Anxiety disorders: GAD pharmacotherapy: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Anxiety disorders: GAD pharmacotherapy

Sample item

For long-term pharmacological treatment of generalised anxiety disorder, which is first-line?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. An SSRI or SNRI

SSRIs and SNRIs such as escitalopram, sertraline or venlafaxine are first-line for generalised anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepines are for short-term relief because of dependence and tolerance. Buspirone and pregabalin are alternatives.

Option by option

  • A. An antipsychotic

    Antipsychotics are not first-line for anxiety.

  • B. A long-term benzodiazepine

    Long-term benzodiazepines cause tolerance and dependence.

  • C. A barbiturate

    Barbiturates are obsolete because of dependence and overdose risk.

  • D. An SSRI or SNRI (correct)

    Correct. SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line for long-term use.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, An SSRI or SNRI. SSRIs and SNRIs such as escitalopram, sertraline or venlafaxine are first-line for generalised anxiety disorder.

Why is "An antipsychotic" not the answer?

Antipsychotics are not first-line for anxiety.

Why is "A long-term benzodiazepine" not the answer?

Long-term benzodiazepines cause tolerance and dependence.

Why is "A barbiturate" not the answer?

Barbiturates are obsolete because of dependence and overdose risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety disorders: GAD pharmacotherapy in Psychiatry. Benzodiazepines are for short-term relief because of dependence and tolerance. Buspirone and pregabalin are alternatives.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Anxiety disorders: GAD pharmacotherapy?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.