Mood disorders: 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 · Mood disorders

Sample item

What is important before starting an antidepressant in possible bipolar disorder?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Screen for past mania or hypomania

Antidepressants may destabilize mood in bipolar disorder, so past manic or hypomanic episodes and family history should be assessed first.

Option by option

  • A. Ignore family history

    Family history can provide relevant bipolar risk information.

  • B. Avoid mood assessment

    Mood assessment is essential before antidepressant planning.

  • C. Check visual acuity only

    Visual acuity does not distinguish unipolar from bipolar depression.

  • D. Screen for past mania or hypomania (correct)

    Correct: screening for bipolarity guides safer treatment.

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, Screen for past mania or hypomania. Antidepressants may destabilize mood in bipolar disorder, so past manic or hypomanic episodes and family history should be assessed first.

Why is "Ignore family history" not the answer?

Family history can provide relevant bipolar risk information.

Why is "Avoid mood assessment" not the answer?

Mood assessment is essential before antidepressant planning.

Why is "Check visual acuity only" not the answer?

Visual acuity does not distinguish unipolar from bipolar depression.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: screening for bipolarity guides safer treatment.

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 Mood disorders?

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.