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 symptom is central to a major depressive episode?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Low mood or anhedonia

A major depressive episode requires persistent depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure, with associated cognitive, biological, and functional symptoms.

Option by option

  • A. Elevated energy

    Elevated energy suggests mania or hypomania.

  • B. Low mood or anhedonia (correct)

    Correct: low mood or anhedonia is required for major depression.

  • C. Flashback only

    Flashbacks are a trauma-related symptom.

  • D. Compulsive counting

    Compulsive counting suggests obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

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.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Low mood or anhedonia. A major depressive episode requires persistent depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure, with associated cognitive, biological, and functional symptoms.

Why is "Elevated energy" not the answer?

Elevated energy suggests mania or hypomania.

Why is "Flashback only" not the answer?

Flashbacks are a trauma-related symptom.

Why is "Compulsive counting" not the answer?

Compulsive counting suggests obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: low mood or anhedonia is required for major depression.

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.