Depressive disorders: bereavement: 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 · Depressive disorders: bereavement

Sample item

Fourteen months after her spouse died, an adult remains intensely preoccupied with the deceased, avoids reminders of the death, and cannot resume work. Her reaction clearly exceeds cultural expectations. Which diagnosis should be considered?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Prolonged grief disorder

Prolonged grief disorder in adults requires persistent, impairing grief after the death of a close person, with the loss occurring at least 12 months earlier. The syndrome includes intense yearning or preoccupation plus associated grief symptoms.

Option by option

  • A. Normal acute grief

    Acute grief commonly fluctuates and should not be pathologized solely because someone is bereaved.

  • B. Adjustment disorder

    Adjustment disorder is used when another specific stress-related disorder does not better account for the presentation.

  • C. Manic episode

    Mania causes elevated or irritable mood with increased energy, not grief-focused yearning.

  • D. Prolonged grief disorder (correct)

    Correct. Duration, functional impairment, and persistent grief-specific symptoms support this diagnosis.

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, Prolonged grief disorder. Prolonged grief disorder in adults requires persistent, impairing grief after the death of a close person, with the loss occurring at least 12 months earlier.

Why is "Normal acute grief" not the answer?

Acute grief commonly fluctuates and should not be pathologized solely because someone is bereaved.

Why is "Adjustment disorder" not the answer?

Adjustment disorder is used when another specific stress-related disorder does not better account for the presentation.

Why is "Manic episode" not the answer?

Mania causes elevated or irritable mood with increased energy, not grief-focused yearning.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Depressive disorders: bereavement in Psychiatry. The syndrome includes intense yearning or preoccupation plus associated grief symptoms.

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 Depressive disorders: bereavement?

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.