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 duration is required for a major depressive episode diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. At least two weeks

A major depressive episode requires depressed mood or anhedonia plus associated symptoms causing impairment for at least two weeks.

Option by option

  • A. At least two days

    Two days is too short for major episode.

  • B. At least one year

    One year is not required.

  • C. At least six months

    Six months is used in other conditions.

  • D. At least two weeks (correct)

    Correct: two weeks is the minimum diagnostic duration.

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, At least two weeks. A major depressive episode requires depressed mood or anhedonia plus associated symptoms causing impairment for at least two weeks.

Why is "At least two days" not the answer?

Two days is too short for major episode.

Why is "At least one year" not the answer?

One year is not required.

Why is "At least six months" not the answer?

Six months is used in other conditions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: two weeks is the minimum diagnostic duration.

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.