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 distinguishes bipolar II disorder from bipolar I disorder?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hypomania without history of mania

Bipolar II disorder involves hypomanic and major depressive episodes but no manic episode; a manic episode establishes bipolar I.

Option by option

  • A. Hypomania without history of mania (correct)

    Correct: absence of full mania defines bipolar II.

  • B. Psychosis during every depression

    Psychosis is not required in every episode.

  • C. No depressive episodes ever

    Depression commonly occurs in bipolar II.

  • D. Onset only after age 65

    It can begin before old age.

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 A, Hypomania without history of mania. Bipolar II disorder involves hypomanic and major depressive episodes but no manic episode; a manic episode establishes bipolar I.

Why is "Psychosis during every depression" not the answer?

Psychosis is not required in every episode.

Why is "No depressive episodes ever" not the answer?

Depression commonly occurs in bipolar II.

Why is "Onset only after age 65" not the answer?

It can begin before old age.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: absence of full mania defines bipolar II.

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.