Anxiety 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 · Anxiety disorders

Sample item

What is the defining feature of a panic attack?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Abrupt surge of intense fear with physical symptoms

A panic attack is a rapid peak of intense fear or discomfort with autonomic and cognitive symptoms such as palpitations, dyspnoea, and fear of dying.

Option by option

  • A. Abrupt surge of intense fear with physical symptoms (correct)

    Correct: abrupt intense episodic fear defines panic.

  • B. Persistent low mood for months

    Low mood defines depression.

  • C. Repeated intrusive contamination thoughts only

    Intrusions may occur in OCD.

  • D. Fixed bizarre belief

    Bizarre belief is delusional.

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, Abrupt surge of intense fear with physical symptoms. A panic attack is a rapid peak of intense fear or discomfort with autonomic and cognitive symptoms such as palpitations, dyspnoea, and fear of dying.

Why is "Persistent low mood for months" not the answer?

Low mood defines depression.

Why is "Repeated intrusive contamination thoughts only" not the answer?

Intrusions may occur in OCD.

Why is "Fixed bizarre belief" not the answer?

Bizarre belief is delusional.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety disorders in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: abrupt intense episodic fear defines panic.

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 Anxiety 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.