Mood disorders: lithium response predictors: 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: lithium response predictors

Sample item

Which patient with bipolar disorder is most likely to respond well to lithium prophylaxis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Classic euphoric mania with full inter-episode recovery and a family history of bipolar disorder

Good lithium response is associated with classic euphoric mania, a mania-depression-interval course, complete recovery between episodes and a family history of bipolar disorder. Rapid cycling, mixed states and continuous symptoms predict poorer response.

Option by option

  • A. Classic euphoric mania with full inter-episode recovery and a family history of bipolar disorder (correct)

    Correct. Typical euphoric episodes with clear remission and family loading predict lithium response.

  • B. Mood episodes only after substance use

    Substance-induced mood episodes are not treated by lithium prophylaxis in this way.

  • C. Bipolar illness with continuous low-grade mood symptoms

    Continuous mood symptoms without euthymia predict a weaker response.

  • D. Rapid cycling with frequent mixed episodes

    Rapid cycling and mixed episodes are poorer responders to lithium.

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 A, Classic euphoric mania with full inter-episode recovery and a family history of bipolar disorder. Good lithium response is associated with classic euphoric mania, a mania-depression-interval course, complete recovery between episodes and a family history of bipolar disorder.

Why is "Mood episodes only after substance use" not the answer?

Substance-induced mood episodes are not treated by lithium prophylaxis in this way.

Why is "Bipolar illness with continuous low-grade mood symptoms" not the answer?

Continuous mood symptoms without euthymia predict a weaker response.

Why is "Rapid cycling with frequent mixed episodes" not the answer?

Rapid cycling and mixed episodes are poorer responders to lithium.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: lithium response predictors in Psychiatry. Rapid cycling, mixed states and continuous symptoms predict poorer response.

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: lithium response predictors?

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.