Anxiety disorders: panic disorder: 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: panic disorder

Sample item

A 30-year-old has recurrent sudden episodes of palpitations, sweating, fear of dying and breathlessness, peaking within 10 minutes. Between attacks, he fears another attack. The recommended long-term pharmacological treatment is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. An SSRI

Panic disorder is recurrent unexpected panic attacks followed by at least a month of persistent worry or behavioural change. SSRIs and CBT are first-line, with benzodiazepines used briefly because of dependence risk.

Option by option

  • A. Haloperidol

    Antipsychotics have no role.

  • B. An SSRI (correct)

    Correct. SSRIs (with CBT) are first-line maintenance therapy.

  • C. Lithium

    Lithium is not indicated.

  • D. Regular alprazolam alone

    Regular benzodiazepines risk dependence and are not first-line long term.

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 B, An SSRI. Panic disorder is recurrent unexpected panic attacks followed by at least a month of persistent worry or behavioural change.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Antipsychotics have no role.

Why is "Lithium" not the answer?

Lithium is not indicated.

Why is "Regular alprazolam alone" not the answer?

Regular benzodiazepines risk dependence and are not first-line long term.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety disorders: panic disorder in Psychiatry. SSRIs and CBT are first-line, with benzodiazepines used briefly because of dependence risk.

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: panic disorder?

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.