Mood disorders: seasonal pattern: 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: seasonal pattern

Sample item

A woman has depression every winter with hypersomnia, carbohydrate craving and weight gain, remitting in spring. Which treatment is specifically effective?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Bright light therapy

The seasonal pattern specifier describes episodes recurring at a particular time of year, usually winter. Bright light therapy (about 10,000 lux in the morning) is a first-line treatment, alongside SSRIs.

Option by option

  • A. Lithium alone

    Lithium is not the specific treatment of seasonal depression.

  • B. Bright light therapy (correct)

    Correct. Morning bright light is the specific treatment.

  • C. Benzodiazepines

    Benzodiazepines do not treat depression.

  • D. Sleep deprivation every night

    Repeated sleep deprivation is not a routine remedy and can destabilise mood.

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, Bright light therapy. The seasonal pattern specifier describes episodes recurring at a particular time of year, usually winter.

Why is "Lithium alone" not the answer?

Lithium is not the specific treatment of seasonal depression.

Why is "Benzodiazepines" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines do not treat depression.

Why is "Sleep deprivation every night" not the answer?

Repeated sleep deprivation is not a routine remedy and can destabilise mood.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: seasonal pattern in Psychiatry. Bright light therapy (about 10,000 lux in the morning) is a first-line treatment, alongside SSRIs.

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: seasonal pattern?

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.