Mood disorders: atypical depression: 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: atypical depression

Sample item

A 25-year-old has depression with reactive mood, hypersomnia, increased appetite, heaviness of the limbs and marked sensitivity to rejection. Which drug class has historically been particularly effective?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. MAO inhibitors

Atypical features are mood reactivity with at least two of hypersomnia, hyperphagia, leaden paralysis and interpersonal rejection sensitivity. MAOIs show relatively better response than tricyclics, though SSRIs are used first in practice.

Option by option

  • A. Anticholinergics

    Anticholinergics have no antidepressant action.

  • B. Typical antipsychotics

    Typical antipsychotics are not indicated for non-psychotic depression.

  • C. MAO inhibitors (correct)

    Correct. MAOIs have shown superior response in atypical depression.

  • D. Benzodiazepines

    Benzodiazepines are not antidepressants.

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 C, MAO inhibitors. Atypical features are mood reactivity with at least two of hypersomnia, hyperphagia, leaden paralysis and interpersonal rejection sensitivity.

Why is "Anticholinergics" not the answer?

Anticholinergics have no antidepressant action.

Why is "Typical antipsychotics" not the answer?

Typical antipsychotics are not indicated for non-psychotic depression.

Why is "Benzodiazepines" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines are not antidepressants.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: atypical depression in Psychiatry. MAOIs show relatively better response than tricyclics, though SSRIs are used first in practice.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: atypical depression?

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.