Mood disorders: kindling in bipolar 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 · Mood disorders: kindling in bipolar disorder

Sample item

In bipolar disorder, successive episodes tend to come closer together and later ones occur without any stressor. Which hypothesis explains this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Kindling

The kindling hypothesis proposes that each episode sensitises neural circuits so later episodes need less provocation, as repeated subthreshold stimulation eventually produces seizures. It is used to argue for early and sustained mood-stabiliser treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Learned helplessness

    Learned helplessness explains depressive passivity after uncontrollable stress.

  • B. Cognitive triad

    The cognitive triad of negative views of self, world and future is Beck's model of depression.

  • C. Monoamine depletion

    Monoamine depletion is a biochemical hypothesis of depression, not of increasing frequency.

  • D. Kindling (correct)

    Correct. Episodes sensitise the brain, so later ones appear spontaneously and more often.

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 D, Kindling. The kindling hypothesis proposes that each episode sensitises neural circuits so later episodes need less provocation, as repeated subthreshold stimulation eventually produces seizures.

Why is "Learned helplessness" not the answer?

Learned helplessness explains depressive passivity after uncontrollable stress.

Why is "Cognitive triad" not the answer?

The cognitive triad of negative views of self, world and future is Beck's model of depression.

Why is "Monoamine depletion" not the answer?

Monoamine depletion is a biochemical hypothesis of depression, not of increasing frequency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: kindling in bipolar disorder in Psychiatry. It is used to argue for early and sustained mood-stabiliser treatment.

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: kindling in bipolar 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.