Mood disorders: curriculum recognition: 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: curriculum recognition

Sample item

A depressed patient who takes no medication has markedly slowed speech, long delays before answering and reduced spontaneous movement, but responds appropriately and shows no posturing or negativism. Which term describes this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Psychomotor retardation

Slowing of thought, speech and movement is a core feature of melancholic depression. Stupor in catatonia comes with mutism, posturing or negativism. Agitation is the opposite state of restlessness.

Option by option

  • A. Drug-induced bradykinesia

    Drug-induced slowing needs a dopamine-blocking drug exposure.

  • B. Catatonic stupor

    Catatonic stupor involves unresponsiveness with posturing and negativism.

  • C. Psychomotor agitation

    Agitation involves purposeless excess movement.

  • D. Psychomotor retardation (correct)

    Correct. Generalised slowing in a depressed patient fits.

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, Psychomotor retardation. Slowing of thought, speech and movement is a core feature of melancholic depression.

Why is "Drug-induced bradykinesia" not the answer?

Drug-induced slowing needs a dopamine-blocking drug exposure.

Why is "Catatonic stupor" not the answer?

Catatonic stupor involves unresponsiveness with posturing and negativism.

Why is "Psychomotor agitation" not the answer?

Agitation involves purposeless excess movement.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: curriculum recognition in Psychiatry. Stupor in catatonia comes with mutism, posturing or negativism. Agitation is the opposite state of restlessness.

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: curriculum recognition?

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.