Depressive Disorders is part of the Mood Disorders section of Psychiatry. Practise 31 exam-style MCQs for NEET PG, FMGE, INI-CET and NEET SS, each with the correct answer and a detailed explanation.
Depressive Disorders MCQs work through the many faces of depression — atypical features with mood reactivity, postpartum depression, grief versus major depression, and SSRI first-line treatment — high-yield NEET PG psychiatry.
Sample Depressive Disorders MCQs with answers
Sample MCQ #1
What percentage of new mothers is believed to develop postpartum depression?
A<1%
B10-15%
C25-30%
D35-40%
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: B. 10-15%
Postpartum depression is relatively common, occurring in about 10% to 15% of new mothers. Symptoms are indistinguishable from those characteristics of nonpsychotic major depression and usually develop insidiously over the 6 months following delivery. Some women , however, experience an acute onset of symptoms immediately after delivery and occasionally depression starts during pregnancy. Ambivalence toward the child and doubts about the mother's own parenting abilities are common, but the rate of suicide is low. Reference : Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, Eleventh Edition, Chapter 27th, Psychiatry and Reproductive Medicine, Page no. 839.
Sample MCQ #2
What is the feature of atypical depression?
AThe individual shows psychotic symptoms that align with depressive themes
BThere is a marked decrease in sleep and a high level of energy
CMood brightens in response to positive events, with symptoms like weight gain and hypersomnia
DThe presence of severe agitation and distinct despair
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: C. Mood brightens in response to positive events, with symptoms like weight gain and hypersomnia
Explanation: Atypical depression is defined by mood reactivity (mood improves with positive events) along with features like increased appetite/weight gain, hypersomnia, leaden paralysis, and rejection sensitivity.
Sample MCQ #3
All of the following symptoms are a common overlap in grief and Major Depressive Disorder, except:
ASleep impairment
BWeight loss
CWorthlessness
DIrritability
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: C. Worthlessness
Symptoms like sadness, sleep impairment, appetite impairment and weight loss can be similar symptoms in both grief and MDD. (Option A, B & D) However, symptoms like worthlessness, hopelessness and suicidal ideation are infrequent in grief and if present, may be only in context of the bereaved person. Self-esteem (self-worth) is usually preserved in grief. Reference: Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry, Chapter 34 End of life issues, Page number 1356.
Sample MCQ #4
A 38 year old female, presents to OPD with complaints of persistent sadness, sleeping problems, loss of interest in activities and poor appetite for past few months. As per her condition, she is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which drug is the most appropriate for initial treatment?
ALithium
BBuspirone
CHaloperidol
DFluoxetine
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: D. Fluoxetine
SSRI is the first line management for depression Reference: Kaplan and Saddocks Synopsis of Psychiaitry, 11th Edition, Clinical Practice Guideline for Depression, Chapter 8, Page No.: 375
Sample MCQ #5
What happens to the time between depressive episodes as a patient experience more episodes?
AIt increases
BIt decreases
CIt remains constant
DIt becomes unpredictable
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: B. It decreases
Explanation: As a patient experiences more depressive episodes, the time between episodes generally decreases and episodes become more frequent over time.
Sample MCQ #6
A young boy feels that dirt has hung onto him whenever he passes through the dirty street. He knows that there is actually no such thing after he has cleaned once but he is not satisfied and compelled to think so. Although he knows that this is completely irrational but he can't control his thoughts. It gives him anxiety and depressive mood. Which of the following is wrong about his condition?
AEgo dystonic
BSerotonin imbalance
CExposure therapy and response prevention can be supportive
DNo risk of depression
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: D. No risk of depression
This is a case of OCD. OCD patients can easily slip into depression as it is ego dystonic. Reference: Kaplan and Saddocks Synopsis of Psychiaitry, 11th Edition, Chapter 10, Page No.: 418
Sample MCQ #7
A junior resident of general surgery department is washing his hands for 45 minutes before he gets ready for any procedure in OT. Many a times he got scolded by his seniors for wasting so much time. He complains that he doesn't get satisfied after washing his hands for one time. Although he knows that this is completely irrational but he can't control his thoughts. It gives him anxiety and depressive mood. Which of the following is wrong about his condition?
AEgo dystonic
BJudgement power is normal
CInsight is present
DReality testing is absent
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: D. Reality testing is absent
Clinical scenario depicts OCD. It's a neurotic condition and patient is intact with the reality. Reference: Kaplan and Saddocks Synopsis of Psychiaitry, 11th Edition, Chapter 10, Page No.: 421
Sample MCQ #8
All of the following delusional themes are mood congruent in a patient of Major Depressive Disorder, except:
ADelusion of guilt
BDelusion of poverty
CDelusion of nihilism
DDelusion of grandeur
Show Answer & Explanation ▾
✓ Correct Answer: D. Delusion of grandeur
In depression , delusions of guilt, poverty, nihilism, reference are commonly seen to be mood-congruent However, grandiose delusions in which a person believes himself to be of supreme importance is commonly seen as a feature of mania and not depression Reference: Fish's Clinical Psychopathology, third edition, Chapter 4 Disorders of Thought and Speech, Page no. 51
What you can practise in Depressive Disorders
31 Depressive Disorders MCQs on Mood Disorders — each with detailed explanations
Previous-year question practice across NEET PG, FMGE, INI-CET and NEET SS
Progress and performance tracking to measure retention
Depressive Disorders MCQs work through the many faces of depression — atypical features with mood reactivity, postpartum depression, grief versus major depression, and SSRI first-line treatment — high-yield NEET PG psychiatry.
How many Depressive Disorders questions are there, and which exams do they cover?
MedLadder includes 31 curated MCQs for Depressive Disorders under Psychiatry (Mood Disorders), covering NEET PG, FMGE, INI-CET and NEET SS preparation.
