Anxiety disorders: 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 · Anxiety disorders

Sample item

A musician has marked tremor, palpitations and sweating only before public performances, with no symptoms otherwise. Which drug is most suitable for situational use?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Propranolol

Performance anxiety is a limited form of social anxiety in which the symptoms are largely adrenergic. A beta-blocker such as propranolol taken before the event blunts tremor and tachycardia. Generalised social anxiety disorder is treated with SSRIs and cognitive behaviour therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Haloperidol

    Haloperidol is an antipsychotic with no role in situational anxiety.

  • B. Fluoxetine

    Fluoxetine takes weeks to act and is used for generalised social anxiety, not for as-needed use.

  • C. Propranolol (correct)

    Correct. Beta-blockade controls the peripheral autonomic symptoms of performance anxiety.

  • D. Buspirone

    Buspirone also takes weeks to work and is not useful for single events.

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.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Propranolol. Performance anxiety is a limited form of social anxiety in which the symptoms are largely adrenergic.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic with no role in situational anxiety.

Why is "Fluoxetine" not the answer?

Fluoxetine takes weeks to act and is used for generalised social anxiety, not for as-needed use.

Why is "Buspirone" not the answer?

Buspirone also takes weeks to work and is not useful for single events.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety disorders in Psychiatry. A beta-blocker such as propranolol taken before the event blunts tremor and tachycardia. Generalised social anxiety disorder is treated with SSRIs and cognitive behaviour therapy.

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 Anxiety disorders?

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.