Trauma: adjustment 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 · Trauma: adjustment disorder

Sample item

A man develops low mood, tearfulness and difficulty working within 2 weeks of losing his job. Full criteria for major depression are not met. The diagnosis is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Adjustment disorder

Adjustment disorder is an emotional or behavioural reaction to an identifiable stressor with onset within 3 months, usually resolving within 6 months after the stressor ends. It is diagnosed when criteria for another disorder are not met.

Option by option

  • A. Bipolar II disorder

    Bipolar II requires hypomanic episodes.

  • B. Dysthymia

    Dysthymia requires at least 2 years of low mood.

  • C. Adjustment disorder (correct)

    Correct. A time-limited reaction to a stressor is adjustment disorder.

  • D. Generalised anxiety disorder

    GAD requires 6 months of generalised worry.

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, Adjustment disorder. Adjustment disorder is an emotional or behavioural reaction to an identifiable stressor with onset within 3 months, usually resolving within 6 months after the stressor ends.

Why is "Bipolar II disorder" not the answer?

Bipolar II requires hypomanic episodes.

Why is "Dysthymia" not the answer?

Dysthymia requires at least 2 years of low mood.

Why is "Generalised anxiety disorder" not the answer?

GAD requires 6 months of generalised worry.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma: adjustment disorder in Psychiatry. It is diagnosed when criteria for another disorder are not met.

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 Trauma: adjustment 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.