FREE Psychology Degree Abnormal Psychology Disorders Questions and Answers

Question 1

A client presents with a persistent and irrational fear of social situations, particularly those involving public speaking or meeting new people.
They often experience intense anxiety, panic attacks, and avoidance behaviors in these contexts, significantly impairing their occupational and social functioning.
Which of the following DSM-5 disorders best describes this presentation?

Accepted Answer

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Answer

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Answer

Panic Disorder

Answer

Agoraphobia

Question 2

Which of the following symptoms is a hallmark diagnostic criterion for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and must be present for a diagnosis, along with other symptoms, for at least two weeks?

Accepted Answer

Depressed mood or anhedonia

Answer

Recurrent intrusive thoughts

Answer

Manic or hypomanic episodes

Answer

Persistent feelings of grandiosity

Question 3

A 28-year-old individual frequently experiences abrupt, intense surges of fear that reach a peak within minutes, accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and dizziness. These attacks occur unexpectedly and have led to significant worry about future attacks and changes in behavior to avoid them. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Panic Disorder

Answer

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Answer

Specific Phobia

Answer

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Question 4

Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa often exhibit a severe restriction of energy intake leading to a significantly low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and what other key psychological characteristic?

Accepted Answer

A distorted body image or undue influence of body shape/weight on self-evaluation

Answer

A history of binge-eating followed by compensatory behaviors

Answer

Recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period

Answer

Episodes of severe mood swings alternating between euphoria and depression

Question 5

Which of the following describes a key difference between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

Accepted Answer

OCPD involves a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, whereas OCD involves specific obsessions and compulsions.

Answer

OCD symptoms are ego-syntonic, while OCPD symptoms are ego-dystonic.

Answer

OCD typically has an earlier age of onset than OCPD.

Answer

OCPD is primarily treated with exposure and response prevention, while OCD is treated with dialectical behavior therapy.

Question 6

A client reports experiencing periods of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least four days, that are clearly different from their usual mood and are accompanied by increased energy and activity. During these periods, they also exhibit symptoms such as decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, and racing thoughts. However, these episodes are not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning or to necessitate hospitalization. This presentation is most consistent with what type of mood episode?

Accepted Answer

Hypomanic Episode

Answer

Major Depressive Episode

Answer

Manic Episode

Answer

Mixed Features Episode