Abnormal Psychology Exam 2026 | DSM-5 Practice
Questions & Rationales
1. A client reports excessive worry occurring more days than not for the past 8 months.
Which diagnosis is most consistent with DSM-5 criteria?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Acute Stress Disorder
Answer: B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD) as excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months, accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension,
and sleep disturbance.
2. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with major depressive disorder?
A. Dopamine only
B. Acetylcholine
C. Serotonin
D. Histamine
Answer: C. Serotonin
Rationale: Low serotonin activity is strongly linked with depressive symptoms such as
sadness, hopelessness, sleep problems, and appetite changes. Dopamine and
norepinephrine may also play roles.
3. A patient experiences recurrent unexpected panic attacks followed by fear of future
attacks. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Panic Disorder
B. Agoraphobia
C. Specific Phobia
D. Illness Anxiety Disorder
Answer: A. Panic Disorder
,Rationale: Panic Disorder involves repeated unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern
or behavioral changes related to future attacks.
4. Which disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors?
A. Bipolar Disorder
B. OCD
C. PTSD
D. Dissociative Disorder
Answer: B. OCD
Rationale: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and
compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety).
5. A client hears voices that are not present. This symptom is called:
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Illusion
D. Compulsion
Answer: B. Hallucination
Rationale: Hallucinations are sensory perceptions occurring without external stimuli.
Auditory hallucinations are common in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
6. Which symptom is considered a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Flat affect
D. Disorganized speech
Answer: C. Flat affect
Rationale: Negative symptoms reflect reduced emotional or behavioral functioning. Flat
affect, avolition, and social withdrawal are classic examples.
7. Persistent elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, and grandiosity are characteristic of:
A. Major Depression
B. Cyclothymic Disorder
, C. Mania
D. Persistent Depressive Disorder
Answer: C. Mania
Rationale: Mania includes abnormally elevated mood, increased energy, impulsivity,
decreased sleep, and inflated self-esteem lasting at least one week.
8. Which defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality?
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Denial
D. Regression
Answer: C. Denial
Rationale: Denial protects the individual from anxiety by refusing to acknowledge painful
realities or facts.
9. PTSD symptoms must persist for at least:
A. 2 days
B. 1 week
C. 1 month
D. 6 months
Answer: C. 1 month
Rationale: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder requires symptoms lasting more than one month
following exposure to trauma.
10. A person repeatedly checks locks due to fear of burglary. The checking behavior is a:
A. Delusion
B. Obsession
C. Compulsion
D. Hallucination
Answer: C. Compulsion
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety caused by
obsessions.
Questions & Rationales
1. A client reports excessive worry occurring more days than not for the past 8 months.
Which diagnosis is most consistent with DSM-5 criteria?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Acute Stress Disorder
Answer: B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD) as excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months, accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension,
and sleep disturbance.
2. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with major depressive disorder?
A. Dopamine only
B. Acetylcholine
C. Serotonin
D. Histamine
Answer: C. Serotonin
Rationale: Low serotonin activity is strongly linked with depressive symptoms such as
sadness, hopelessness, sleep problems, and appetite changes. Dopamine and
norepinephrine may also play roles.
3. A patient experiences recurrent unexpected panic attacks followed by fear of future
attacks. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Panic Disorder
B. Agoraphobia
C. Specific Phobia
D. Illness Anxiety Disorder
Answer: A. Panic Disorder
,Rationale: Panic Disorder involves repeated unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern
or behavioral changes related to future attacks.
4. Which disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors?
A. Bipolar Disorder
B. OCD
C. PTSD
D. Dissociative Disorder
Answer: B. OCD
Rationale: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and
compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety).
5. A client hears voices that are not present. This symptom is called:
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Illusion
D. Compulsion
Answer: B. Hallucination
Rationale: Hallucinations are sensory perceptions occurring without external stimuli.
Auditory hallucinations are common in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
6. Which symptom is considered a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Flat affect
D. Disorganized speech
Answer: C. Flat affect
Rationale: Negative symptoms reflect reduced emotional or behavioral functioning. Flat
affect, avolition, and social withdrawal are classic examples.
7. Persistent elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, and grandiosity are characteristic of:
A. Major Depression
B. Cyclothymic Disorder
, C. Mania
D. Persistent Depressive Disorder
Answer: C. Mania
Rationale: Mania includes abnormally elevated mood, increased energy, impulsivity,
decreased sleep, and inflated self-esteem lasting at least one week.
8. Which defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality?
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Denial
D. Regression
Answer: C. Denial
Rationale: Denial protects the individual from anxiety by refusing to acknowledge painful
realities or facts.
9. PTSD symptoms must persist for at least:
A. 2 days
B. 1 week
C. 1 month
D. 6 months
Answer: C. 1 month
Rationale: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder requires symptoms lasting more than one month
following exposure to trauma.
10. A person repeatedly checks locks due to fear of burglary. The checking behavior is a:
A. Delusion
B. Obsession
C. Compulsion
D. Hallucination
Answer: C. Compulsion
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety caused by
obsessions.
