NU664C MIDTERM EXAM SCRIPT 2026
FULL SOLUTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ Which brain areas show hyperactivity in OCD? Answer: Orbitofrontal
cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, caudate nucleus — overactive cortico-
striatal-thalamo-cortical loop.
⩥ What is the prevalence of anxiety disorders in females vs males?
Answer: Approximately 2:1 female-to-male ratio.
⩥ Which neurotransmitters are altered in anxiety disorders? Answer: ↓
GABA, ↓ Serotonin, ↑ Norepinephrine; ↑ Cortisol.
⩥ What are first-line treatments for most anxiety disorders? Answer:
CBT (especially exposure-based) + SSRIs or SNRIs.
⩥ What medication is useful for GAD but not effective for panic
disorder? Answer: Buspirone.
⩥ What is the treatment of choice for OCD? Answer: CBT with
exposure/response prevention (ERP) + SSRI (high dose) or
Clomipramine.
, ⩥ What medication helps PTSD-related nightmares? Answer: Prazosin.
⩥ How long must symptoms persist for GAD diagnosis? Answer: ≥6
months of excessive worry + ≥3 physical symptoms (e.g., tension,
restlessness).
⩥ How does acute stress disorder differ from PTSD? Answer: Duration
<1 month; PTSD ≥1 month.
⩥ What are key symptoms of somatic symptom disorder? Answer: One
or more somatic symptoms with excessive anxiety, thoughts, or
behaviors for ≥6 months.
⩥ What defines conversion disorder? Answer: Neurologic symptoms
incompatible with medical findings; often stress-related.
⩥ What differentiates factitious disorder from malingering? Answer:
Factitious = internal gain (sick role); malingering = external gain.
⩥ What is illness anxiety disorder? Answer: Preoccupation with having
a serious illness despite minimal or no symptoms; ≥6 months.
⩥ Diagnostic criteria for MDD? Answer: ≥5 SIGECAPS symptoms for
≥2 weeks, with depressed mood or anhedonia required.
FULL SOLUTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ Which brain areas show hyperactivity in OCD? Answer: Orbitofrontal
cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, caudate nucleus — overactive cortico-
striatal-thalamo-cortical loop.
⩥ What is the prevalence of anxiety disorders in females vs males?
Answer: Approximately 2:1 female-to-male ratio.
⩥ Which neurotransmitters are altered in anxiety disorders? Answer: ↓
GABA, ↓ Serotonin, ↑ Norepinephrine; ↑ Cortisol.
⩥ What are first-line treatments for most anxiety disorders? Answer:
CBT (especially exposure-based) + SSRIs or SNRIs.
⩥ What medication is useful for GAD but not effective for panic
disorder? Answer: Buspirone.
⩥ What is the treatment of choice for OCD? Answer: CBT with
exposure/response prevention (ERP) + SSRI (high dose) or
Clomipramine.
, ⩥ What medication helps PTSD-related nightmares? Answer: Prazosin.
⩥ How long must symptoms persist for GAD diagnosis? Answer: ≥6
months of excessive worry + ≥3 physical symptoms (e.g., tension,
restlessness).
⩥ How does acute stress disorder differ from PTSD? Answer: Duration
<1 month; PTSD ≥1 month.
⩥ What are key symptoms of somatic symptom disorder? Answer: One
or more somatic symptoms with excessive anxiety, thoughts, or
behaviors for ≥6 months.
⩥ What defines conversion disorder? Answer: Neurologic symptoms
incompatible with medical findings; often stress-related.
⩥ What differentiates factitious disorder from malingering? Answer:
Factitious = internal gain (sick role); malingering = external gain.
⩥ What is illness anxiety disorder? Answer: Preoccupation with having
a serious illness despite minimal or no symptoms; ≥6 months.
⩥ Diagnostic criteria for MDD? Answer: ≥5 SIGECAPS symptoms for
≥2 weeks, with depressed mood or anhedonia required.
