Psychology Test Bank – Psychological
Disorders (Batch 1)
Q1. Which of the following best defines a psychological
disorder?
A. A temporary state of stress
B. A culturally approved behavior
C. A pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant, distressful, and
dysfunctional
D. A rare but normal emotional reaction
✅ Answer: C. A pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant,
distressful, and dysfunctional
Rationale: Psychological disorders must interfere with daily life and deviate from
typical behavior.
Q2. Which manual is most commonly used by clinicians to
diagnose mental disorders?
A. ICD-10
B. APA Handbook
C. DSM-5
D. NIH Guide
✅ Answer: C. DSM-5
Rationale: The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th
edition) is the standard in the U.S.
Q3. A person who has sudden, intense episodes of fear,
accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, may
be suffering from:
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D. Specific phobia
✅ Answer: B. Panic disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder involves recurring panic attacks that occur unpredictably.
, Q4. Persistent and excessive worry lasting six months or more
is characteristic of:
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. PTSD
✅ Answer: B. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: GAD includes chronic, uncontrollable worry about a range of topics.
Q5. Which of the following is a common symptom of major
depressive disorder?
A. Delusions
B. Periods of elevated mood
C. Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
D. Manic behavior
✅ Answer: C. Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
Rationale: Anhedonia (loss of pleasure) is a core feature of depression.
Q6. Bipolar disorder is characterized by:
A. Only depressive episodes
B. Only manic episodes
C. Alternating periods of depression and mania
D. Persistent sadness
✅ Answer: C. Alternating periods of depression and mania
Rationale: Bipolar disorder involves mood swings between depression and mania.
Q7. What distinguishes obsessions from compulsions in OCD?
A. Obsessions are repetitive actions; compulsions are thoughts
B. Obsessions are irrational fears; compulsions are attempts to reduce anxiety
C. Obsessions are conscious decisions; compulsions are hallucinations
D. Obsessions occur only at night; compulsions only during the day
✅ Answer: B. Obsessions are irrational fears; compulsions are attempts to
reduce anxiety
Rationale: Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, while compulsions are behaviors done
to relieve the anxiety.
Disorders (Batch 1)
Q1. Which of the following best defines a psychological
disorder?
A. A temporary state of stress
B. A culturally approved behavior
C. A pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant, distressful, and
dysfunctional
D. A rare but normal emotional reaction
✅ Answer: C. A pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant,
distressful, and dysfunctional
Rationale: Psychological disorders must interfere with daily life and deviate from
typical behavior.
Q2. Which manual is most commonly used by clinicians to
diagnose mental disorders?
A. ICD-10
B. APA Handbook
C. DSM-5
D. NIH Guide
✅ Answer: C. DSM-5
Rationale: The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th
edition) is the standard in the U.S.
Q3. A person who has sudden, intense episodes of fear,
accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, may
be suffering from:
A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Panic disorder
C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D. Specific phobia
✅ Answer: B. Panic disorder
Rationale: Panic disorder involves recurring panic attacks that occur unpredictably.
, Q4. Persistent and excessive worry lasting six months or more
is characteristic of:
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. PTSD
✅ Answer: B. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: GAD includes chronic, uncontrollable worry about a range of topics.
Q5. Which of the following is a common symptom of major
depressive disorder?
A. Delusions
B. Periods of elevated mood
C. Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
D. Manic behavior
✅ Answer: C. Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
Rationale: Anhedonia (loss of pleasure) is a core feature of depression.
Q6. Bipolar disorder is characterized by:
A. Only depressive episodes
B. Only manic episodes
C. Alternating periods of depression and mania
D. Persistent sadness
✅ Answer: C. Alternating periods of depression and mania
Rationale: Bipolar disorder involves mood swings between depression and mania.
Q7. What distinguishes obsessions from compulsions in OCD?
A. Obsessions are repetitive actions; compulsions are thoughts
B. Obsessions are irrational fears; compulsions are attempts to reduce anxiety
C. Obsessions are conscious decisions; compulsions are hallucinations
D. Obsessions occur only at night; compulsions only during the day
✅ Answer: B. Obsessions are irrational fears; compulsions are attempts to
reduce anxiety
Rationale: Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, while compulsions are behaviors done
to relieve the anxiety.
