PSYC 210 | PSYC210 Exam 2: Abnormal Psychology
Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale - Portage Learning
1. A patient reports persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as finances
and health, occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by uncontrollable and
excessive worry for at least six months. This worry must be associated with three or more
physical or cognitive symptoms such as restlessness or fatigue. Unlike panic disorder, GAD
involves a more constant state of tension rather than discrete attacks. Differential diagnosis
requires ruling out worries focused on a single theme like social evaluation. Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy and SSRIs are standard evidence-based treatments for managing these
symptoms.
2. Which neurotransmitter system is most frequently targeted by first-line pharmacological
treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Glutamate
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the primary
pharmacological intervention for most anxiety disorders. These medications work by
increasing the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. Serotonin plays a crucial role in
regulating mood, sleep, and the stress response system. While GABA is also involved in
anxiety, SSRIs are preferred over benzodiazepines for long-term management due to lower
addiction risk. Proper treatment often combines these medications with psychotherapeutic
approaches for maximum efficacy.
,3. A client experiences sudden, intense fear accompanied by heart palpitations, shortness of
breath, and a fear of losing control. These episodes occur unexpectedly. What is the
diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Specific Phobia
C. Agoraphobia
D. Acute Stress Disorder
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Panic Disorder is defined by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks
that reach a peak within minutes. Diagnosis requires at least one month of persistent
concern about additional attacks or significant behavioral changes. The physical symptoms
can often be mistaken for medical emergencies like heart attacks. Interoceptive exposure is
a specific CBT technique used to help patients habituate to these physical sensations.
Understanding the cyclical nature of fear and physical symptoms is essential for effective
clinical management.
4. What is the primary difference between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A. The severity of the trauma experienced
B. The presence of dissociative symptoms
C. The age of the patient
D. The duration of symptoms
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Acute Stress Disorder is diagnosed when symptoms occur within one
month of a traumatic event. If the symptoms persist beyond one month, the diagnosis is
typically changed to PTSD. Both disorders share similar symptom clusters including
intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal. ASD was originally introduced to identify people at
risk for developing chronic PTSD. Early intervention with trauma-focused CBT can help
reduce the likelihood of long-term symptom persistence.
5. A patient presents with a preoccupation with a perceived defect in their physical
appearance that is not observable to others. This causes significant distress. What is the
diagnosis?
A. Anorexia Nervosa
B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
C. Somatic Symptom Disorder
D. Body Dysmorphic Disorder
, Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves an obsessive focus on perceived
flaws in appearance that are minor or non-existent to others. This condition is categorized
under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the DSM-5. Individuals often
perform repetitive behaviors like mirror checking or excessive grooming to manage their
distress. It is distinct from eating disorders because the focus is not specifically on weight
or body fat. High rates of suicidal ideation make early diagnosis and treatment with SSRIs
and CBT critical.
6. Which therapeutic technique involves exposing a patient to their obsession while
preventing them from performing the associated compulsion?
A. Systematic Desensitization
B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
C. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
D. Free Association
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard
behavioral treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The ‘exposure’ part involves
confronting thoughts or situations that trigger anxiety. The ‘response prevention’ part
involves making a choice not to perform a ritualistic behavior. Over time, the patient learns
that the feared consequence does not happen or that the anxiety dissipates naturally. This
process is known as habituation and significantly reduces the power of compulsions over
time.
7. In Somatic Symptom Disorder, the primary focus of clinical concern is:
A. The absence of any physical symptoms
B. The presence of neurological deficits without a cause
C. Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to physical symptoms
D. Intentionally faking symptoms for external rewards
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Somatic Symptom Disorder is characterized by physical symptoms
that are distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life. The diagnosis focuses on
the individual’s excessive reaction to these symptoms rather than the symptoms
themselves. Patients often undergo multiple medical tests and procedures, which usually
fail to provide reassurance. Cognitive factors, such as catastrophic interpretations of bodily
sensations, play a major role in the disorder. Treatment aims to improve functional status
and reduce the preoccupation with illness.
Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale - Portage Learning
1. A patient reports persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as finances
and health, occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by uncontrollable and
excessive worry for at least six months. This worry must be associated with three or more
physical or cognitive symptoms such as restlessness or fatigue. Unlike panic disorder, GAD
involves a more constant state of tension rather than discrete attacks. Differential diagnosis
requires ruling out worries focused on a single theme like social evaluation. Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy and SSRIs are standard evidence-based treatments for managing these
symptoms.
2. Which neurotransmitter system is most frequently targeted by first-line pharmacological
treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Glutamate
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the primary
pharmacological intervention for most anxiety disorders. These medications work by
increasing the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. Serotonin plays a crucial role in
regulating mood, sleep, and the stress response system. While GABA is also involved in
anxiety, SSRIs are preferred over benzodiazepines for long-term management due to lower
addiction risk. Proper treatment often combines these medications with psychotherapeutic
approaches for maximum efficacy.
,3. A client experiences sudden, intense fear accompanied by heart palpitations, shortness of
breath, and a fear of losing control. These episodes occur unexpectedly. What is the
diagnosis?
A. Panic Disorder
B. Specific Phobia
C. Agoraphobia
D. Acute Stress Disorder
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Panic Disorder is defined by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks
that reach a peak within minutes. Diagnosis requires at least one month of persistent
concern about additional attacks or significant behavioral changes. The physical symptoms
can often be mistaken for medical emergencies like heart attacks. Interoceptive exposure is
a specific CBT technique used to help patients habituate to these physical sensations.
Understanding the cyclical nature of fear and physical symptoms is essential for effective
clinical management.
4. What is the primary difference between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A. The severity of the trauma experienced
B. The presence of dissociative symptoms
C. The age of the patient
D. The duration of symptoms
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Acute Stress Disorder is diagnosed when symptoms occur within one
month of a traumatic event. If the symptoms persist beyond one month, the diagnosis is
typically changed to PTSD. Both disorders share similar symptom clusters including
intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal. ASD was originally introduced to identify people at
risk for developing chronic PTSD. Early intervention with trauma-focused CBT can help
reduce the likelihood of long-term symptom persistence.
5. A patient presents with a preoccupation with a perceived defect in their physical
appearance that is not observable to others. This causes significant distress. What is the
diagnosis?
A. Anorexia Nervosa
B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
C. Somatic Symptom Disorder
D. Body Dysmorphic Disorder
, Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves an obsessive focus on perceived
flaws in appearance that are minor or non-existent to others. This condition is categorized
under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the DSM-5. Individuals often
perform repetitive behaviors like mirror checking or excessive grooming to manage their
distress. It is distinct from eating disorders because the focus is not specifically on weight
or body fat. High rates of suicidal ideation make early diagnosis and treatment with SSRIs
and CBT critical.
6. Which therapeutic technique involves exposing a patient to their obsession while
preventing them from performing the associated compulsion?
A. Systematic Desensitization
B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
C. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
D. Free Association
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard
behavioral treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The ‘exposure’ part involves
confronting thoughts or situations that trigger anxiety. The ‘response prevention’ part
involves making a choice not to perform a ritualistic behavior. Over time, the patient learns
that the feared consequence does not happen or that the anxiety dissipates naturally. This
process is known as habituation and significantly reduces the power of compulsions over
time.
7. In Somatic Symptom Disorder, the primary focus of clinical concern is:
A. The absence of any physical symptoms
B. The presence of neurological deficits without a cause
C. Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to physical symptoms
D. Intentionally faking symptoms for external rewards
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Somatic Symptom Disorder is characterized by physical symptoms
that are distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life. The diagnosis focuses on
the individual’s excessive reaction to these symptoms rather than the symptoms
themselves. Patients often undergo multiple medical tests and procedures, which usually
fail to provide reassurance. Cognitive factors, such as catastrophic interpretations of bodily
sensations, play a major role in the disorder. Treatment aims to improve functional status
and reduce the preoccupation with illness.
