This Kerala PSC previous solved question paper for Assistant Professor in Psychiatry covers a wide range of topics in psychiatry including neurobiology, psychopharmacology, psychiatric disorders across lifespan, psychotherapy, and mental health legislation. The questions test both foundational knowledge and clinical application skills essential for psychiatric practice.
1. Gilal cells primarily involved in synaptic transmission are
2. The region of the prefrontal cortex involved in the manipulation of data during the working memory task is
3. Ligand-gated ion channels are the primary mechanism of signal transduction for
4. The FALSE statement about Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is
5. Anatomic connectivity between different brain areas is best studied by
6. "Inside to outside" neurogenesis and neuronal migration are seen in
7. In the Hypothalamus, orexin-containing neurons are found in
8. The CORRECT statement about α-rhythm in EEG is
9. The best-documented effect of endogeneous opioids is
10. Proinflammatory cytokines are all EXCEPT
11. The FALSE statement about the ICD-11 criteria of schizophrenia is
12. The neurotransmitter system NOT linked to Psychosis is
13. A FALSE statement about the use of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is
14. The CORRECT statement regarding abnormalities in smooth pursuit eye movements and saccadic eye movement disinhibition in schizophrenia
16. The following Copy Number Variation (CNV) locus has been identified to be associated with schizophrenia
18. FALSE statement about clozapine treatment in schizophrenia
19. Which of the following factor is not a poor prognostic factor for bipolar disorder
21. Which of the following is not a feature of a depressive episode that is more predictive of bipolar disorder?
22. Low social dysfunction is a predictor of response to which therapy for depression
23. Which among the following does not reflect the increase in nocturnal arousal in depression?
24. Life event most often associated with the development of depression is
25. Aaron Beck postulated a cognitive triad of depression that consists of all of the following except
26. Which of the following is not an element in the cognitive theory of depression?
27. Which anxiety disorder is equally prevalent in men and women?
28. Which of the following area is not implicated in both PET and fMRI studies of anxiety?
29. Which of the following is not an evidence-based recommended treatment for the monotherapy of generalised anxiety disorders either as first line or second line?
30. Symptom specifiers for obsessive-compulsive disorder according to DSM 5 are all of the following, except
32. Which of the following is not a psychotherapeutic intervention in post traumatic stress disorder?
33. Which of the following is not a differential diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder?
34. A 7-year-old boy presents with persistent defiance, temper outbursts and intentionally annoying others. These behaviours have been ongoing for over 6 months and are significantly impacting his school and home life. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
35. In the context of childhood development, what is a key aspect of cognitive development during the concrete operational stage (roughly ages 7-11)?
36. A 5-year-old child speaks only in 2-word phrases, avoids eye contact, and lines up toys repetitively. He does not respond to his name but enjoys spinning objects for long periods. The most likely diagnosis is
37. A 10-year-old girl has recurrent episodes of sudden, uncontrollable screaming and kicking lasting 10-20 minutes, often triggered by minor frustrations. During episodes, she is inconsolable and unaware of her surroundings but has no post-ictal confusion or incontinence. EEG and MRI are normal. The most probable diagnosis is
38. A 78-year-old male with a known history of moderate Alzheimer's disease is brought to the emergency department by his family. They report a 2-day history of increased confusion, significant agitation, and stating he is seeing "people in his room" that others cannot see. He has been more restless than usual and has had difficulty focusing on conversations. His vital signs are stable, but he appears visibly distressed. His current medications include donepezil and memantine. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step in managing this patient's acute change in mental status?
39. A 78-year-old woman with a history of well-controlled hypertension and mild osteoarthritis is brought by her daughter due to a sudden change in mental stage over the past 48 hours. She is disoriented to time and place, has fluctuating levels of alertness and is experiencing vivid visual hallucinations. Her physical exam is unremarkable except for mild tachycardia. Basic labs (CBC, CMP) are normal. Urinalysis shows 2+ leukocyte esterase and nitrites. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
40. A 75-year-old man with major depressive disorder and chronic kidney disease (eGFR : 30 mL/min) is being considered for an antidepressant. Which of the following is the safest first-line pharmacologic option?
41. Which of the following is a common barrier preventing women from seeking mental health treatment?
42. What factor is most likely to contribute to postpartum depression in women after childbirth?
43. A 45-year old man reports loud snoring, frequent awakenings at night and excessive daytime sleepiness. His partner mentions he "stops breathing" during sleep. BMI is 32 kg/m² and neck circumference is 42 cm. The most likely diagnosis is
44. A 60-year-old man complains of an "uncomfortable crawling sensation" in his legs at night, relieved only by walking. Symptoms worsen at rest and in the evening. Iron studies show serum ferritin of 18 ng/mL. The first-line treatment is
45. A 28-year-old male with a history of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) presents with persistent inability to maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity, despite normal morning erections and intact libido. He reports significant performance anxiety and avoids sexual encounters due to fear of failure. His symptoms began 6 months ago after a stressful work event. Physical exam and laboratory tests (including testosterone, prolactin, and fasting glucose) are unremarkable. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
46. A 35-year-old female with panic disorder on sertraline 150 mg daily for 18 months reports complete absence of orgasm (anorgasmia) and reduced lubrication. Symptoms began 2 months after sertraline initiation. She uses cannabis weekly and cocaine occasionally. Physical exam, pelvic, ultrasound and labs (FSH, LH, prolactin) are normal. What is the most evidence-based management?
47. 25-year-old male reports episodes of consuming large amounts of food in 2-hour periods, accompanied by a sense of loss of control. He feels guilty afterward but does not engage in vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. His BMI is 58 kg/m². What is the best diagnosis?
48. Primary Somatoform Disorders are all of the following except
49. Common differential diagnosis to be considered for conversion disorder
50. Commonest type of dissociative disorder is
