Here are all 63 Psychological Well Being and Mental Disorders questions asked in UPSC Psychology Optional Paper II from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 4 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.
Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.
2.1] Concept of health-ill health, positive health, well being
6 questions
How do biological, psychological and social factors influence mental disorders? Critically examine the concept of mental health and well-being. [2026/20m/4c]
Discuss the biopsychosocial model of health. Suggest relevant actions to prevent illness. [2023/15m/2a]
Why is psychological wellbeing considered as an essential factor of health? What are the different ways it can be enhanced? [2019/15m/6b]
Reflect on the major issues and contradictions related to the understanding of well-being. Discuss with reference to current social trends. [2013/10m/150w/1b]
Discuss the various aspects subjective well-being as propounded by positive psychology movement. [2011/30m/2a]
What do you mean by positive health? Suggest some of the important factors responsible for positive health, well being, life style and quality of life. [2005/60m/4]
2.2] Causal factors in mental disorders
39 questions
How do psychologists explain the causes of anxiety disorder? [2026/10m/150w/1a]
How do biological, psychological and social factors influence mental disorders? Critically examine the concept of mental health and well-being. [2026/20m/4c]
Evaluate the cognitive-behavioural model of depression. [2025/10m/150w/1b]
Critically evaluate the conditioning model of psychopathic personality disorder. [2025/10m/150w/1e]
Distinguish hallucinations and delusions with suitable examples. [2024/10m/150w/1a]
What is learned helplessness? How will you explain depression using the concept of learned helplessness? [2024/15m/3b]
Give a comparative analysis of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. [2023/10m/150w/1b]
What are different criteria for labelling abnormal behaviour? [2022/10m/150w/1e]
Describe the instrumental role of biology, conditioning, cognition and stress in developing anxiety disorder. [2022/20m/2c]
Describe the different types of anxiety disorders. What are the behavioural approaches to treat such patients? [2021/20m/4c]
What do you understand by mood disorders? Discuss the causes. [2021/10m/150w/5e]
Describe the symptoms of depression and mood disorder. Give an account of etiological factors and suggest the appropriate therapeutic treatment for these disorders. [2020/20m/7c]
How are schizophrenic disorders different from anxiety disorders? Explain with examples. [2020/15m/8b]
Why is Narcissistic personality disorder considered as a personality disorder? What are the obstacles faced by the clinicians to treat these types of clients? [2019/15m/4b]
How can substance abuse be explained through different psychological approaches? How can rehabilitation process help the people indulging in substance abuse? [2019/20m/4c]
Explain the etiology of manic-depressive disorder. Evaluate the suitability of therapeutic methods for the treatment of manic-depressive disorder. [2018/15m/2b]
Explain psychopathic personality and state how it is related to deviant behaviour. [2017/10m/150w/1e]
Explain how hallucinations and delusional contents differ in paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenia. [2017/15m/4b]
What biological factors explain mental disorders? Discuss. [2016/10m/150w/5b]
Substance abuse is a growing phenomenon among Indian youths. Discuss the psychological causes of and intervention measures for substance abuse. [2015/10m/150w/5d]
How will you distinguish between anxiety and mood disorders? [2014/10m/150w/5a]
What do you understand by ‘personality disorders’? Distinguish between schizoid personality disorder and schizophrenia. [2012/12m/150w/1a]
Define ‘learned helplessness’. How can this concept be used to explain depressive disorders? [2012/20m/250w/4a]
Explain delusional disorders and highlight their distinguishing features. [2011/20m/200w/1c]
Explain paranoid and schizoid personality disorders. [2011/30m/3a]
Enumerate the different types of phobias encountered in clinical practice. Explain the application of behaviour therapy in handling these phobic disorders. [2010/30m/2a]
Compare gender differences in prevalence of substance abuse in India. [2009/20m/200w/1b]
Distinguish ‘alcoholism’ from ‘social drinking’ and discuss the factors contributing to alcoholism. [2008/20m/200w/1b]
What are substance abuse disorders? Explain etiological factors underlying them. Indicate the strategies for rehabilitation of persons suffering from substance abuse disorders. [2007/60m/3]
Write a short note on: Personality Disorder. [2005/20m/200w/1a]
Write a short note on: Symptoms and etiology of schizophrenia. [2005/20m/200w/1b]
Discuss the special features of schizophrenia and describe the clinical picture in schizophrenia. [2001/20m/200w/1b]
Comment on: Briefly describe the classification of psychological disorders. [2000/20m/200w/1a]
Give your idea about nosological systems of mental disorders. [2000/20m/200w/5b]
Discuss the common characteristics of psychopathic personality. [1999/20m/200w/1b]
Discuss the types of psychosomatic diseases. [1998/20m/200w/1d]
Describe the prominent symptoms of psychosis and discuss the main points of difference between psychotic and neurotic reactions. [1997/60m/2]
What are the typical psychophysiologic disorders caused by anxiety and stress? Give your reasons for the same. [1996/60m/3]
Evaluate the psychological and behaviouristic theories of neurosis. Do you think the therapies suggested by both the groups are inclusive of each other? [1995/60m/3]
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16 questions
Discuss the biopsychosocial model of health. Suggest relevant actions to prevent illness. [2023/15m/2a]
What is successful aging? What are the components of successful aging? [2019/10m/150w/1e]
Why is psychological wellbeing considered as an essential factor of health? What are the different ways it can be enhanced? [2019/15m/6b]
There is a strong need for a wellbeing curriculum for children in schools. You are asked to develop such a curriculum. What would be the focus and essential components of such a curriculum? [2019/20m/7c]
How does stress contribute to the causation of physical illness? Discuss the role of optimism as factor moderating the impact of stress. [2018/10m/150w/1b]
How can psychological well-being of service professionals be promoted? Discuss. [2016/10m/150w/1b]
How do lifestyle variables influence quality of life of an individual in different life domains? [2016/15m/4b]
How can psychological knowledge be put to use in changing the behaviour of children inclined to consume ‘junk food’? [2015/10m/150w/5e]
Comment on the role of cognitive factors in the experience of stress. [2009/20m/200w/1c]
What do you mean by positive health? Suggest some of the important factors responsible for positive health, well being, life style and quality of life. [2005/60m/4]
Write a short note on: Factors influencing positive health and well-being. [2004/20m/200w/1d]
Sustaining positive and effective mental health is more dependent on prevention than cure. Do you agree with this statement? Answer with the help of a relevant model and highlight the role of quality of life. [2003/60m/3]
What is stress? Can you suggest some Indian techniques for stress management? Elaborate. [2000/60m/4]
Mention the physical, psychological and behavioural consequences of stress. [1999/20m/200w/5d]
What is stress? Discuss certain methods of stress management. [1998/60m/7]
Can stress be totally eliminated? Discuss the main sources of stress in our society. [1997/20m/200w/5b]
2.4] Happiness disposition
2 questions
Critically evaluate the relationship between economic growth and human well-being in the light of contemporary research on happiness. [2015/15m/2b]
Discuss how happiness may influence psychological well-being and health. [2014/15m/3a]
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Last updated: 30 October 2026