Which of the following is the most prevalent psychological disorder in the general population?

• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. Bipolar disorder
• C. Major depressive disorder
• D. Specific phobia

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the question is asking about the most prevalent psychological disorder in the general population, meaning the disorder that occurs most frequently among people overall.
2. Step 2: Review the definitions and prevalence rates of each disorder listed: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Specific Phobia.
3. Step 3: Recall that Specific Phobia is characterized by an intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation, and epidemiological studies show it has a higher lifetime prevalence compared to the other disorders listed.
4. Step 4: Compare the prevalence rates from reliable sources such as the DSM-5 or epidemiological research, noting that Specific Phobia typically has a higher percentage of affected individuals than GAD, Bipolar Disorder, or MDD.
5. Step 5: Conclude that among the options given, Specific Phobia is the most prevalent psychological disorder in the general population based on its higher occurrence rate.