Psychotic disorders: first-episode psychosis duration of untreated psychosis: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Psychiatry · Psychotic disorders: first-episode psychosis duration of untreated psychosis

Sample item

A longer duration of untreated psychosis in first-episode schizophrenia is associated with

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Poorer response to treatment and worse long-term outcome

Longer duration of untreated psychosis is linked with poorer symptomatic and functional outcome, lower remission and greater relapse. This is the rationale for early intervention services. Early detection and treatment are therefore emphasised in first-episode programmes.

Option by option

  • A. Poorer response to treatment and worse long-term outcome (correct)

    Correct. Delay in treatment predicts a worse course.

  • B. Lower relapse rates

    Relapse is not reduced and tends to be higher.

  • C. Better insight

    Insight is not improved by a longer untreated period.

  • D. Complete remission without drugs

    Remission without drugs is not the expected result of delay.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Poorer response to treatment and worse long-term outcome. Longer duration of untreated psychosis is linked with poorer symptomatic and functional outcome, lower remission and greater relapse.

Why is "Lower relapse rates" not the answer?

Relapse is not reduced and tends to be higher.

Why is "Better insight" not the answer?

Insight is not improved by a longer untreated period.

Why is "Complete remission without drugs" not the answer?

Remission without drugs is not the expected result of delay.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: first-episode psychosis duration of untreated psychosis in Psychiatry. This is the rationale for early intervention services. Early detection and treatment are therefore emphasised in first-episode programmes.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Psychotic disorders: first-episode psychosis duration of untreated psychosis?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.