Psychotic disorders: thought withdrawal: 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.

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Psychiatry · Psychotic disorders: thought withdrawal

Sample item

A patient says, 'My thoughts are suddenly taken out of my head by someone, leaving it empty.' This experience is

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Thought withdrawal

In thought withdrawal the patient believes thoughts are removed by an outside agency, a first-rank symptom. Thought block is a sudden interruption of thinking without any external attribution. The delusional explanation distinguishes the two.

Option by option

  • A. Thought block

    Thought block is an abrupt halt in thinking, usually without attribution to an outside agent.

  • B. Flight of ideas

    Flight of ideas is rapid thinking with understandable links.

  • C. Poverty of thought

    Poverty of thought is reduced amount of thinking.

  • D. Thought withdrawal (correct)

    Correct. External removal of thoughts is thought withdrawal.

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.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Thought withdrawal. In thought withdrawal the patient believes thoughts are removed by an outside agency, a first-rank symptom.

Why is "Thought block" not the answer?

Thought block is an abrupt halt in thinking, usually without attribution to an outside agent.

Why is "Flight of ideas" not the answer?

Flight of ideas is rapid thinking with understandable links.

Why is "Poverty of thought" not the answer?

Poverty of thought is reduced amount of thinking.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: thought withdrawal in Psychiatry. Thought block is a sudden interruption of thinking without any external attribution. The delusional explanation distinguishes the two.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: thought withdrawal?

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.