Dissociative disorders: possession: 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 · Dissociative disorders: possession

Sample item

A young woman at a village festival suddenly speaks in a different voice and claims to be a goddess, with later amnesia. This is accepted within her culture. How is it classified?

ASchizophreniaBManiaCPossession trance, normal if culturally accepted and not causing distress or impairmentDDelirium

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Possession trance, normal if culturally accepted and not causing distress or impairment

Trance and possession states are altered consciousness with replacement of personal identity. When they occur involuntarily outside accepted cultural or religious settings and cause distress, they are dissociative trance disorder. Within a culturally sanctioned ritual they are not pathological.

Option by option

A. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia requires persistent psychotic symptoms.
B. Mania
Mania requires elevated mood and activity.
C. Possession trance, normal if culturally accepted and not causing distress or impairment (correct)
Correct. Culturally accepted possession without distress is not a disorder.
D. Delirium
Delirium requires disturbed consciousness with cognitive fluctuation due to a medical cause.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Possession trance, normal if culturally accepted and not causing distress or impairment. Trance and possession states are altered consciousness with replacement of personal identity.

Why is "Schizophrenia" not the answer?

Schizophrenia requires persistent psychotic symptoms.

Why is "Mania" not the answer?

Mania requires elevated mood and activity.

Why is "Delirium" not the answer?

Delirium requires disturbed consciousness with cognitive fluctuation due to a medical cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dissociative disorders: possession in Psychiatry. When they occur involuntarily outside accepted cultural or religious settings and cause distress, they are dissociative trance disorder. Within a culturally sanctioned ritual they are not pathological.

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 Dissociative disorders: possession?

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.