Culture-bound syndromes: brain fag: 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 · Culture-bound syndromes: brain fag

Sample item

A West African student preparing for exams complains of head and neck pressure, burning sensations, blurred vision and inability to retain what he reads. This is

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Brain fag syndrome

Brain fag syndrome is described in West African students with somatic complaints and cognitive difficulty under academic pressure. Susto is described in Latin America as soul loss after fright. Windigo is a belief of possession by a cannibalistic spirit in Algonquian Native people.

Option by option

  • A. Brain fag syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Cognitive and somatic complaints in a student under pressure define brain fag.

  • B. Latah

    Latah is exaggerated startle with echo phenomena.

  • C. Windigo

    Windigo is a cannibalistic possession belief.

  • D. Susto

    Susto is soul loss after fright.

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, Brain fag syndrome. Brain fag syndrome is described in West African students with somatic complaints and cognitive difficulty under academic pressure.

Why is "Latah" not the answer?

Latah is exaggerated startle with echo phenomena.

Why is "Windigo" not the answer?

Windigo is a cannibalistic possession belief.

Why is "Susto" not the answer?

Susto is soul loss after fright.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Culture-bound syndromes: brain fag in Psychiatry. Susto is described in Latin America as soul loss after fright. Windigo is a belief of possession by a cannibalistic spirit in Algonquian Native people.

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 Culture-bound syndromes: brain fag?

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.