Psychotic disorders: schizoaffective disorder: 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: schizoaffective disorder

Sample item

A patient has recurrent manic episodes and psychosis. On one occasion, delusions persisted for three weeks after all mood symptoms had remitted. Which diagnosis is most consistent with this longitudinal course?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Schizoaffective disorder

Schizoaffective disorder requires a major mood episode together with schizophrenia-spectrum symptoms and a period of psychosis without a major mood episode. Psychosis confined to mood episodes instead supports a mood disorder with psychotic features.

Option by option

  • A. Bipolar I disorder with psychotic features

    In bipolar disorder with psychotic features, psychosis occurs only during mood episodes.

  • B. Brief psychotic disorder

    Brief psychotic disorder lasts less than one month and is not defined by this mood relationship.

  • C. Schizoaffective disorder (correct)

    Correct. Sustained psychosis outside the mood episode is the discriminating clue.

  • D. Cyclothymic disorder

    Cyclothymic disorder has subthreshold hypomanic and depressive symptoms, not full mania with psychosis.

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 C, Schizoaffective disorder. Schizoaffective disorder requires a major mood episode together with schizophrenia-spectrum symptoms and a period of psychosis without a major mood episode.

Why is "Bipolar I disorder with psychotic features" not the answer?

In bipolar disorder with psychotic features, psychosis occurs only during mood episodes.

Why is "Brief psychotic disorder" not the answer?

Brief psychotic disorder lasts less than one month and is not defined by this mood relationship.

Why is "Cyclothymic disorder" not the answer?

Cyclothymic disorder has subthreshold hypomanic and depressive symptoms, not full mania with psychosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: schizoaffective disorder in Psychiatry. Psychosis confined to mood episodes instead supports a mood disorder with psychotic features.

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: schizoaffective disorder?

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.