Personality disorders: borderline personality 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 · Personality disorders: borderline personality disorder

Sample item

A patient has unstable intense relationships, frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, recurrent self-harm, chronic emptiness, and marked affective instability. Which personality disorder is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder features pervasive instability of relationships, self-image, and affect, along with impulsivity and often self-harm. The pattern is enduring and occurs across contexts.

Option by option

  • A. Borderline personality disorder (correct)

    Correct. Abandonment sensitivity, affective instability, and self-harm are key features.

  • B. Antisocial personality disorder

    Antisocial personality disorder is defined by disregard for and violation of others' rights.

  • C. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

    OCPD centers on perfectionism, control, and rigidity rather than unstable attachment.

  • D. Schizoid personality disorder

    Schizoid personality disorder features detachment from social relationships and restricted affect.

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 A, Borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder features pervasive instability of relationships, self-image, and affect, along with impulsivity and often self-harm.

Why is "Antisocial personality disorder" not the answer?

Antisocial personality disorder is defined by disregard for and violation of others' rights.

Why is "Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder" not the answer?

OCPD centers on perfectionism, control, and rigidity rather than unstable attachment.

Why is "Schizoid personality disorder" not the answer?

Schizoid personality disorder features detachment from social relationships and restricted affect.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Personality disorders: borderline personality disorder in Psychiatry. The pattern is enduring and occurs across contexts.

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 Personality disorders: borderline personality 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.