Psychotic disorders: 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

Sample item

A 22-year-old man has had hallucinations, delusions of persecution and disorganised speech with social withdrawal for the last 3 months, with a steady decline in function. Urine drug screen and thyroid tests are normal. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Schizophreniform disorder

Schizophreniform disorder has the same symptoms as schizophrenia but a total duration of at least 1 month and less than 6 months. Schizophrenia requires at least 6 months of illness including prodromal or residual symptoms. Organic and substance causes must first be excluded, as done here.

Option by option

  • A. Schizophrenia

    Schizophrenia needs a total duration of at least 6 months, which has not yet been reached.

  • B. Schizophreniform disorder (correct)

    Correct. The syndrome is typical of schizophrenia but has lasted only 3 months.

  • C. Delusional disorder

    Delusional disorder has non-bizarre delusions without prominent hallucinations or disorganised speech.

  • D. Brief psychotic disorder

    Brief psychotic disorder lasts from 1 day up to 1 month and then remits.

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 B, Schizophreniform disorder. Schizophreniform disorder has the same symptoms as schizophrenia but a total duration of at least 1 month and less than 6 months.

Why is "Schizophrenia" not the answer?

Schizophrenia needs a total duration of at least 6 months, which has not yet been reached.

Why is "Delusional disorder" not the answer?

Delusional disorder has non-bizarre delusions without prominent hallucinations or disorganised speech.

Why is "Brief psychotic disorder" not the answer?

Brief psychotic disorder lasts from 1 day up to 1 month and then remits.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders in Psychiatry. Schizophrenia requires at least 6 months of illness including prodromal or residual symptoms. Organic and substance causes must first be excluded, as done here.

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?

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.