Forensic psychiatry: Othello syndrome: practice question

A Forensic Medicine 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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Forensic Medicine · Forensic psychiatry: Othello syndrome

Sample item

A 45-year-old man with long-standing alcohol dependence is convinced, without evidence, that his wife is unfaithful. He searches her belongings and has assaulted her. Which syndrome is this, and what is the main medicolegal risk?

ACotard syndrome; risk of self-neglect and suicideBCapgras syndrome; risk of violence against a supposed impostorCOthello syndrome; risk of violence or homicide against the spouseDDe Clerambault syndrome; risk of stalking the loved one

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Othello syndrome; risk of violence or homicide against the spouse

Othello syndrome is delusional jealousy, commonly seen with alcoholism and also with schizophrenia and organic states. It carries a high risk of violence, including homicide, against the partner, and so it needs urgent assessment.

Option by option

A. Cotard syndrome; risk of self-neglect and suicide
Cotard syndrome is a nihilistic delusion that the body or the world no longer exists.
B. Capgras syndrome; risk of violence against a supposed impostor
Capgras syndrome is the delusion that a familiar person has been replaced by an impostor.
C. Othello syndrome; risk of violence or homicide against the spouse (correct)
Delusional jealousy is Othello syndrome, and the partner is at risk.
D. De Clerambault syndrome; risk of stalking the loved one
De Clerambault syndrome is erotomania, the delusion of being loved by another person.

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 Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Othello syndrome; risk of violence or homicide against the spouse. Othello syndrome is delusional jealousy, commonly seen with alcoholism and also with schizophrenia and organic states.

Why is "Cotard syndrome; risk of self-neglect and suicide" not the answer?

Cotard syndrome is a nihilistic delusion that the body or the world no longer exists.

Why is "Capgras syndrome; risk of violence against a supposed impostor" not the answer?

Capgras syndrome is the delusion that a familiar person has been replaced by an impostor.

Why is "De Clerambault syndrome; risk of stalking the loved one" not the answer?

De Clerambault syndrome is erotomania, the delusion of being loved by another person.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Forensic psychiatry: Othello syndrome in Forensic Medicine. It carries a high risk of violence, including homicide, against the partner, and so it needs urgent assessment.

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 Forensic psychiatry: Othello syndrome?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine 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.