Forensic psychiatry: Ganser 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: Ganser syndrome

Sample item

A man awaiting trial for murder answers simple questions absurdly, for example saying a horse has five legs, though the answers show he understood the question. This is typical of:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ganser syndrome

Ganser syndrome is a dissociative state, classically seen in prisoners under stress, with approximate answers (vorbeireden) that are near-misses and show the question was understood. It may be accompanied by clouding of consciousness. It must be differentiated from malingering.

Option by option

  • A. Othello syndrome

    Othello syndrome is delusional jealousy about a partner's infidelity.

  • B. Capgras syndrome

    Capgras syndrome is the delusion that a close person has been replaced by an impostor.

  • C. Ganser syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Approximate answers in a prisoner are the hallmark of Ganser syndrome.

  • D. Korsakoff syndrome

    Korsakoff syndrome is amnesia with confabulation from thiamine deficiency.

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 Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Ganser syndrome. Ganser syndrome is a dissociative state, classically seen in prisoners under stress, with approximate answers (vorbeireden) that are near-misses and show the question was understood.

Why is "Othello syndrome" not the answer?

Othello syndrome is delusional jealousy about a partner's infidelity.

Why is "Capgras syndrome" not the answer?

Capgras syndrome is the delusion that a close person has been replaced by an impostor.

Why is "Korsakoff syndrome" not the answer?

Korsakoff syndrome is amnesia with confabulation from thiamine deficiency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Forensic psychiatry: Ganser syndrome in Forensic Medicine. It may be accompanied by clouding of consciousness. It must be differentiated from malingering.

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 Forensic psychiatry: Ganser 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.