Psychotic disorders: Lilliputian hallucination: 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.

Try it

Psychiatry · Psychotic disorders: Lilliputian hallucination

Sample item

On the third day after stopping heavy drinking, a man is agitated and tells the nurse that dozens of tiny people are marching across his bedsheet. He finds them amusing rather than frightening. What is the best term for this experience?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lilliputian hallucination

Lilliputian hallucinations are visual hallucinations in which people or animals appear greatly reduced in size. They are typically seen in delirium, especially alcohol withdrawal delirium, and the affect may be pleasant or amused. They point to an organic cause rather than to schizophrenia.

Option by option

  • A. Extracampine hallucination

    Extracampine hallucinations are perceived outside the limits of the sensory field, for example a voice heard from far away.

  • B. Reflex hallucination

    Reflex hallucinations occur when a stimulus in one sensory modality produces a hallucination in another.

  • C. Lilliputian hallucination (correct)

    Correct. Visual hallucination of miniature figures, typical of delirium tremens.

  • D. Hypnopompic hallucination

    Hypnopompic hallucinations occur while waking from sleep and are brief and not tied to withdrawal delirium.

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 C, Lilliputian hallucination. Lilliputian hallucinations are visual hallucinations in which people or animals appear greatly reduced in size.

Why is "Extracampine hallucination" not the answer?

Extracampine hallucinations are perceived outside the limits of the sensory field, for example a voice heard from far away.

Why is "Reflex hallucination" not the answer?

Reflex hallucinations occur when a stimulus in one sensory modality produces a hallucination in another.

Why is "Hypnopompic hallucination" not the answer?

Hypnopompic hallucinations occur while waking from sleep and are brief and not tied to withdrawal delirium.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: Lilliputian hallucination in Psychiatry. They are typically seen in delirium, especially alcohol withdrawal delirium, and the affect may be pleasant or amused. They point to an organic cause rather than to schizophrenia.

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 Psychotic disorders: Lilliputian hallucination?

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.