Anxiety and related disorders: kleptomania: 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 · Anxiety and related disorders: kleptomania

Sample item

A 34-year-old well-off woman repeatedly steals inexpensive items she does not need. She feels rising tension before each act and relief afterwards, discards the items, and steals neither for anger nor because of delusions. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Kleptomania

Kleptomania is an impulse-control disorder with recurrent failure to resist stealing objects not needed for use or value. Tension builds before the theft and gratification or relief follows. It is diagnosed only when the stealing is not for revenge, not due to delusions and not better explained by mania or conduct problems.

Option by option

  • A. Obsessive-compulsive disorder

    OCD stealing would not be a pleasurable relief-giving act driven by obsessions.

  • B. Manic episode

    Mania can include reckless acts, but there is no elevated mood or reduced need for sleep here.

  • C. Antisocial personality disorder

    Antisocial personality disorder involves planned theft for gain and a pervasive disregard for others.

  • D. Kleptomania (correct)

    Correct. Unneeded items, pre-act tension and relief afterwards define kleptomania.

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 D, Kleptomania. Kleptomania is an impulse-control disorder with recurrent failure to resist stealing objects not needed for use or value.

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

OCD stealing would not be a pleasurable relief-giving act driven by obsessions.

Why is "Manic episode" not the answer?

Mania can include reckless acts, but there is no elevated mood or reduced need for sleep here.

Why is "Antisocial personality disorder" not the answer?

Antisocial personality disorder involves planned theft for gain and a pervasive disregard for others.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety and related disorders: kleptomania in Psychiatry. Tension builds before the theft and gratification or relief follows. It is diagnosed only when the stealing is not for revenge, not due to delusions and not better explained by mania or conduct problems.

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 Anxiety and related disorders: kleptomania?

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.