Anxiety and related disorders: interoceptive exposure: 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: interoceptive exposure

Sample item

In CBT for panic disorder, a patient is asked in session to hyperventilate and spin on a swivel chair to provoke dizziness and a racing heart. She stays with the sensations until they no longer feel dangerous. What is this technique called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Interoceptive exposure

Interoceptive exposure deliberately induces feared bodily sensations so the patient learns that they are harmless, which weakens the catastrophic misinterpretation central to panic disorder. It is combined with cognitive restructuring and breathing control.

Option by option

  • A. Thought stopping

    Thought stopping interrupts intrusive thoughts and does not involve provoking sensations.

  • B. Systematic desensitisation

    Systematic desensitisation uses a graded hierarchy with relaxation, not induced bodily sensations.

  • C. Interoceptive exposure (correct)

    Correct. Deliberately provoking feared bodily sensations is interoceptive exposure.

  • D. In vivo flooding

    Flooding exposes the patient to the external feared situation at full intensity, not to bodily sensations.

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 C, Interoceptive exposure. Interoceptive exposure deliberately induces feared bodily sensations so the patient learns that they are harmless, which weakens the catastrophic misinterpretation central to panic disorder.

Why is "Thought stopping" not the answer?

Thought stopping interrupts intrusive thoughts and does not involve provoking sensations.

Why is "Systematic desensitisation" not the answer?

Systematic desensitisation uses a graded hierarchy with relaxation, not induced bodily sensations.

Why is "In vivo flooding" not the answer?

Flooding exposes the patient to the external feared situation at full intensity, not to bodily sensations.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety and related disorders: interoceptive exposure in Psychiatry. It is combined with cognitive restructuring and breathing control.

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 Anxiety and related disorders: interoceptive exposure?

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.