Psychotic disorders: autoscopic 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: autoscopic hallucination

Sample item

A man with temporal lobe epilepsy says that, during some spells, he sees a complete image of himself standing a few metres away that copies his movements. He knows the figure is himself. Which term describes this phenomenon?

AExtracampine hallucinationBFregoli syndromeCAutoscopic hallucinationDCapgras syndrome

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Autoscopic hallucination

In autoscopy the person sees a visual image of their own body in external space, a phenomenon described in temporal and parietal lobe disorders, epilepsy and migraine. It is a perceptual disturbance, whereas the misidentification syndromes are delusions about other people.

Option by option

A. Extracampine hallucination
Extracampine hallucination is perceived outside the sensory field but is not an image of oneself.
B. Fregoli syndrome
Fregoli syndrome is the delusion that a persecutor is disguised as various familiar people.
C. Autoscopic hallucination (correct)
Correct. Seeing one's own double in external space is autoscopy.
D. Capgras syndrome
Capgras syndrome is the delusion that a familiar person has been replaced by an impostor.

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 Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Autoscopic hallucination. In autoscopy the person sees a visual image of their own body in external space, a phenomenon described in temporal and parietal lobe disorders, epilepsy and migraine.

Why is "Extracampine hallucination" not the answer?

Extracampine hallucination is perceived outside the sensory field but is not an image of oneself.

Why is "Fregoli syndrome" not the answer?

Fregoli syndrome is the delusion that a persecutor is disguised as various familiar people.

Why is "Capgras syndrome" not the answer?

Capgras syndrome is the delusion that a familiar person has been replaced by an impostor.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: autoscopic hallucination in Psychiatry. It is a perceptual disturbance, whereas the misidentification syndromes are delusions about other people.

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 Psychotic disorders: autoscopic 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.