Delusional misidentification: Fregoli: 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 · Delusional misidentification: Fregoli

Sample item

A patient believes that a single persecutor follows him by changing disguises, appearing as the postman, the doctor and the shopkeeper. This is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Fregoli syndrome

In Fregoli syndrome a stranger is believed to be a familiar person (often a persecutor) in disguise. Capgras and Fregoli are both delusional misidentification syndromes.

Option by option

  • A. Capgras syndrome

    Capgras is a familiar person replaced by an impostor.

  • B. Fregoli syndrome (correct)

    Correct. One persecutor believed to appear in many disguises is Fregoli.

  • C. Intermetamorphosis

    In intermetamorphosis the person believes others change identity and appearance both physically and psychologically, as opposed to one fixed persecutor in disguises.

  • D. Subjective doubles

    In subjective doubles the patient believes there is a double of himself.

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 B, Fregoli syndrome. In Fregoli syndrome a stranger is believed to be a familiar person (often a persecutor) in disguise.

Why is "Capgras syndrome" not the answer?

Capgras is a familiar person replaced by an impostor.

Why is "Intermetamorphosis" not the answer?

In intermetamorphosis the person believes others change identity and appearance both physically and psychologically, as opposed to one fixed persecutor in disguises.

Why is "Subjective doubles" not the answer?

In subjective doubles the patient believes there is a double of himself.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Delusional misidentification: Fregoli in Psychiatry. Capgras and Fregoli are both delusional misidentification syndromes.

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 Delusional misidentification: Fregoli?

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.