Schizophrenia spectrum: schizophreniform disorder: 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 · Schizophrenia spectrum: schizophreniform disorder

Sample item

A 24-year-old has had delusions, hallucinations and disorganised speech for 3 months with functional decline. No mood or substance cause is found. The DSM-5 diagnosis is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Schizophreniform disorder

Schizophreniform disorder has the symptoms of schizophrenia lasting at least 1 month but less than 6 months. If symptoms persist beyond 6 months, the diagnosis is changed to schizophrenia.

Option by option

  • A. Schizophrenia

    Schizophrenia needs 6 months of illness.

  • B. Delusional disorder

    Delusional disorder has non-bizarre delusions without the other prominent symptoms.

  • C. Schizophreniform disorder (correct)

    Correct. Typical psychotic symptoms for 1 to 6 months is schizophreniform disorder.

  • D. Brief psychotic disorder

    Brief psychotic disorder lasts from 1 day to under 1 month.

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, Schizophreniform disorder. Schizophreniform disorder has the symptoms of schizophrenia lasting at least 1 month but less than 6 months.

Why is "Schizophrenia" not the answer?

Schizophrenia needs 6 months of illness.

Why is "Delusional disorder" not the answer?

Delusional disorder has non-bizarre delusions without the other prominent symptoms.

Why is "Brief psychotic disorder" not the answer?

Brief psychotic disorder lasts from 1 day to under 1 month.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Schizophrenia spectrum: schizophreniform disorder in Psychiatry. If symptoms persist beyond 6 months, the diagnosis is changed 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 Schizophrenia spectrum: schizophreniform disorder?

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.