OCD: clinical features: 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 · OCD: clinical features

Sample item

A man washes his hands over 50 times a day because of intrusive thoughts of contamination. He knows this is excessive and tries to resist but feels anxious if he stops. This is best described as:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ego-dystonic obsessions with compulsions

Obsessions are recurrent intrusive thoughts recognised as one's own but experienced as senseless and resisted (ego-dystonic), and compulsions are repetitive acts to reduce the anxiety. Insight is usually retained.

Option by option

  • A. Delusion of contamination

    A delusion would be fixed, not resisted or recognised as excessive.

  • B. Phobia

    A phobia is fear of an object or situation with avoidance, not intrusive thoughts.

  • C. Ego-dystonic obsessions with compulsions (correct)

    Correct. Resisted, distressing thoughts with neutralising acts define OCD.

  • D. Ego-syntonic personality trait

    Ego-syntonic traits characterise obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

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, Ego-dystonic obsessions with compulsions. Obsessions are recurrent intrusive thoughts recognised as one's own but experienced as senseless and resisted (ego-dystonic), and compulsions are repetitive acts to reduce the anxiety.

Why is "Delusion of contamination" not the answer?

A delusion would be fixed, not resisted or recognised as excessive.

Why is "Phobia" not the answer?

A phobia is fear of an object or situation with avoidance, not intrusive thoughts.

Why is "Ego-syntonic personality trait" not the answer?

Ego-syntonic traits characterise obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

What concept does this question test?

It tests OCD: clinical features in Psychiatry. Insight is usually retained.

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 OCD: clinical features?

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.