Obsessive-compulsive related disorders: hoarding: 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 · Obsessive-compulsive related disorders: hoarding

Sample item

An elderly man cannot discard old newspapers and broken items, and his rooms are so cluttered that they cannot be used for their purpose. In DSM-5 this is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hoarding disorder

Hoarding disorder is persistent difficulty discarding possessions regardless of value, due to a perceived need to save them and distress at discarding, resulting in clutter. DSM-5 classifies it under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

Option by option

  • A. Hoarding disorder (correct)

    Correct. Persistent difficulty parting with possessions with clutter is hoarding disorder.

  • B. Schizophrenia

    Hoarding does not by itself indicate schizophrenia.

  • C. Dementia only

    Dementia may cause hoarding but DSM-5 separates the disorder, and there is no cognitive decline here.

  • D. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

    OCPD is a personality pattern of perfectionism and control.

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 A, Hoarding disorder. Hoarding disorder is persistent difficulty discarding possessions regardless of value, due to a perceived need to save them and distress at discarding, resulting in clutter.

Why is "Schizophrenia" not the answer?

Hoarding does not by itself indicate schizophrenia.

Why is "Dementia only" not the answer?

Dementia may cause hoarding but DSM-5 separates the disorder, and there is no cognitive decline here.

Why is "Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder" not the answer?

OCPD is a personality pattern of perfectionism and control.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obsessive-compulsive related disorders: hoarding in Psychiatry. DSM-5 classifies it under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

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 Obsessive-compulsive related disorders: hoarding?

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.