Substance use: amphetamine psychosis: 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 · Substance use: amphetamine psychosis

Sample item

A college student using methamphetamine develops paranoid delusions and hallucinations while fully alert. Which feature favours substance-induced psychosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Onset during intoxication that resolves after abstinence

Amphetamine psychosis resembles paranoid schizophrenia but usually follows heavy use, with visual and tactile hallucinations common, and it clears within days to weeks of abstinence. Dopamine excess is responsible.

Option by option

  • A. Negative symptoms only

    Negative symptoms predominate in schizophrenia, not in amphetamine psychosis.

  • B. Gradual onset over years

    A gradual onset over years suggests a primary psychosis.

  • C. Onset during intoxication that resolves after abstinence (correct)

    Correct. Temporal relationship with use and resolution on abstinence.

  • D. Complete absence of any substance exposure

    Substance use is required for the diagnosis.

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.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Onset during intoxication that resolves after abstinence. Amphetamine psychosis resembles paranoid schizophrenia but usually follows heavy use, with visual and tactile hallucinations common, and it clears within days to weeks of abstinence.

Why is "Negative symptoms only" not the answer?

Negative symptoms predominate in schizophrenia, not in amphetamine psychosis.

Why is "Gradual onset over years" not the answer?

A gradual onset over years suggests a primary psychosis.

Why is "Complete absence of any substance exposure" not the answer?

Substance use is required for the diagnosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: amphetamine psychosis in Psychiatry. Dopamine excess is responsible.

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 Substance use: amphetamine psychosis?

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.