Child psychiatry: reactive attachment 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 · Child psychiatry: reactive attachment disorder

Sample item

A 4-year-old raised in a neglectful orphanage is emotionally withdrawn, rarely seeks comfort when distressed and is rarely responsive to comfort when offered. The diagnosis is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Reactive attachment disorder

Reactive attachment disorder, a trauma- and stressor-related disorder, follows extreme insufficient care, with inhibited and emotionally withdrawn behaviour. Disinhibited social engagement disorder involves indiscriminate approach to strangers.

Option by option

  • A. Adjustment disorder

    Adjustment disorder is a less severe reaction to a stressor.

  • B. Reactive attachment disorder (correct)

    Correct. Inhibited, withdrawn behaviour after neglect is reactive attachment disorder.

  • C. Autism spectrum disorder

    ASD has restricted interests and a different developmental course.

  • D. Disinhibited social engagement disorder

    Disinhibited disorder shows overly familiar behaviour with strangers.

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, Reactive attachment disorder. Reactive attachment disorder, a trauma- and stressor-related disorder, follows extreme insufficient care, with inhibited and emotionally withdrawn behaviour.

Why is "Adjustment disorder" not the answer?

Adjustment disorder is a less severe reaction to a stressor.

Why is "Autism spectrum disorder" not the answer?

ASD has restricted interests and a different developmental course.

Why is "Disinhibited social engagement disorder" not the answer?

Disinhibited disorder shows overly familiar behaviour with strangers.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: reactive attachment disorder in Psychiatry. Disinhibited social engagement disorder involves indiscriminate approach to strangers.

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 Child psychiatry: reactive attachment 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.