Personality disorders: avoidant: 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 · Personality disorders: avoidant

Sample item

A man desires close relationships but avoids social situations because of intense fear of criticism, feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Which statement distinguishes this from schizoid personality?

AHe has magical thinkingBHe is grandioseCHe desires relationships, whereas the schizoid person is indifferent to themDHe has no interest in relationships

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. He desires relationships, whereas the schizoid person is indifferent to them

Avoidant personality disorder (Cluster C) involves social inhibition and fear of rejection despite a wish for intimacy. Schizoid personality is characterised by genuine lack of desire for relationships and emotional coldness.

Option by option

A. He has magical thinking
Magical thinking describes schizotypal personality.
B. He is grandiose
Grandiosity describes narcissistic personality.
C. He desires relationships, whereas the schizoid person is indifferent to them (correct)
Correct. Desire for closeness separates avoidant from schizoid.
D. He has no interest in relationships
Lack of interest describes schizoid personality.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, He desires relationships, whereas the schizoid person is indifferent to them. Avoidant personality disorder (Cluster C) involves social inhibition and fear of rejection despite a wish for intimacy.

Why is "He has magical thinking" not the answer?

Magical thinking describes schizotypal personality.

Why is "He is grandiose" not the answer?

Grandiosity describes narcissistic personality.

Why is "He has no interest in relationships" not the answer?

Lack of interest describes schizoid personality.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Personality disorders: avoidant in Psychiatry. Schizoid personality is characterised by genuine lack of desire for relationships and emotional coldness.

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 Personality disorders: avoidant?

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.