Somatic disorders: conversion 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.

Try it

Psychiatry · Somatic disorders: conversion disorder

Sample item

A 19-year-old woman wakes with sudden weakness of the right leg after an argument with her fiance. Reflexes, tone and imaging are normal, and Hoover sign is positive. The diagnosis is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Functional neurological symptom disorder (conversion disorder)

Conversion disorder is neurological symptoms incompatible with recognised disease, often following psychological stress, with positive signs such as Hoover sign (the weak leg regains strength when the opposite leg is flexed against resistance). Symptoms are not feigned.

Option by option

  • A. Malingering

    Malingering involves conscious feigning for external gain.

  • B. Functional neurological symptom disorder (conversion disorder) (correct)

    Correct. Positive Hoover sign with normal examination suggests a functional deficit.

  • C. Factitious disorder

    Factitious disorder involves conscious feigning to assume the sick role.

  • D. Stroke

    A stroke would produce objective findings and imaging changes.

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 B, Functional neurological symptom disorder (conversion disorder). Conversion disorder is neurological symptoms incompatible with recognised disease, often following psychological stress, with positive signs such as Hoover sign (the weak leg regains strength when the opposite leg is flexed against resistance).

Why is "Malingering" not the answer?

Malingering involves conscious feigning for external gain.

Why is "Factitious disorder" not the answer?

Factitious disorder involves conscious feigning to assume the sick role.

Why is "Stroke" not the answer?

A stroke would produce objective findings and imaging changes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Somatic disorders: conversion disorder in Psychiatry. Symptoms are not feigned.

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 Somatic disorders: conversion 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.