Dissociative disorders: depersonalisation: 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 · Dissociative disorders: depersonalisation

Sample item

A 24-year-old student describes feeling detached from his body, as if watching himself from outside, while knowing it is not real. This is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Depersonalisation

Depersonalisation is a sense of unreality or detachment from one's own self, body or mental processes, while derealisation is a similar feeling about the surroundings. Reality testing remains intact, distinguishing it from psychosis.

Option by option

  • A. Delusion of control

    Delusions of control involve beliefs of external control without insight.

  • B. Depersonalisation (correct)

    Correct. Detachment from the self with intact insight is depersonalisation.

  • C. Visual hallucination

    Hallucinations are perceptions without stimuli.

  • D. Derealisation

    Derealisation concerns the external world.

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, Depersonalisation. Depersonalisation is a sense of unreality or detachment from one's own self, body or mental processes, while derealisation is a similar feeling about the surroundings.

Why is "Delusion of control" not the answer?

Delusions of control involve beliefs of external control without insight.

Why is "Visual hallucination" not the answer?

Hallucinations are perceptions without stimuli.

Why is "Derealisation" not the answer?

Derealisation concerns the external world.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dissociative disorders: depersonalisation in Psychiatry. Reality testing remains intact, distinguishing it from psychosis.

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 Dissociative disorders: depersonalisation?

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.