Dissociative disorders: dissociative identity 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 · Dissociative disorders: dissociative identity disorder

Sample item

A woman has two or more distinct personality states that recurrently take control of her behaviour, with gaps in recall of everyday events. She has a history of severe childhood abuse. The diagnosis is:

ABorderline personality disorderBSchizophreniaCDissociative identity disorderDBipolar disorder

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Dissociative identity disorder

Dissociative identity disorder is disruption of identity with two or more distinct personality states, accompanied by recurrent amnesia beyond ordinary forgetting. It is strongly associated with severe childhood trauma.

Option by option

A. Borderline personality disorder
BPD involves instability but not distinct identity states with amnesia.
B. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia involves psychotic symptoms, not alternating identities.
C. Dissociative identity disorder (correct)
Correct. Distinct identity states with amnesia define DID.
D. Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder involves mood episodes.

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, Dissociative identity disorder. Dissociative identity disorder is disruption of identity with two or more distinct personality states, accompanied by recurrent amnesia beyond ordinary forgetting.

Why is "Borderline personality disorder" not the answer?

BPD involves instability but not distinct identity states with amnesia.

Why is "Schizophrenia" not the answer?

Schizophrenia involves psychotic symptoms, not alternating identities.

Why is "Bipolar disorder" not the answer?

Bipolar disorder involves mood episodes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dissociative disorders: dissociative identity disorder in Psychiatry. It is strongly associated with severe childhood trauma.

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: dissociative identity 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.