Mental Healthcare Act 2017: determination of mental illness: 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 · Mental Healthcare Act 2017: determination of mental illness

Sample item

Under the Act, which of the following may NOT be used as a basis for determining that a person has a mental illness?

AInternational classification systems accepted by the medical professionBClinical assessment by a qualified professionalCStandard medical diagnostic criteriaDNon-conformity with moral, social or cultural values of the community

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Non-conformity with moral, social or cultural values of the community

The Act states that mental illness is determined in accordance with internationally accepted medical standards, such as ICD, and not on the basis of political, economic or social status, membership of a cultural, racial or religious group, or non-conformity with moral, social, cultural or religious values. Past treatment alone is also not a basis.

Option by option

A. International classification systems accepted by the medical profession
International classifications such as ICD are the basis.
B. Clinical assessment by a qualified professional
Clinical assessment is part of a valid diagnosis.
C. Standard medical diagnostic criteria
Accepted medical standards are the basis.
D. Non-conformity with moral, social or cultural values of the community (correct)
Correct. Non-conformity with social or cultural values is explicitly excluded.

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 D, Non-conformity with moral, social or cultural values of the community. The Act states that mental illness is determined in accordance with internationally accepted medical standards, such as ICD, and not on the basis of political, economic or social status, membership of a cultural, racial or religious group, or non-conformity with moral, social, cultural or religious values.

Why is "International classification systems accepted by the medical professi…" not the answer?

International classifications such as ICD are the basis.

Why is "Clinical assessment by a qualified professional" not the answer?

Clinical assessment is part of a valid diagnosis.

Why is "Standard medical diagnostic criteria" not the answer?

Accepted medical standards are the basis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mental Healthcare Act 2017: determination of mental illness in Psychiatry. Past treatment alone is also not a basis.

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 Mental Healthcare Act 2017: determination of mental illness?

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.