Anxiety and related disorders: intermittent explosive 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 · Anxiety and related disorders: intermittent explosive disorder

Sample item

A 26-year-old man has sudden episodes of rage, smashing furniture and shouting at his family over minor annoyances. They last minutes, are followed by remorse, and he is calm and well between them. Neurological and substance causes are excluded. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Intermittent explosive disorder

Intermittent explosive disorder is recurrent impulsive aggression grossly out of proportion to the provocation, with remorse afterward and normal behaviour between episodes. Mania would show sustained mood change over days, and antisocial personality lacks remorse.

Option by option

  • A. Intermittent explosive disorder (correct)

    Correct. Brief, disproportionate outbursts with remorse and a calm interval fit.

  • B. Antisocial personality disorder

    Antisocial personality disorder is marked by lack of remorse and persistent disregard for others.

  • C. Bipolar I disorder

    Bipolar mania produces days of elevated mood and reduced need for sleep.

  • D. Oppositional defiant disorder

    Oppositional defiant disorder is a childhood pattern of defiance and irritability.

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 A, Intermittent explosive disorder. Intermittent explosive disorder is recurrent impulsive aggression grossly out of proportion to the provocation, with remorse afterward and normal behaviour between episodes.

Why is "Antisocial personality disorder" not the answer?

Antisocial personality disorder is marked by lack of remorse and persistent disregard for others.

Why is "Bipolar I disorder" not the answer?

Bipolar mania produces days of elevated mood and reduced need for sleep.

Why is "Oppositional defiant disorder" not the answer?

Oppositional defiant disorder is a childhood pattern of defiance and irritability.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety and related disorders: intermittent explosive disorder in Psychiatry. Mania would show sustained mood change over days, and antisocial personality lacks remorse.

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 Anxiety and related disorders: intermittent explosive 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.