Child and adolescent psychiatry: non-suicidal self-injury: 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 · Child and adolescent psychiatry: non-suicidal self-injury

Sample item

A 15-year-old girl cuts her forearms with a blade after arguments, saying it relieves the unbearable tension and she has no wish to die. What is the most common function of non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Regulating overwhelming emotion

The commonest reported function of non-suicidal self-injury is relief from intense negative emotion, with others including self-punishment and a sense of control. It carries a raised risk of later suicidal behaviour, so assessment is required and treatment is skill-based.

Option by option

  • A. Seeking attention from others

    Attention seeking is a minority motive, and assuming it leads to dismissal of risk.

  • B. Regulating overwhelming emotion (correct)

    Correct. Relief of distress is the leading reported reason.

  • C. Attempting to end life

    By definition the intent is not to die, although risk rises later.

  • D. Obtaining material benefit

    Material gain is not a typical function of self-injury.

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, Regulating overwhelming emotion. The commonest reported function of non-suicidal self-injury is relief from intense negative emotion, with others including self-punishment and a sense of control.

Why is "Seeking attention from others" not the answer?

Attention seeking is a minority motive, and assuming it leads to dismissal of risk.

Why is "Attempting to end life" not the answer?

By definition the intent is not to die, although risk rises later.

Why is "Obtaining material benefit" not the answer?

Material gain is not a typical function of self-injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child and adolescent psychiatry: non-suicidal self-injury in Psychiatry. It carries a raised risk of later suicidal behaviour, so assessment is required and treatment is skill-based.

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 Child and adolescent psychiatry: non-suicidal self-injury?

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.