Somatic symptom and related disorders: 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 · Somatic symptom and related disorders

Sample item

A man with no physical findings claims severe back pain and asks the doctor for a medical certificate to avoid appearing in court. Which term describes this behaviour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Malingering

In malingering, symptoms are consciously feigned for an obvious external gain, such as avoiding legal duties or obtaining compensation. In factitious disorder, symptoms are also feigned, but the aim is to assume the sick role.

Option by option

  • A. Conversion disorder

    Conversion disorder involves symptoms that are not consciously produced.

  • B. Illness anxiety disorder

    Illness anxiety disorder is a preoccupation with having a serious illness, with genuine fear and not deliberate deception.

  • C. Malingering (correct)

    Correct. Deliberate feigning for a clear external benefit is malingering.

  • D. Factitious disorder

    Factitious disorder is feigned illness to assume the sick role, without an obvious external reward.

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.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Malingering. In malingering, symptoms are consciously feigned for an obvious external gain, such as avoiding legal duties or obtaining compensation.

Why is "Conversion disorder" not the answer?

Conversion disorder involves symptoms that are not consciously produced.

Why is "Illness anxiety disorder" not the answer?

Illness anxiety disorder is a preoccupation with having a serious illness, with genuine fear and not deliberate deception.

Why is "Factitious disorder" not the answer?

Factitious disorder is feigned illness to assume the sick role, without an obvious external reward.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Somatic symptom and related disorders in Psychiatry. In factitious disorder, symptoms are also feigned, but the aim is to assume the sick role.

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 Somatic symptom and related disorders?

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.