Schizophrenia: hebephrenic subtype: 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 · Schizophrenia: hebephrenic subtype

Sample item

In ICD-10, an 18-year-old develops silly giggling, mannerisms, incoherent speech and shallow inappropriate affect over a year, with no organised delusions. Which subtype fits best?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hebephrenic (disorganised)

Hebephrenic or disorganised schizophrenia typically starts in adolescence or early adulthood with disorganised speech and behaviour and flat or inappropriate affect. Delusions and hallucinations are fleeting and fragmentary. The prognosis is poor because negative symptoms develop rapidly.

Option by option

  • A. Paranoid

    Paranoid has well-organised delusions with relatively preserved affect.

  • B. Residual

    Residual denotes a chronic stage with negative symptoms after florid psychosis has faded.

  • C. Hebephrenic (disorganised) (correct)

    Correct. Early onset with silliness, disorganisation and inappropriate affect is hebephrenic.

  • D. Undifferentiated

    Undifferentiated is used when criteria are met but no specific subtype dominates.

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 C, Hebephrenic (disorganised). Hebephrenic or disorganised schizophrenia typically starts in adolescence or early adulthood with disorganised speech and behaviour and flat or inappropriate affect.

Why is "Paranoid" not the answer?

Paranoid has well-organised delusions with relatively preserved affect.

Why is "Residual" not the answer?

Residual denotes a chronic stage with negative symptoms after florid psychosis has faded.

Why is "Undifferentiated" not the answer?

Undifferentiated is used when criteria are met but no specific subtype dominates.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Schizophrenia: hebephrenic subtype in Psychiatry. Delusions and hallucinations are fleeting and fragmentary. The prognosis is poor because negative symptoms develop rapidly.

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 Schizophrenia: hebephrenic subtype?

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.