Schizophrenia: simple schizophrenia: 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: simple schizophrenia

Sample item

A 20-year-old gradually loses interest in studies, becomes socially withdrawn and neglects hygiene over two years, with no hallucinations or delusions at any time. Which diagnosis in ICD-10 matches?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Simple schizophrenia

Simple schizophrenia in ICD-10 is an insidious progressive development of negative symptoms and declining function without ever having had clear hallucinations or delusions. It is hard to diagnose and is not included as a subtype in DSM-5. Negative symptoms predominate and prognosis is poor.

Option by option

  • A. Major depressive disorder

    Depression would show persistent low mood and cognitive and biological symptoms, which are not described.

  • B. Simple schizophrenia (correct)

    Correct. Slow decline with negative symptoms and no psychosis fits simple schizophrenia.

  • C. Schizotypal disorder

    Schizotypal disorder shows eccentric behaviour and odd beliefs without definite schizophrenic decline.

  • D. Paranoid schizophrenia

    Paranoid schizophrenia needs prominent delusions or hallucinations.

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 B, Simple schizophrenia. Simple schizophrenia in ICD-10 is an insidious progressive development of negative symptoms and declining function without ever having had clear hallucinations or delusions.

Why is "Major depressive disorder" not the answer?

Depression would show persistent low mood and cognitive and biological symptoms, which are not described.

Why is "Schizotypal disorder" not the answer?

Schizotypal disorder shows eccentric behaviour and odd beliefs without definite schizophrenic decline.

Why is "Paranoid schizophrenia" not the answer?

Paranoid schizophrenia needs prominent delusions or hallucinations.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Schizophrenia: simple schizophrenia in Psychiatry. It is hard to diagnose and is not included as a subtype in DSM-5. Negative symptoms predominate and prognosis is poor.

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: simple schizophrenia?

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.