Psychotic disorders: delusion of control: 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 · Psychotic disorders: delusion of control

Sample item

A patient says, 'An electric machine in the next building makes me raise my arm; it is not my own will.' This is

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Delusion of control (made act)

In delusions of control the patient experiences their actions or movements as imposed by an external agency, as with made acts. It is one of Schneider's first-rank symptoms. The experience is of will being replaced, not merely of an urge.

Option by option

  • A. Thought insertion

    Thought insertion concerns thoughts, not movements.

  • B. Delusional mood

    Delusional mood is a vague feeling that something strange is going on.

  • C. Delusion of control (made act) (correct)

    Correct. External imposition of an action is a made act.

  • D. Obsessional impulse

    An obsessional impulse is recognised as one's own and is resisted.

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, Delusion of control (made act). In delusions of control the patient experiences their actions or movements as imposed by an external agency, as with made acts.

Why is "Thought insertion" not the answer?

Thought insertion concerns thoughts, not movements.

Why is "Delusional mood" not the answer?

Delusional mood is a vague feeling that something strange is going on.

Why is "Obsessional impulse" not the answer?

An obsessional impulse is recognised as one's own and is resisted.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: delusion of control in Psychiatry. It is one of Schneider's first-rank symptoms. The experience is of will being replaced, not merely of an urge.

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 Psychotic disorders: delusion of control?

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.