Forensic psychiatry: marriage and mental disorder: 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 · Forensic psychiatry: marriage and mental disorder

Sample item

Under Indian personal laws, which mental condition can be a ground for annulment or divorce?

AIncurable unsoundness of mind or a mental disorder of such severity that cohabitation cannot reasonably be expectedBA single episode of depression that remittedCMild anxietyDAny past history of psychiatric consultation

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Incurable unsoundness of mind or a mental disorder of such severity that cohabitation cannot reasonably be expected

The Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act recognise unsound mind or a mental disorder of such kind and extent that the spouse cannot reasonably be expected to live with the other as ground for divorce. The disorder must be serious and persistent. Past consultation or a mild disorder is not enough.

Option by option

A. Incurable unsoundness of mind or a mental disorder of such severity that cohabitation cannot reasonably be expected (correct)
Correct. Serious, persistent mental disorder is a ground.
B. A single episode of depression that remitted
A remitted single episode is not a ground.
C. Mild anxiety
Mild anxiety is not a ground.
D. Any past history of psychiatric consultation
A past consultation is not a ground.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Incurable unsoundness of mind or a mental disorder of such severity that cohabitation cannot reasonably be expected. The Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act recognise unsound mind or a mental disorder of such kind and extent that the spouse cannot reasonably be expected to live with the other as ground for divorce.

Why is "A single episode of depression that remitted" not the answer?

A remitted single episode is not a ground.

Why is "Mild anxiety" not the answer?

Mild anxiety is not a ground.

Why is "Any past history of psychiatric consultation" not the answer?

A past consultation is not a ground.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Forensic psychiatry: marriage and mental disorder in Psychiatry. The disorder must be serious and persistent. Past consultation or a mild disorder is not enough.

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 Forensic psychiatry: marriage and mental disorder?

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.