Culture-bound syndromes: amok: 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 · Culture-bound syndromes: amok

Sample item

A young Malay man, after brooding over an insult, suddenly goes on a violent rampage attacking people, followed by amnesia. This syndrome is

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Amok

Amok is a dissociative episode of sudden unprovoked indiscriminate violence after a period of brooding, described in Malaysia, with amnesia afterwards. Latah is an exaggerated startle response with echolalia and automatic obedience. Koro is fear of genital retraction.

Option by option

  • A. Amok (correct)

    Correct. A violent rampage followed by amnesia is amok.

  • B. Dhat syndrome

    Dhat syndrome is anxiety about semen loss.

  • C. Latah

    Latah is an exaggerated startle with echo phenomena.

  • D. Koro

    Koro is fear of the penis retracting into the abdomen.

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 A, Amok. Amok is a dissociative episode of sudden unprovoked indiscriminate violence after a period of brooding, described in Malaysia, with amnesia afterwards.

Why is "Dhat syndrome" not the answer?

Dhat syndrome is anxiety about semen loss.

Why is "Latah" not the answer?

Latah is an exaggerated startle with echo phenomena.

Why is "Koro" not the answer?

Koro is fear of the penis retracting into the abdomen.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Culture-bound syndromes: amok in Psychiatry. Latah is an exaggerated startle response with echolalia and automatic obedience. Koro is fear of genital retraction.

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 Culture-bound syndromes: amok?

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.