Personality disorders: 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 · Personality disorders

Sample item

Which pattern is typical of borderline personality disorder?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Unstable relationships, identity, affect, and impulsivity

Borderline personality disorder features instability in relationships, self-image, affect, and behaviour, often with fear of abandonment and self-harm risk.

Option by option

  • A. Excessive perfectionism without flexibility

    Rigid perfectionism suggests anankastic traits.

  • B. Unstable relationships, identity, affect, and impulsivity (correct)

    Correct: pervasive instability and impulsivity are characteristic.

  • C. Social detachment with no desire for relationships

    Detachment suggests schizoid traits.

  • D. Persistent rule-breaking without remorse only

    Rule-breaking pattern suggests antisocial traits.

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 B, Unstable relationships, identity, affect, and impulsivity. Borderline personality disorder features instability in relationships, self-image, affect, and behaviour, often with fear of abandonment and self-harm risk.

Why is "Excessive perfectionism without flexibility" not the answer?

Rigid perfectionism suggests anankastic traits.

Why is "Social detachment with no desire for relationships" not the answer?

Detachment suggests schizoid traits.

Why is "Persistent rule-breaking without remorse only" not the answer?

Rule-breaking pattern suggests antisocial traits.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Personality disorders in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: pervasive instability and impulsivity are characteristic.

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 Personality disorders?

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.