Anxiety and related disorders: astasia-abasia: 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 · Anxiety and related disorders: astasia-abasia

Sample item

After a family quarrel, a 28-year-old woman cannot stand or walk unaided. Neurological examination in bed shows normal power and sensation, and she moves her legs well when lying down. When walking she lurches dramatically but never falls. What is this gait pattern called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Astasia-abasia

Astasia-abasia is a functional gait disturbance in conversion disorder, with inability to stand or walk although leg function is intact on the bed. The gait is bizarre and wildly swaying, yet falls and injury are rare. Normal examination findings contrast with the severe disability.

Option by option

  • A. Cerebellar ataxia

    Cerebellar ataxia is a wide-based, staggering gait with other cerebellar signs and consistent falls.

  • B. Astasia-abasia (correct)

    Correct. Dramatic lurching without falls and normal strength elsewhere is astasia-abasia.

  • C. Sensory ataxia

    Sensory ataxia worsens with eyes closed and comes with loss of joint position sense.

  • D. Festinating gait

    Festinating gait is the shuffling, accelerating gait of Parkinson disease.

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, Astasia-abasia. Astasia-abasia is a functional gait disturbance in conversion disorder, with inability to stand or walk although leg function is intact on the bed.

Why is "Cerebellar ataxia" not the answer?

Cerebellar ataxia is a wide-based, staggering gait with other cerebellar signs and consistent falls.

Why is "Sensory ataxia" not the answer?

Sensory ataxia worsens with eyes closed and comes with loss of joint position sense.

Why is "Festinating gait" not the answer?

Festinating gait is the shuffling, accelerating gait of Parkinson disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety and related disorders: astasia-abasia in Psychiatry. The gait is bizarre and wildly swaying, yet falls and injury are rare. Normal examination findings contrast with the severe disability.

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 Anxiety and related disorders: astasia-abasia?

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.