Substance use: hallucinogen persisting perception 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 · Substance use: hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

Sample item

A 24-year-old man who stopped using LSD four months ago repeatedly sees trailing images behind moving objects and geometric patterns in his visual field. He recognises these as unreal and is otherwise well. He has no current intoxication. Which diagnosis fits?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder is the recurrence of perceptual disturbances, especially visual, after the drug has worn off, with preserved insight. It can appear weeks to years after use and is distressing but not psychotic.

Option by option

  • A. Brief psychotic disorder

    Brief psychotic disorder involves delusions or disorganisation without insight.

  • B. Alcoholic hallucinosis

    Alcoholic hallucinosis occurs in drinkers, typically as auditory hallucinations in clear consciousness.

  • C. Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (correct)

    Correct. Recurrent perceptual disturbances with insight long after hallucinogen use are characteristic.

  • D. Migraine with visual aura

    Migraine aura is a short visual disturbance accompanied by or followed by headache.

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, Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder. Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder is the recurrence of perceptual disturbances, especially visual, after the drug has worn off, with preserved insight.

Why is "Brief psychotic disorder" not the answer?

Brief psychotic disorder involves delusions or disorganisation without insight.

Why is "Alcoholic hallucinosis" not the answer?

Alcoholic hallucinosis occurs in drinkers, typically as auditory hallucinations in clear consciousness.

Why is "Migraine with visual aura" not the answer?

Migraine aura is a short visual disturbance accompanied by or followed by headache.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: hallucinogen persisting perception disorder in Psychiatry. It can appear weeks to years after use and is distressing but not psychotic.

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 Substance use: hallucinogen persisting perception 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.