Personality Disorders — MCQs

Personality Disorders Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 131: A man regularly derives sexual gratification by inflicting pain upon his partner. He would often produce cuts and cigarette burns on his partner's arms. This is best described as?

A. Masochism
B. Voyeurism
C. Sadism (Correct Answer)
D. Fetishism

Explanation: ***Sadism*** - **Sexual sadism** is defined by recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving inflicting **physical or psychological suffering** on another person. - In this case, the man derives sexual gratification from causing pain (cuts and cigarette burns) to his partner, which is a direct manifestation of sadistic behavior. *Masochism* - **Sexual masochism** involves deriving sexual gratification from being **humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer**. - The scenario describes the individual inflicting pain, not experiencing it, thus ruling out masochism. *Voyeurism* - **Voyeurism** is characterized by deriving sexual gratification from **observing unsuspecting people** who are naked, disrobing, or engaging in sexual activity. - The behavior described involves active participation and infliction of pain, not covert observation. *Fetishism* - **Fetishism** involves recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving the use of **non-living objects (fetishes)** or a highly specific focus on non-genital body parts. - While some fetishes might involve pain, the primary driver here is the act of inflicting suffering, not the attachment to an inanimate object or specific body part.

Question 132: A 24-year-old male presents for evaluation. He appears very calm and charming in front of the psychiatrist but often gets into fights with friends, skips classes, breaks traffic rules, and is involved in multiple police cases. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Narcissistic personality disorder
B. Paranoid personality disorder
C. Schizotypal personality disorder
D. Antisocial personality disorder (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Antisocial personality disorder*** - The patient's **charming demeanor** while frequently engaging in **fights, rule-breaking**, and **legal issues** is characteristic of antisocial personality disorder. - Individuals with this disorder often display **disregard for social norms**, lack **empathy**, and have a history of **irresponsibility** and **deceitfulness**. *Narcissistic personality disorder* - This disorder is marked by a pervasive pattern of **grandiosity**, a need for **admiration**, and a lack of **empathy**, but it does not typically involve a pattern of recurrent **antisocial behavior** or **criminality** like that described. - While they might be perceived as charming, their primary motivation is self-enhancement and they are less likely to repeatedly engage in behaviors that actively violate the rights of others or societal rules for personal gain or impulsivity. *Paranoid personality disorder* - Characterized by pervasive **distrust and suspiciousness** of others' motives, interpreting them as malevolent, which is not depicted in this patient's presentation. - Individuals with this disorder tend to be **guarded, hold grudges**, and may be **secretive**, rather than openly engaging in antisocial acts and charming manipulation. *Schizotypal personality disorder* - Involves patterns of **eccentric behavior**, peculiar thinking, and extreme discomfort in close relationships, often due to **perceptual distortions** or **magical beliefs**. - This patient's presentation of social charm and calculated antisocial acts is not consistent with the **social isolation** and **oddities** typical of schizotypal personality disorder.

Question 133: A young person presents with self-mutilating behaviour and impulsivity. What are they most likely suffering from?

A. Dependent personality disorder
B. Adjustment disorder
C. Borderline personality disorder (Correct Answer)
D. Paranoid personality disorder

Explanation: ***Borderline personality disorder*** - **Self-mutilating behavior** (e.g., cutting) and **impulsivity** are hallmark features of borderline personality disorder. - Individuals with BPD often experience intense emotional dysregulation, unstable relationships, and a fear of abandonment, leading to these behaviors. *Dependent personality disorder* - Characterized by an excessive need to be cared for, leading to submissive and clinging behavior, and fears of separation. - While it can involve unstable relationships due to dependency, it typically does not manifest with recurrent **self-mutilating behaviors** or significant **impulsivity** as core features. *Adjustment disorder* - This disorder is a short-term, stress-related condition that occurs in response to a specific **identifiable stressor**. - While individuals might exhibit behavioral symptoms, it is by definition time-limited and reactive to an external event, and **self-mutilating behavior** and chronic **impulsivity** are not primary diagnostic criteria. *Paranoid personality disorder* - Defined by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, interpreting their motives as malevolent. - This disorder is primarily characterized by paranoid ideation and guardedness, rather than the intrinsic **impulsivity** and **self-harm** seen in borderline personality disorder.

Question 134: Ephebophilia is:-

A. Sexual attraction of an adult with elderly
B. Sexual attraction of an adult with adults
C. Sexual attraction of an adult with pubescent adolescents (Correct Answer)
D. Sexual attraction of an adult with children

Explanation: ***Correct: Option C - Sexual attraction of an adult with pubescent adolescents*** - **Ephebophilia** refers to the primary or exclusive adult sexual interest in **mid-to-late adolescents**, typically ages 15-19 years (pubescent to post-pubescent stage) - This is distinct from pedophilia (prepubescent children) and is considered a **chronophilia** (sexual preference based on age) - The term is derived from the Greek word "ephebos" meaning **adolescent youth** *Incorrect: Option A - Sexual attraction of an adult with elderly* - This describes **gerontophilia**, which is sexual attraction to elderly individuals - Not related to ephebophilia *Incorrect: Option B - Sexual attraction of an adult with adults* - This describes normal adult sexuality, also termed **teleiophilia** - This is the typical sexual orientation toward physically mature adults *Incorrect: Option D - Sexual attraction of an adult with children* - This describes **pedophilia**, which is sexual attraction to prepubescent children - Pedophilia involves attraction to children typically under 13 years, while ephebophilia involves older adolescents

Question 135: A person who exposes their genitals in public places for sexual gratification is exhibiting -

A. Frotteurism
B. Fetishism
C. Voyeurism
D. Exhibitionism (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Exhibitionism*** - This is defined by recurrent, intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors involving the **exposure of one's genitals to an unsuspecting stranger** for sexual arousal. - The individual typically experiences sexual gratification from the act of shocking, surprising, or sexually stimulating the observer. - The key feature is **exposing genitals in public settings** to non-consenting individuals. *Frotteurism* - This involves recurrent, intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors regarding **touching and rubbing against a non-consenting person** in public places, often in crowded situations. - The sexual gratification is derived from the physical contact, not from displaying one's own body. *Fetishism* - This paraphilia involves recurrent, intense sexual urges and fantasies involving **non-living objects or non-genital body parts**. - Examples include sexual arousal from shoes, leather, or specific body parts like feet. - It does not involve public exposure of one's genitals. *Voyeurism* - This paraphilia involves recurrent, intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors regarding **observing unsuspecting people who are naked, disrobing, or engaging in sexual activity**. - The pleasure is derived from secretly watching others, not from being observed oneself.

Question 136: Sexual gratification by inflicting pain on partner -

A. Sadism (Correct Answer)
B. Necrophilia
C. Bestiality
D. Sodomy

Explanation: ***Sadism*** - **Sadism** is a paraphilia defined by the achievement of **sexual gratification** through the act of inflicting physical or psychological **pain, suffering, or humiliation** on another person. - The inflicted pain is an essential component for the individual with sadism to experience **sexual arousal** and pleasure. *Necrophilia* - **Necrophilia** is a paraphilia characterized by sexual attraction to or sexual acts with **corpses**. - This involves sexual contact with deceased individuals, not the infliction of pain on a living partner. *Bestiality* - **Bestiality** refers to sexual activity or attraction between a human and an **animal**. - This paraphilia involves animals and does not relate to inflicting pain on a human partner. *Sodomy* - Historically, **sodomy** has been used as a legal term to refer to "unnatural carnal copulation" and often specifically to **anal intercourse** or oral sex. - While it can be non-consensual in some contexts, it primarily refers to specific sexual acts and not necessarily the infliction of pain for sexual gratification by default, as covered by sadism.

Question 137: Sexual masochism is?

A. Sexual gratification is obtained by infliction of pain
B. Painful penile erection in absence of sexual desire
C. Sexual gratification obtained by the suffering of pain (Correct Answer)
D. None of the options

Explanation: ***Sexual gratification obtained by the suffering of pain*** - **Sexual masochism** is a paraphilia characterized by recurrent, intense sexual arousal from the act of being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer. - According to **DSM-5**, the individual derives **sexual pleasure** from experiencing pain, humiliation, or degradation inflicted upon themselves. - This is the **correct definition** of sexual masochism. *Sexual gratification is obtained by infliction of pain* - This describes **sexual sadism**, not masochism. - In sadism, the individual achieves sexual arousal from **inflicting pain** or suffering on another person. - The key difference: sadism involves **causing pain to others**, while masochism involves **experiencing pain oneself**. *Painful penile erection in absence of sexual desire* - This describes **priapism**, a prolonged and often painful erection of the penis that occurs without sexual stimulation or desire. - It is a **medical emergency** requiring urgent treatment and has no relation to paraphilias or sexual masochism. *None of the options* - This is incorrect because option 3 (sexual gratification obtained by the suffering of pain) accurately defines sexual masochism.

Question 138: In which of the following conditions is the only means of sexual excitement inanimate objects?

A. Fetishism (Correct Answer)
B. Exhibitionism
C. Sadism
D. Masochism

Explanation: ***Fetishism*** - **Fetishism** is a paraphilic disorder characterized by recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving the use of **inanimate objects**. - The object, often clothing or common materials, becomes the **sole or primary means of sexual excitement**. *Exhibitionism* - **Exhibitionism** involves recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors of **exposing one's genitals to an unsuspecting stranger**. - The excitement is derived from the **reaction of the observer**, not an inanimate object. *Sadism* - **Sadism** is a paraphilic disorder characterized by sexual arousal from the **physical or psychological suffering of another person**. - The excitement comes from inflicting **pain, humiliation, or bondage** on a consensual or non-consensual partner. *Masochism* - **Masochism** involves recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors in which the individual derives sexual excitement from **being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer**. - In this paraphilia, the individual is the recipient of the **pain or humiliation**, not an inanimate object.

Question 139: A person of eonism derives pleasure from.

A. Seeing the opposite partner nude
B. Wearing clothes of the opposite sex (Correct Answer)
C. Fondling female body parts
D. Rubbing genitalia against the body of another person

Explanation: ***Wearing clothes of the opposite sex*** - **Eonism**, also known as **transvestic fetishism**, is a paraphilia where an individual (typically male) derives sexual arousal from **wearing clothes and impersonating the opposite sex**. - This cross-dressing is typically for sexual pleasure and not due to gender identity issues, distinguishing it from transgender experiences. *Seeing the opposite partner nude* - While many individuals find pleasure in seeing their partner nude, this act is not categorized as **eonism** or a paraphilia. - It is a common and typically non-pathological aspect of sexual intimacy. *Fondling female body parts* - This describes a general sexual act and is not specific to **eonism**. - Sexual pleasure derived from touching female body parts is a common aspect of heterosexual sexual behavior. *Rubbing genitalia against the body of another person* - This behavior is characteristic of **frotteurism**, a paraphilia where a person derives sexual arousal from rubbing against a non-consenting person, often in crowded public places. - It is distinct from **eonism**, which involves cross-dressing for sexual gratification.

Question 140: Voyeurism is characterized by which of the following?

A. Sexual gratification by self-inflicted pain
B. Sexual gratification by watching the act of sexual intercourse (Correct Answer)
C. Use of objects for sexual gratification
D. Sexual gratification by rubbing against others in crowded places

Explanation: ***Sexual gratification by watching the act of sexual intercourse*** - **Voyeurism** is a paraphilic disorder characterized by **recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies**, urges, or behaviors involving observing an unsuspecting person who is naked, disrobing, or engaging in sexual activity. - The individual typically achieves sexual arousal and gratification from the act of **secretly observing** rather than directly interacting with the person being watched. *Sexual gratification is by self-pain* - This describes **sexual masochism**, where sexual arousal is achieved from being **humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer**. - It involves receiving pain or degradation, which is distinct from observing others. *Use of such objects for sexual gratification* - This is closer to **fetishistic disorder**, where sexual arousal is focused on **non-living objects or specific non-genital body parts**. - This differs from voyeurism, which specifically involves observing people. *Sexual gratification by rubbing private part* - This describes **frotteurism**, a paraphilia where a person experiences sexual arousal from **rubbing against or touching an unsuspecting person** in a crowded public place. - The key element is physical contact, which is absent in voyeurism.

Practice by Chapter

Classification of Personality Disorders

Practice Questions

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Practice Questions

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Practice Questions

Cluster C Personality Disorders

Practice Questions

Borderline Personality Disorder

Practice Questions

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Practice Questions

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Practice Questions

Psychotherapy for Personality Disorders

Practice Questions

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Practice Questions

Mentalization-Based Therapy

Practice Questions

Pharmacological Approaches

Practice Questions

Outcome and Prognosis

Practice Questions

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