Read the passage and answer the questions:
Anita is often found talking to herself alone. Her family is concerned because they have seen a gradual decline in her social life. She has stopped meeting her friends and chooses to stay inside, fantasizing about her idea of new world wherein she is the creator of a utopian territory with absolute law. A friend suggested that they take her to a therapist for treatment. It was observed that whenever she was approached by someone for a conversation, she would get agitated and blame them for stealing her ideas and thoughts. She is not able to think logically. She speaks in a peculiar way. Her situation is affecting both her social and personal life; the disturbed thought process is disrupting her basic functioning and thought process.
When Anita accuses people of stealing her thoughts in an unrelated conversation, her emotions are unsuited to the situation. What is the term used for this affect?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Inappropriate Affect
Option (1) Blunted Affect — Incorrect. Blunted affect means showing less anger, sadness, joy and other feelings than most people do. It is a negative symptom, a reduction of emotion, while Anita shows emotion that does not fit.
Option (2) Inappropriate Affect — Correct. People with schizophrenia show inappropriate affect, that is, emotions that are unsuited to the situation. Anita gets agitated and accuses people of stealing her thoughts in an unrelated conversation, the very mismatch the question describes.
Option (3) Flat Affect — Incorrect. In flat affect a person shows no emotions at all. Anita’s agitation is a strong emotion, so her affect is not flat.
Option (4) Visual Hallucination — Incorrect. A visual hallucination is a perception, vague perceptions of colour or distinct visions of people or objects without any external stimulus. It is not a kind of affect, that is, emotion.
NCERT (2025-26): “Symptoms of Schizophrenia … People with schizophrenia also show inappropriate affect, i.e. emotions that are unsuited to the situation.…” “…Many people with schizophrenia show less anger, sadness, joy, and other feelings than most people do. Thus they have blunted affect. Some show no emotions at all, a condition known as flat affect.…” |