Senseless repetition of same words phrases over and over again is known as:-

Appeared in: AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Explanation

Verbigeration is the specific psychiatric term for the senseless, stereotyped repetition of words or phrases.
This symptom is a disturbance in the form of thought, indicating a disruption in the logical flow and production of speech.
It is also known as cataphasia and is commonly associated with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
The repetition is meaningless and not related to the current context or conversation.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: Stereotypy is a broader term referring to any repetitive, fixed pattern of action or speech. While verbigeration is a type of verbal stereotypy, it is more specific to the repetition of words and phrases, making it the better answer.
Option B: Transference is a concept from psychoanalytic theory, not a speech or thought disorder. It describes the unconscious process of redirecting feelings and attitudes from a person in the past to a person in the present (e.g., the therapist).
Option D: Broadcasting, specifically 'thought broadcasting,' is a disorder of thought content, specifically a delusion. It is the belief that one's thoughts are being aired to the external world, not the act of repeating words.

Related Visual

A comparative chart distinguishing between different disorders of thought and speech, including Verbigeration, Stereotypy, Echolalia, and Thought Broadcasting, with definitions...

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Disorders of Thought and Speech as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing signs like verbigeration is a critical component of the mental status examination (MSE), helping nurses assess a patient's thought process and identify potential psychosis.
Accurate identification of specific thought disorders aids the multidisciplinary team in forming a correct diagnosis (e.g., schizophrenia vs. an organic brain disorder) and tailoring the treatment plan.
What if? If the patient was repeating words or phrases spoken by the examiner, the correct term would be 'Echolalia.' This is also a sign of a thought disorder but is distinct from the self-initiated repetition seen in verbigeration.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question stem to identify the core definition provided: 'senseless repetition of same words phrases over and over again'.
This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of specific psychiatric terminology.
Evaluate each option against the definition.
Option A, Stereotype, is a broad term for repetitive behaviors.
Option B, Transference, relates to emotions in therapy, not speech patterns.
Option C, Verbigeration, directly matches the definition of repeating words/phrases senselessly.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Disorders of Thought and Speech
Stem keywords: senseless repetition, words, phrases
Lead-in keywords: known as

Question ID

Qv9ZJbWUvMqG6PzfrMRVvm

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 15491-15493, 3795-3797

Practise the full AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

Attempt this paper Attempt in the NPrep app