American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ABPN Practice Questions and Study Guide

The significant characteristic of classic trigeminal neuralgia is severe facial pain triggered by minor stimuli. This condition is often described as an episode of intense, sharp, shooting pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, which innervates the face. Patients often report that even light touch, such as a breeze or brushing their teeth, can precipitate excruciating pain, which epitomizes the hallmark of trigeminal neuralgia.

This characteristic pain is usually unilateral, affecting one side of the face, and can occur in paroxysms, leading to significant distress and avoidance of normal activities that might trigger the pain. The trigger sensitivity starkly differentiates it from other types of facial pain, making option B particularly relevant as the defining feature of classic trigeminal neuralgia.

Other types of pain such as persistent pain, localized pain in dental areas, or unilateral pain with constant irritation do not encapsulate the specific trigger-responsive nature of the pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia. While other conditions may involve similar characteristics, they lack the distinctive sharp, episodic pain that occurs with minimal provocation in classic trigeminal neuralgia.