Panic attacks in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A complication of long-term neuroleptic treatment

Panic attacks meeting the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder (DSM-III-R ) were found in nine (20%) of 45 patients suffering chronic schizophrenia f or more than 5 years. The scores of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale an d the Simpson Angus Scale were significantly higher in the group of patient s with panic attacks. They also tended to be taking neuroleptics in larger doses than in the other group. The present report suggests that long-term t reatment with neuroleptics is closely related to the manifestation of panic attacks in chronic schizophrenia. It also suggests that when panic attacks are seen frequently in patients taking high doses of neuroleptics, dose re duction of neuroleptics should be considered.