Panic disorder in schizophrenia

Objective: To determine the frequency of panic attack and panic disorder in patients with chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Methods: Fifty-three male outpatients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Ma nual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for chronic schizophrenia or sch izoaffective disorder were administered sections of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). If panic attacks were reported, patients were queried about treatment and about onset relative to psychotic symptoms. Results: Forty-nine patients were sufficiently organized to participate in the evaluation. Twenty-one (43%) experienced panic attack, and 16 (33%) had current or past panic disorder. Eight (50%) of the 16 with panic disorder had been treated for panic. Substance dependence was not associated with ha ving panic attacks or current or past panic disorder. Patients with paranoi d schizophrenia were more likely than patients with schizoaffective or undi fferentiated schizophrenia to have experienced panic attacks (57% versus 20 %, chi(2) = 6.0, P < 0.02) or panic disorder (47% versus 10%, chi(2) = 6.9, P < 0.01) Conclusion: Panic attack and panic disorder are common in men with schizoph renia or schizoaffective disorder. Panic disorder may be an overlooked como rbid diagnosis in patients with schizophrenia.