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Correlation of panic attacks and hostility in chronic schizophrenia
1Department of Psychiatry, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang-Gung University School of Medicine, 5 Fu-Shing, St, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|July 10, 2001
Summary
Panic attacks in schizophrenia patients are linked to increased hostility and anger. These symptoms may be overlooked by psychiatrists, impacting depression and functioning.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder.
- Hostility and anger attacks are common in schizophrenia patients.
- The relationship between panic attacks and hostility in schizophrenia is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between panic attacks and hostility in patients with chronic schizophrenia.
- To assess the impact of panic attacks on psychopathology and functioning in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-two patients with chronic schizophrenia were interviewed.
- Panic attacks were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.
- Psychopathology and functioning were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF).
Main Results:
- Eight patients (25%) met criteria for panic attacks.
- Patients with panic attacks showed significantly higher HDRS scores (P < 0.01) and lower GAF scores (P < 0.05).
- Panic attacks were associated with significantly higher hostility scores on the BPRS (P = 0.01) and correlated with more severe depression, greater hostility, and lower functioning.
Conclusions:
- Increased hostility and anger spells may be indicative of panic attacks in schizophrenia.
- Panic attacks in schizophrenia patients are associated with greater psychopathology and functional impairment.
- Psychiatrists may overlook panic attacks as a symptom in schizophrenia, necessitating further clinical attention.