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Behavioural aggression in panic disorder after 8 weeks' treatment with alprazolam
A J Bond1, H V Curran, M S Bruce
1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, UK.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|December 13, 1995
Summary
Alprazolam reduced anxiety and hostility in panic disorder patients. However, it also increased aggressive behavior in response to provocation, suggesting potential benzodiazepine-induced dyscontrol.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuropharmacology
Background:
- Panic disorder with agoraphobia is a debilitating condition.
- Benzodiazepines, like alprazolam, are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders.
- Clinical observations suggest potential behavioral side effects of benzodiazepines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of alprazolam on anxiety, hostility, and behavioral aggression in patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia.
- To objectively measure benzodiazepine-induced behavioral changes using a laboratory task.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 23 patients diagnosed with panic disorder with agoraphobia.
- 8 weeks of treatment with either alprazolam or placebo.
- Self-ratings of anxiety and hostility before and after treatment.
- Assessment of behavioral aggression using a competitive reaction time task post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Both alprazolam and placebo groups reported decreased anxiety.
- Alprazolam group showed a trend towards reduced hostility.
- Patients treated with alprazolam exhibited increased aggressive behavior when provoked on the reaction time task.
Conclusions:
- Alprazolam may reduce subjective anxiety and hostility but can increase objective behavioral aggression.
- This study provides objective laboratory evidence supporting clinical reports of benzodiazepine-induced dyscontrol.
- Further research with larger patient groups is warranted to confirm these findings.