"Panic disorder" in schizophrenia

Abstract

A patient is described with operationally diagnosed chronic schizophrenia who simultaneously experienced repeated "attacks" during which times he had intense apprehension and autonomic hyperactivity entirely similar to that usually described under the rubric of "panic attacks" in nonschizophrenic patients. Delusional and hallucinatory symptoms were also transiently exacerbated during these episodes. Alprazolam, as an adjunct to fluphenazine decanoate, was effective in ameliorating these symptoms. Diagnostic and treatment implications are discussed.