Comorbid anxiety disorders in patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: According to recent research, it is still more evident that patients with schizophrenia also suffer from anxiety disorders. Although there is a significant clinical relevance, the impact of anxiety disorders in patients with schizophrenia remains poorly understood. METHOD: A literature search was conducted via Medline and Web of Science using key words relating to schizophrenia and all diagnoses of anxiety disorders. This article reviews the epidemiology and phenomenology of comorbid anxiety symptoms and disorders in schizophrenia. RESULTS: The literature review shows that anxiety and comorbidity with panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or posttraumatic stress disorder are all more common in schizophrenia than in the population. Higher levels of anxiety or comorbid diagnosis of anxiety disorder are associated with lower quality of life, impaired functioning, increased incidence of suicide attempts and increased relapse risk. This comorbidity negatively affects treatment efficacy and outcome of the disorder. Comorbidity of anxiety disorder may also play a role in processes that underpin the development of psychotic symptoms. The conventional treatment for anxiety disorder can help alleviate anxiety symptoms in those patients. CONCLUSION: The data support the importance of correct evaluating and treatment of comorbid anxiety disorders and symptoms in schizophrenia patients.