Social anxiety is a common, but frequently overlooked, aspect of schizophrenia and is linked to a very high level of disability. The authors surveyed patients with schizophrenia and a control group of patients with a social anxiety disorder to clearly describe the evaluation, effect, clinical correlates, and implications of social anxiety in schizophrenia. The clinical significance of anxiety disorders in schizophrenia is still underappreciated, despite epidemiological research showing a high incidence of these conditions. Anxiety has been linked to worse social functioning, a higher likelihood of relapse, and a higher risk of suicide in schizophrenia patients. It is found that in 31.2% of instances in which the development of panic disorder preceded the onset of schizophrenia, 47.5% of schizophrenia patients had a lifetime history of panic attacks and that the treatment of panic disorder improved clinical and social outcomes
