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Pharmacopsychiatry 2012; 45(07): 292-296
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1309004
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Relationship of Akathisia with Treatment Emergent Suicidality among Patients with First-Episode Schizophrenia Treated with Haloperidol or Risperidone

F. Seemüller   *
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
,
U. Lewitzka   *
2    Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
3    Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
,
M. Bauer
2    Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
,
S. Meyer
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
,
R. Musil
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
,
R. Schennach
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
,
M. Riedel
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
4    Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Vinzenz von Paul Hospital, Rottweil, Germany
,
S. Doucette
3    Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
,
H.-J. Möller
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 18 October 2011
revised 20 February 2012

accepted 06 March 2012

Publication Date:
21 May 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Akathisia as well as younger age, early illness onset and discharge are important risk factors for suicidality in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to analyze on a single case basis the relationship between a sudden increase in suicidality, anxiety symptoms, medication dosing and clinician- and patient-rated akathisia. A small subsample of patients demonstrated a positive relationship between suicidality and akathisia scores within the titration period of the study medication.

Key words

akathisia - anxiety - first episode schizophrenia - suicidality
*

*  Both authors contributed equally.


 

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