Panic and Paranoia

Letter to the Editor

Sir: Galynker and colleagues present four most interesting cases of patients whose panic attacks are accompanied by a variety of psychotic symptoms and in the process alert both clinicians and researchers to what may be an important but neglected phenomenon in the development of psychotic disorders.

Few experiences are more stressful than a panic attack. Stress has been implicated in the exacerbation or onset of schizophrenia. Indeed, it has been estimated that the risk for the development of schizophrenia is increased tenfold among persons with panic attacks compared to the general population.