Hostility Levels May Predict Treatment Discontinuation Among Patients With Schizophrenia

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Higher levels of hostility are linked with earlier treatment discontinuation in people with schizophrenia, reports a new study published in European Psychiatry. According to the study authors, the findings highlight the importance of establishing a strong physician-patient relationship while managing symptoms of hostility.

To investigate the effects of hostility on treatment discontinuation as well as predictors and correlates of hostility, the study authors pooled data from two large schizophrenia clinical trials—the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) and the European First Episode Schizophrenia Trial (EUFEST)—which provided them with comprehensive medical information from 1,154 patients.

After six months of treatment, more than 60% of patients rated with high hostility had discontinued their medication compared with about 30% of patients with low hostility levels. The greater a patient’s positive symptoms, impaired insight, and/or drug or alcohol consumption, the more likely they were to have heightened hostility. Young age and low adherence to pharmacological treatment also increased risk for higher hostility.

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I wonder if it just means that the person has untreated, or undertreated anxiety (which seems to be linked to or causing of increased anger):

Anger - The Hidden Anxiety Emotion

http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/symptoms/anger

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Thanks for this!
This may explain my sons awful anger. He doesnt want to take any kind of medication for it—except Benadryl. I know he has a lot of anxiety, but I think he feels so out of control most of the time, that he feels he has to order everyone around, and its causing everyone to withdraw from him. Cant even start any conversation with him!

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Here is another look at the issue of anger / hostility from the famous psychologist Aaron Beck:

That I recommend people check out if they are interested in this issue:

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Also levels of social anxiety are higher in those with schizophrenia. I posted this on a social anxiety forum and said I had not,in my case, noticed anger due to my SA but several others said they had.

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I personally think anger is increased when I can’t express myself as well. Now that I’m on 3mgs of Risperdal I can give a rational argument to my mom’s crazy political beliefs instead of just getting angry. I also think it helps to bicker a bit to let steam out instead of holding it all in to explode.

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This makes total sense for my son, but to even start a conversation, or if I say two words about-anything-he will stop it right away. Seems he doesn`t want to hear ANYTHING that will cause his perceptions to be off, or him to be wrong in any way.
Of course, he is unmedicated.