Aripiprazole for the Treatment of Schizophrenia With Co-Morbid Social Anxiety

Although research has shown that social anxiety is very common among patients suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, it is rarely diagnosed and treated in this patient population. This study will determine the efficacy of a medication switch to Aripiprazole for the treatment of schizophrenia in patients with moderate to high symptoms of social anxiety. Specifically the study will test the possibility that a medication switch to Aripiprazole reduces symptoms of social anxiety in this patient population. In addition, the study will test the possibility that Aripiprazole significantly improves social adjustment, quality of life and level of functioning in these patients. The study may also assess the ability of Aripiprazole to reduce sexual dysfunction.