The patient was a 34-year-old female, suffering from schizophrenia for 14 years (diagnosed according to the 10th revision of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems criteria) who had previously been psychiatrically hospitalized four times, with the last time being 5 years ago. The first episode and three following exacerbations were typical paranoid syndromes with delusions, auditory hallucinations, and disorganization. In a stable period, the patient presented moderate severity of negative symptoms (blunted and inappropriate affect, social withdrawal, decreased overall activity) and anxiety, and moderate cognitive problems (attention and memory difficulties), which were the main indication for participation in the study. In positive symptomatology, the patient described only transient mild delusions of reference. Improvement in affective symptoms was achieved earlier by the use of venlafaxine and for this reason the drug was continued. No manic or hypomanic episodes in the patient were noted in the past.
