Schizophrenia and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder: A clinical investigation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We compared characteristics of schizophrenia patients with prior LSD use who developed hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (SCH+HPPD) with those who did not (SCH-HPPD).

METHODS: Data were collected for 37 subjects in the SCH+HPPD group and 43 subjects in the SCH-HPPD group.

RESULTS: Socio-demographics and positive symptom scores were similar between groups. Individuals in the SCHIZO+HPPD group scored lower on general psychopathology and negative symptoms scores.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with schizophrenia and HPPD present with less severe psychopathology, despite persistent perceptual disturbances.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings highlight the importance of further research into this subset of patients.