Table 5 Opinion of the scientific steering committee – persistent negative symptoms

• A switch to aripiprazole should be considered in patients treated with an SGA in case of:

– blunted affect associated with residual psychotic symptoms

– psychomotor retardation

– social withdrawal

• In patients otherwise well-controlled on their current antipsychotic medication with depressed mood or anxiety, specific therapies for these symptoms should be tried before considering changing antipsychotic medication

• Aripiprazole should be considered as an appropriate choice, in combination with an antidepressant, for patients with blunted affect and depressed mood