Psychogenic Polydipsia-Associated Water Intoxication: Case Report

Abstract

C ompulsive drinking or psychogenic polydipsia refers to excessive, uncontrolled, water intake unrelated to the sensation of thirst. Primary or psychological polydipsia can be seen in 6%-20% of the patients with psychiatric problems [1]. Development of water intoxication has been indicated in 1%-5% of the patients [2]. Though polydipsia is a dangerous condition that is commonly seen in patients with schizophrenia, it is often overlooked [3]. In the short term, it may cause excessive fluid consumption that may lead to water intoxication characterized by dilutional hyponatremia resulting in inadequate elimination of excess fluid from the kidneys, leading to confusion and seizures [4, 5]. Water intoxication, as first described by Barahal in 1938, may progress with the symptoms of hyponatremia as headache, nausea, seizure, and coma that may lead to death [6, 7] .