The Unquenchable Thirst in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders: A Case Series of Psychogenic Polydipsia

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published: Nov 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.v21.i6.1378
Keywords:
Psychogenic polydipsia, Water intoxication, Hyponatremia, Psychosis, Seizure

Main Article Content

Siti Nur Najibah Fauzi
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Aisyah Che Rahimi
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Zahiruddin Othman
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Syaheedatul Iman Dinsuhaimi
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Nur Izat Muhamad
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Faiz Mustafar
Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Psychogenic polydipsia is a prevalent yet often underdiagnosed condition among individuals with psychiatric disorders. Left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, although these are rare. Case series: We presented three cases examining the occurrence of psychogenic polydipsia in patients with psychiatric disorders to elucidate its clinical features and therapeutic approaches within this specific population. Addressing the unique challenges it poses in patients with psychiatric disorder necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its manifestations and management. Conclusion: The presented cases underscore the urgency for increased awareness among mental health professionals, early identification of polydipsic symptoms, and tailored treatment strategies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Fauzi, S. N. N., Che Rahimi, A., Othman, Z., Dinsuhaimi, S. I., Muhamad, N. I., & Mustafar, F. (2025). The Unquenchable Thirst in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders: A Case Series of Psychogenic Polydipsia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 21(6), 1378.1–1378.5. https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.v21.i6.1378
Issue
Vol. 21 No. 6 (2025)
Section
Case Series
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

References

Sailer CO, Winzeler B, Nigro N, Suter‐Widmer I, Arici B, Bally M, et al. Characteristics and outcomes of patients with profound hyponatraemia due to primary polydipsia. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2017;87(5):492–9.doi: 10.1111/cen.13384.

Chen LC. Polydipsia, hyponatremia and rhabdomyolysis in schizophrenia: A case report. World J Psychiatry. 2014;4(4):150.doi: 10.5498/wjp.v4.i4.150.

Kotagiri R, Kutti Sridharan G. Primary Polydipsia. StatPearls. 2024 [cited 2024 Jul 6]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562251.

De Leon J, Verghese C, Tracy JI, Josiassen RC, Simpson GM. Polydipsia and water intoxication in psychiatric patients: A review of the epidemiological literature. Biol Psychiatry. 1994;35(6):408–19.doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(94)90008-6.

Duraiswamy K, Rao NP, Venkatasubramanian G, Behere RV, Varambally SS, Gangadhar BN. Psychogenic polydipsia in bipolar affective disorder - A case report. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2011; 33 (1): 84.e9-84.e10. doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.11.003.

Williams ST, Kores RC. Psychogenic polydipsia: Comparison of a community sample with an institutionalized population. Psychiatry Res. 2011;187(1–2):310–1.doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2010.10.035.

Gerhant A, Słotwiński M, Hołownia O, Stelmach E, Olajossy M. Hiponatremia in the practice of a psychiatrist. Part 2: psychogenic polydipsia. Curr Probl Psychiatry. 2017;18(2):138–52.doi: 10.1515/cpp-2017-0012.

Bahia A, Chu ES, Mehler PS. Polydipsia and hyponatremia in a woman with anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44(2):186–8. doi: 10.1002/eat.20792

Sailer CO, Bettina W, Mirjam CC. Primary polydipsia in the medical and psychiatric patient: Characteristics, complications and therapy. Swiss Med Wkly. 2017;147:w14514.doi: 10.4414/smw.2017.14514.

Gill M, McCauley M. Psychogenic polydipsia: The result, or cause of, deteriorating psychotic symptoms? A case report of the consequences of water intoxication. Case Rep Psychiatry. 2015;2015:1–3.doi:10.1155/2015/846459.

Pinkhasov A, Xiong G, Bourgeois JA, Heinrich TW, Huang H, Coriolan S, et al. Management of SIADH-related hyponatremia due to psychotropic medications – An expert consensus from the Association of Medicine and Psychiatry. J Psychosom Res. 2021;151:110654.doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110654

Sahoo S, Grover S. Hyponatremia and psychotropics. J Geriatr Ment Health. 2016;3(2):108.doi:10.4103/2348-9995.195604

Stelmach E, Hołownia O, Słotwiński M, Gerhant A, Olajossy M. Hiponatremia in the practice of a psychiatrist. Part 1: SIADH syndrome and drug-induced hyponatremia. Curr Probl Psychiatry. 2017;18(2):120–37.doi:10.1515/cpp-2017-0011.

Bansal S, Hirolikar R, Titirmare N, Panchalwar VS. Amitriptyline induced SIADH presenting as hyponatremia. Int J Sci Res. 2023;61–2.doi: 10.36106/ijsr/8214261.

Bersani G, Pesaresi L, Orlandi V, Gherardelli S, Pancheri P. Atypical antipsychotics and polydipsia: A cause or a treatment? Hum Psychopharmacol. 2007 Mar;22(2):103–7.doi: 10.1002/hup.825

Havens TH, Innamorato G, Nemec EC. Non-antipsychotic pharmacotherapy of psychogenic polydipsia: A systematic review. J Psychosom Res. 2021;152:110674. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110674

Ahmadi L, Goldman MB. Primary polydipsia: Update. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020;34(5):101469. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101469. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101469

McNally RJ, Calamari JE, Hansen PM, Kaliher C. Behavioral treatment of psychogenic polydipsia. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1988;19(1):57–61. doi: 10.1016/0005- 7916(88)90011-0.doi: 10.1016/0005-7916(88)90011-0.