Am J Psychiatry 1980; 137:1055-1060
Copyright © 1980 by American Psychiatric Association
Self-induced water intoxication in schizophrenic patients
WO Smith and ML Clark
The authors report on 21 cases of self-induced water intoxication and cite
25 others in the literature. Three of their patients demonstrated at least
temporary inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, 3 were receiving a
diuretic, and the other 15 appeared to have "pure" water intoxication.
Fifteen patients were receiving a psychotropic medication. Self-induced
water intoxication appears to be more common in schizophrenic patients than
is generally realized and should be suspected in any schizophrenic patient
who develops convulsions or coma. Hyperdopaminergic CNS activity may be
involved, and the authors suggest a possible mechanism similar to that for
tardive dyskinesia.
