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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Excessive Thirst While Suffering From Schizophrenia?

Hey. My aunt is schizophrenic and we are concerned about her. She takes pills for depression and im sure that makes u a ton worse. But our concern now is that she is SUPER thirsty. We got home and she had drank all of our water and now shes pacing around and going to the kitchen sink for more. Its like shes an addict looking for a fix. we are doing our best to stop her so she doesn’t die from over dehydration or something like that. Is this common in schizophrenia? What should we do?
Wed, 20 Dec 2017
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello

I read your statement and i understand your concern about your aunt condition

Increased water intake during Schizophrenia (Psychogenic polydipsia) is common among the patients suffering from this disease

The cause in not know as we refer to it as psychogenic polydipsia.

The results of this behavior, sometimes, are very devastating. If water in body becomes too much so that kidney cant excrete anymore, then Sodium is diluted (Relative Hyponatremia), causing Heart arrest and seizures and may lead to death

Take your aunt to Psychological for sessions of Cognitive Behavirol Therapy and try to console her not to drink that much water.

Thanks

Dr Nasir Ali
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What Causes Excessive Thirst While Suffering From Schizophrenia?

Hello I read your statement and i understand your concern about your aunt condition Increased water intake during Schizophrenia (Psychogenic polydipsia) is common among the patients suffering from this disease The cause in not know as we refer to it as psychogenic polydipsia. The results of this behavior, sometimes, are very devastating. If water in body becomes too much so that kidney cant excrete anymore, then Sodium is diluted (Relative Hyponatremia), causing Heart arrest and seizures and may lead to death Take your aunt to Psychological for sessions of Cognitive Behavirol Therapy and try to console her not to drink that much water. Thanks Dr Nasir Ali