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Drinking, Thirst and Water Intoxication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

John L. Crammer
John L. Crammer*
Affiliation:
Reader Emeritus in Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry (University of London), De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
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Abstract

Drinking is an activity determined partly by oropharyngeal stimulation and gastrointestinal sensations as well as biochemical changes, and thirst need not be involved. It is sometimes disturbed in mania or depression. Overdrinking (polydipsia) is common in long-stay in-patients, but only gives rise to water intoxication when there is a variable functional renal abnormality such as SIADH causing water retention. In contrast, in affective disorders, disturbance of sodium retention may be seen, possibly representing failure of nervous vascular control as part of the mental illness.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 159 , Issue 1 , July 1991 , pp. 83 - 89
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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