PSYCOGENIC POLYDIPSIA AND SEVERE HYPONATREMIA IN BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Psychogenic polydipsia, primary polydipsia or potomania is a disorder of multifactorial etiology which is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. It occurs frequently in patients with psychiatric diseases, particularly those with schizophrenia, however, it is not exclusive, it has been reported in a lower proportion in patients with anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Although, is still poorly understood and therefore underdiagnosed condition.

It is essential to recognize this clinical entity opportunely, due to its potentially serious complications, such as symptomatic hyponatremia that can lead to coma and death if not detected and managed early. Furthermore, the importance of a correct choice of psychotropic medications should be emphasized, since most of the mood stabilizers and some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can cause and / or aggravate the hydroelectrolytic disorder, which implies an additional challenge for the specialist in establishing maintenance therapy.

There are few reports in the literature on documented psychogenic polydipsia in mood disorders, for this purpose, we present the case of a patient with bipolar affective disorder suffering from severe hyponatremia secondary to primary polydipsia.