Psychotic disorders and water

[ThatLady]

While polydipsia is certainly something to be concerned about, it isn't very common in healthy persons, as the article you've posted says. In people who are worried about dehydration, for the most part, the renal system will take care of excess fluids, if your renal system is healthy. The medical conditions that can cause polydipsia are mentioned in the article, as well.

Psychogenic polydipsia is really very uncommon. It's good to know, though, that there is an effective treatment.

 

[HA]

Thanks ThatLady!

It would be interesting to know how often psychogenic polydipsia does occur. It's also good to know that the body kicks in and takes care of excess as you described.

Cheers

 

[ThatLady]

I don't know the exact percentages, HeartArt. I do know it can occur in hospitalized psychiatric patients; particularly, those who suffer from schizophrenia. The reasons are not known at this time.

During these very hot days, it's critically important that healthy people drink a lot of water! Don't worry about too much water unless you have been diagnosed with a condition that might cause polydipsia, or are on a medication for which you have been warned that polydipsia might be a problem.

 

[^^Phoenix^^]

I go through phases with my enjoyment of water. Some months, I'll enjoy nothing more than an ice cold water to glug back, drinkin a couple of pints, one after the other. Then some months, the idea of water seems so boring and dull that I'll actually dislike it! Water is the only thing that I fluctuate this widely about.

I don't know about its link to psychosis, but I aggree with NSA (what you said a while back about the similie to car petrol?) If we're 80% water, lack of water has just got to be bad - (duh, major understatement robin!)

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I don't know... I find drinking water is a very different experience from drinking gasoline (aka petrol)...

But I do agree with you... I never seem to get tired of a couple of pints...

 

[Halo]

Okay so now that we are still on the topic of water I am going to ask a serious question. I drink excessively.....anything and everything that I can get my hands on. Many people have commented on the amount of fluid that I drink in a day from coffee, tea, water, juice, pop, flavoured water (which is my new addiction ) and sometimes I even have up to 3 different drinks going on my desk at the same time. It is like I can never get enough to drink and that I am always thirst. I don't know if it is a habit that I always have to have something to drink in my hands or if I am really thirsty. I can just finish a bottle of water and I am opening another one. Another thing that surprises people and myself actually is that I can drink so much during the day however I do not use the bathroom more than three times from morning when I wake up until night when I go to bed. Okay, that was probably more information than anyone needed to know :red: but I am very curious as to where all this liquid in me is going and can there be a medical reason to need so much fluid?

Thanks

 

[ThatLady]

It could be habitual, or it could be indicative of a problem somewhere. The only way to know for sure is to have some blood tests done to ensure that all your electrolytes are in balance, and that your blood sugar is within normal ranges. If everything checks out okay, you probably just have a bladder the size of Montana.

 

[Halo]

I do know that my sugar levels become out of whack very easy. If I dont eat enough or often enough than I have been known to have the shakes (quite often) and I have even passed out a couple times.

And yes I have always had a bladder the size of Montana Lucky for me on road trips

Thanks TL for your post.

 

[ThatLady]

You're welcome! I happen to have one of "those" bladders, as well. They're convenient, eh?

 

[Halo]

Glad to hear that there is someone else like me Convenient....definitely..especially with those plane bathrooms so small

 

[ThatLady]

Yep. I've lived all over the world. I used to tell people my home was a 747. I flew everywhere. I've rarely even been IN an airplane bathroom! If the plane is in the air for 12 hours, so be it. Let there be flooding in Montana, but I ain't goin' in that bathroom!

 

[Halo]

I attempted the airplane bathroom only once when I was sick coming back from a trip and it was not pleasant...TG for the large bladder....it does come in handy sometimes

 

[Into The Light]

nancy i seem to have this vague idea that excessive thirst may be related to diabetes - i could be wrong but it would be worth looking into. any thoughts on that?

 

[ThatLady]

Excessive thirst CAN be a sign of diabetes, but isn't necessarily so. It is, however, important to let the doctor check you out to be sure all is in good working order.

 

[Halo]

I have spoken to my doctor before about my sugar levels and diabetes (especially since it is so apparent on my fathers side) but he didn't seem concerned. I know that that was a few years ago and I probably should have it tested. I have neve actually been tested but we just talked about healthy eating and making sure I eat. To come to think of it I have never really mentioned my excessive thirst and drinking before.......maybe it is time to go to see him again?

 

[ThatLady]

Yep, it sure is! If diabetes runs in your family and you're experiencing what might be excessive thirst, it's definitely time to mention it to your doctor.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Probably. Of course, it might also be a side-effect of SSRIs... but it's wise to get these things checked out from time to time. I just went last week to "drain a vein" for my "annual tests" because it turns out I lost the last requisition my doctor gave me and it had been almost 3 years since my last "annual tests". mg:

 

[Halo]

I know that I should go but to be honest I think that I would rather have a root canal than have to face an annual. The last time I had one (2 years ago) he mentioned that it had been like 10 years since my last one. I told him that I am on the 10 year plan and when I was done I said that I would see him in 2014

I know I am just kidding. I should probably go but I really dislike it. I guess I will have to venture up the nerve to do it though......courage, courage, courage.

P.S - The excessive thirst and drinking is not something that is new. I have been like this for as long as I can remember. Now if it were something new than I probably would be to the doctor sooner rather than later

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[ThatLady]

I can't imagine anybody who LIKES going to the doctor and being poked and prodded and tested and tried. Yet, we gotta do it. Since you've always been one to drink a lot of fluids, it's probably nothing. However, the genetic predisposition for diabetes is in your family, so it requires close watching. It's in my family, as well; albeit, back a couple of generations, but I do keep a close eye on it through yearly physicals.

 

[Modus.Ponens]

Hello again

My question was about a long term semi-dehydration. I've always drinked few water... I do however have the psychological factors for psychosis, although I think that this time I am finaly getting out of this (not because of water though lol). I guess I would change the question a litle bit and ask if it can help the psychosis process or not?

Best wishes