Psychogenic polydipsia is best described as which of the following?

Psychogenic polydipsia is best described as which of the following?

• A. An endocrine disorder causing thirst
• B. A genetic syndrome causing dehydration
• C. A mental disease characterized by habitual excessive drinking
• D. A hormonal deficiency of ADH

Answer: (C)

Psychogenic polydipsia is a psychiatric condition in which a person habitually drinks excessive amounts of water. The driving force is behavioral and mental health, not a hormonal or endocrine failure. Because of the large water intake, serum sodium can become dangerously diluted (hyponatremia), leading to confusion, seizures, or other neurologic symptoms if not monitored. It is not caused by an endocrine thirst drive, not a genetic dehydration syndrome, and not a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone. In practice, recognition hinges on the behavioral pattern of excessive fluid intake and the psychiatric context, with management focusing on fluid restriction and treatment of the underlying mental illness, along with careful electrolyte and neurologic monitoring.

Psychogenic polydipsia is a psychiatric condition in which a person habitually drinks excessive amounts of water. The driving force is behavioral and mental health, not a hormonal or endocrine failure. Because of the large water intake, serum sodium can become dangerously diluted (hyponatremia), leading to confusion, seizures, or other neurologic symptoms if not monitored. It is not caused by an endocrine thirst drive, not a genetic dehydration syndrome, and not a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone. In practice, recognition hinges on the behavioral pattern of excessive fluid intake and the psychiatric context, with management focusing on fluid restriction and treatment of the underlying mental illness, along with careful electrolyte and neurologic monitoring.