Prevalence of Polydipsia among Public Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Among 2201 public psychiatric patients evaluated for polydipsia (excessive ingestion of nonalcoholic beverages) there was a prevalence rate of 6.2%. Their mean age was 50.9 yr., being substantially younger than the comparable population of state patients, but predominantly chronic. Diagnoses were 73% schizophrenia, but mental retardation and alcoholism were also over-represented. Patients were predominantly white and almost 60% women. Almost one-quarter of the polydipsic patients met the diagnostic criteria for one or more instances of water intoxication.