The relationship between self-induced water intoxication and severity of psychiatric symptoms

The purpose of this study was to test a theoretical framework that proposed a relationship between severe psychiatric symptoms and self-induced water intoxication (SIWI) by using reliable and valid measures. Twenty of 28 comm unity-dwelling individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) in the sample e xhibited excess fluid consumption as reflected by a mean urine specific gra vity of 1.003 mEq/L. The psychometric measures included the Positive and Ne gative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Self Deficit Syndrome Scale (SDSS), and the Spielberger State-trait Anxiety Scale (STAI Form X-1). A significant re lationship was found at p.01 between severity of psychotic symptoms and sev erity of SIWI and between severity of SIWI and psychopathology symptoms wit hin the PANSS. Anxiety was higher in those with SIWI before fluid loading c ompared with those with less excess fluid intake (i.e., USG < 1.010), and a nxiety decreased from morning to evening in those with SIWI compared with t hose who did not exhibit excess fluid intake. The findings revealed a stron g relationship between SIWI and severe psychiatric symptoms, including psyc hosis and a broad range of psychiatric symptoms. The findings provided init ial support for the proposed theory, and consideration needs to be given to the development of interventions to augment existing treatment of fluid co ntrol. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.