DIVERGENT RESPONSES TO FLUOXETINE FROM 2 COMPULSIVE, FOOD-RELATED CONDITIONS - BULIMIA-NERVOSA AND COMPULSIVE WATER DRINKING

Background: The association of compulsive water drinking with bulimia nervosa is rarely encountered. Nevertheless similar behavior patterns could involve a common pathophysiological mechanism. Methods: A case r eport with the association of those two disorders is described Treatme nt with fluoxetine was introduced to alleviate the compulsive aspects of those disorders, Results: Fluoxetine had a positive effect on bulim ia nervosa but none on compulsive water drinking. Conclusions: The dif ferent response to pharmacologic treatment could mean that bulimia ner vosa and compulsive water drinking are based on different physiologica l mechanisms. (C) 1998 Society of Biological Psychiatry.