Altered state of consciousness in a compulsive water drinker
British Journal of Psychiatry 1989 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.154.4.556 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 16-year-old Chinese woman with compulsive water drinking |
| Interventions | Fluid restriction education |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Key findings | Compulsive water drinking was maintained by an enjoyable altered state of consciousness, and treatment with fluid restriction and education was successful. |
Abstract
A relatively normal 16-year-old Chinese woman with a six-month history of compulsive water drinking resulting in a comatose state is reported. The drinking was perpetuated by an enjoyable altered state of consciousness after ingestion of an average of 20 litres of water per day. Treatment by fluid restriction and, later, simple education was successful. The subjective dimension of an altered state of consciousness may provide an important explanation for the obscure aetiology.