Behavioral intervention to reduce water intake in the syndrome of psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia.
We describe a non-intensive behavioral intervention using an A-B design with extended follow-up on an open psychiatric unit to reduce water intake in a 52-year-old man with the syndrome of psychosis, intermittent hyponatremia, and polydipsia. A reinforcement schedule contingent upon weight gain secondary to water intake was employed. Mean diurnal weight gain was 7.1 pounds during a 23-week baseline which dropped to 4.1 pounds following 23 weeks of treatment and at a 1-year follow-up. Estimated fluid consumption dropped from 10 liters to 4 liters daily and incidents of hyponatremia decreased by 62%.
Pavalonis
D
D
Western State Hospital, Staunton, VA 24401.
Shutty
M
M
Hundley
P
P
Leadbetter
R
R
Vieweg
V
V
Downs
M
M
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004326:Drinking; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014869:Water Intoxication / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*