Divergent responses to fluoxetine from two 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 report with the association of those two disorders is described. Treatment with fluoxetine was introduced to alleviate the compulsive aspects of those disorders.


RESULTS
Fluoxetine had a positive effect on bulimia nervosa but none on compulsive water drinking.


CONCLUSIONS
The different response to pharmacologic treatment could mean that bulimia nervosa and compulsive water drinking are based on different physiological mechanisms.
Kornreich
C
C
Department of Psychiatry, Brugmann University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Dan
B
B
Verbanck
P
P
Fontaine
E
E
Pelc
I
I
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003193:Compulsive Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine