![]() Therefore, among patients diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, water intoxication can be problematic. This suggests that, in some cases, antipsychotic medication could make people feel excessively thirsty and compel them to drink amounts of water that are toxically high. Drinking an excessive amount of water has been associated with some types of antipsychotic medication, and such water intoxication has been noted among schizophrenic patients who suffer a relapse. Some authors suggest, for example, that some medication taken by people with psychosis could impair their body’s ability to process water, leading to a sodium imbalance. Įxcessive thirst, water intoxication, and psychosisĪmong patients with a prior history of psychosis, the relationship between water consumption and psychosis might be more complex, with the research showing that some people with psychosis tend to feel excessively thirsty and this leads them to drink large amounts of water to a point where water intoxication is a significant risk. The authors theorised that the patient might have suffered from psychotic symptoms because dehydration is associated with disturbances in certain substances within the bloodstream (hyponatremia or hypernatremia, which concerns sodium levels) and the authors theorised that the imbalance, in turn, affected the patient’s brain and neurological functioning. After treatment with medication and rehydration through intravenous fluid transfer, the patient was discharged after their psychotic symptoms subsided. The patient also had tachycardia, which is a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute. The patient’s symptoms included auditory hallucinations of voices, music, and singing, and the patient shouted out words suggestive of disorganised speech, both of which are possible signs of psychosis. Psychiatrists recently reported the case of a patient with no prior history of a mental illness who was severely dehydrated and arrived at a hospital emergency department with concerning symptoms. ![]() As the patient begins to understand that hallucinations are related to dysfunctional thoughts, we can help correct them.Dehydration and first episodes of psychosis That said, calling auditory hallucinations “voice-thoughts,” rather than “voices,” reduces stigma and reinforces an alternate explanation behind the delusion. When people hear voices, the brain’s speech, hearing, and memory centers interact. Persons with schizophrenia and other serious psychotic disorders often experience a wide range of auditory events. When patients ask why they hear strange voices, explain that many voices are buried inside our memory. PET scans have shown that auditory hallucinations activate brain areas that regulate hearing and speaking, 4 suggesting that people talk or think to themselves while hearing voices. Briefly explain the neurology behind the voices. Whispers and tantrums, Like bacon sizzling in your brain Finding rhythm in hallucinations Depicting voices that acting like a searchlight Ceased and dissolved in a single green pill, Creating a lonely apartment. 3 Have the patient practice these exercises at home and notice if the voices stop for longer periods.ĥ. Feast your eyes on the loner, And hear the voice of God. If the voices stop-even for 2 minutes-tell the patient that he or she has begun to control them. If unsuccessful, try reading a paragraph together forwards or backwards. Ask the patient to hum a song with you (“Happy Birthday” works well). Use in-session voices to teach coping strategies. If a patient hears command hallucinations, assess their acuity and decide whether he or she is likely to act on them before starting CBT.Ĥ. humming or singing a song several timesĪsk which methods worked previously and have patients build on that list, if possible.Your list should include the possibility that the voices are real, but only if the patient initially believes this. Patients often agree with several explanations and begin questioning their delusional interpretations. List scientifically plausible “reasons for hearing voices,” 2 including sleep deprivation, isolation, dehydration and/or starvation, extreme stress, strong thoughts or emotions, fever and illness, and drug/alcohol use.Īsk which reasons might apply. Ask: “When did the voices start? Where are they coming from? Can you bring them on or stop them? Do they tell you to do things? What happens when you ignore them?”Ģ. Engage the patient by showing interest in the voices. 1 Use the following CBT methods alone or with medication.ġ. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help patients cope with auditory hallucinations and reshape delusional beliefs to make the voices less frequent.
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