Successful behavioral treatment of polydipsia in a schizophrenic patient.

Behavioral treatment of a 35 year old female with chronic schizophrenia and water intoxication with seizures was conducted on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Treatment included frequent daily weights, restricted fluid intake, positive reinforcement for program compliance, and time-out from reinforcement following significant weight gain or other specified program violations. The final 6 months of the 30 month treatment program were a maintenance phase during which most contingencies were faded and all fluid restrictions were removed. There was no reported recurrence of polydipsia after 18 months of community placement.