[Psychogenic polydipsia - suicide as resolution of narcissistic crisis]

A 37 year-old patient had been suffering from considerable polydipsia over a period of almost 3 years. Examination of the pituitary gland, the neural and renal system produced negative results. The psychoanalytic interview revealed a conflict that could explain the origin of the symptoms. Against the background of the biography, the symptoms could be interpreted as regressive behaviour with defense mechanisms of denial of reality and idealization. A personal misfortune provoked a psychological breakdown of the patient's defense mechanisms and he committed suicide. The background for these correlations was found in the theory of narcissism.