Hydrophobia as a rare presentation of Cotard's syndrome: a case report.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss a case of Cotard's syndrome in a 65-year-old male patient who refused to eat and drink.

METHOD: A single case is presented.

RESULTS

The patient was especially sensitive to water and showed panic reactions when he was offered a glass of water. These symptoms began when he deluded himself to believe that his stomach shrunk. Diagnosis was major depressive disorder with psychotic feature based on DSM-IV.

CONCLUSION

Hydrophobia as a symptom of Cotard's syndrome was not reported before. This symptom is often known as evidence of rabies but may be seen in Cotard's syndrome.