Extreme
heat this summer is affecting people across the country – mentally as well as
physically. While heat can make anyone irritable, the impact can go beyond
that, especially for people with mental health conditions. A Baylor
College of Medicine
psychiatrist explains how heat affects mental health.
Excessive
heat causes changes in emotions and behavior that can result in feelings of
anger, irritability, aggression, discomfort, stress and fatigue. Heat alters
those behaviors because of its impact on serotonin, the primary
neurotransmitter that regulates your mood, leading to decreased levels of
happiness or joy and increased levels of stress and fatigue.
The
most vulnerable groups affected by heat and mental health include people with
preexisting conditions and people who use substances like alcohol. People who
already suffer from stress, anger or anxiety will experience increased
serotonin. If people use substances, especially alcohol, they need to be more
hydrated. Combining substance use with heat requires even more hydration.
“All
mental illnesses increase with heat because it results in more fatigue,
irritability and anxiety, and it can exacerbate depressive episodes,” said Dr. Asim
Shah,
professor and executive vice chair in the Menninger
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor.
Signs
of heat impairing mental health start with irritability, decreased motivation,
aggressive behavior and sometimes mental fogging. In worse cases, it can cause
confusion and disorientation. While avoiding the heat may not be possible, Shah
recommends hydrating with electrolytes and keeping your head covered when going
outside. In addition, pour some water on your head to cool down and try doing
things in the shade. If you normally go for walks outside, move them inside by
walking in the mall or a large space with air conditioning.
If
you take medications, consult with your provider before mixing your dose with
excessive heat. Some medications for mental health, such as lithium for bipolar
patients, might not pair well with heat. Lithium goes through the kidney, so if
you sweat more, levels of lithium fluctuate.
“If
you are out in the heat and using lithium, levels may fluctuate. In that
scenario, we have to be very careful and either adjust the dosage of lithium or
avoid heat,” he said.
Climate
changes, including droughts and extreme changes in temperature, can cause
negative effects by increasing pollutants and allergens and worsening air
quality. These worsen mental health issues like depression, anxiety or PTSD.
Some studies show that exposure to any natural climate disaster can increase
the risk of depression by more than 30%, anxiety by 70% and both by over 87%.
“Children
are a vulnerable population due to their physical and cognitive immaturity.
They are exposed to more pollutants and allergens as they spend more time
outdoors,” Shah said.