How Does The Heat Affect Your Mental Health?
August 10, 2007 by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
It has been almost unbearably hot – and humid – here in southern West Virginia. The news tells me it’s like this all over the nation. Many people of all ages are passing out, experiencing heat strokes, and even dying due to the temperature.
During the weather update on the news just now I wondered, What kind of mental effects does heat have on people?
So, I headed to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and wouldn’t you know: Heat and Mental Illness was the top story.
In short, NAMI warns that those of us on medications such as anti-psychotics and anti-cholinergics are especially at risk for heat strokes because these mental health medications make it difficult for our bodies to regulate body temperature, and offers a variety of tips for mental health patients to stay cool during the dog days of August.
The Alliance does not, however, address whether or not people with mental illnesses are affected by extreme heat in ways that aren’t related to prescription medications.
So, I’m wondering: If you are a person with a mental illness, does the heat affect you in ways not related to heat strokes? Do your moods change? Do you tend to stay outdoors or indoors more during hot days for reasons related to your mental health? Your moods?
I’ve been taking Risperdol during the latest heat wave, I don’t know if it’s just a coincidence or not, but I have lost my desire to sleep, even though I’m tired. Maybe because it’s not as hot during the night, and I can sleep through the heat during the day.
Have also found myself getting into arguments with the girlfriend much more than usual. I’ve been more irritable and more of a jerk. But that might just be a result of less sleep.
Hard to judge this sort of thing.