The impact of hot weather extends beyond physical health and affects our mental well-being. Studies have revealed a correlation between hotter temperatures and an increase in suicides, violent crime, emergency room visits, hospitalizations for mental problems, and overall mortality rates, as reported by the New York Times. These effects have only gained recognition in the past five years, and the underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. With the growing frequency of prolonged heat waves, further research into these connections becomes increasingly vital. Dr. Joshua Wortzel, chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s committee on the subject, acknowledges that our understanding is still in its infancy.
However, the risks associated with hot weather are not evenly distributed. Individuals with conditions such as schizophrenia, dementia, psychosis, or substance use face a heightened danger, with an estimated 5% increased risk of death for every 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit rise in temperature, according to a study. Those taking antipsychotic medications must exercise caution during high temperatures, as these drugs can impact temperature regulation. Dr. Ken Duckworth, chief medical officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness, explains that certain antipsychotics can diminish the body’s ability to control temperature. While air conditioning can mitigate these risks, individuals on specific medications may find their body temperature aligning with the outdoor ambient temperatures when exposed to heat.
Even individuals without pre-existing conditions can experience heightened irritability during hot spells. This is partly due to sleep disruptions caused by higher temperatures. Optimal sleep occurs in rooms no warmer than 68 degrees, as suggested by the Times. Warm weather leads to delayed sleep onset and earlier wake-up times, particularly impacting older individuals who are already vulnerable to sleep disturbances. Prolonged sleep deprivation exacerbates physical conditions like heart disease and diabetes, as well as cognitive and psychiatric issues, as indicated by research studies.
Dr. Asim Shah, a psychiatrist in Houston, highlights the interconnectedness of physical and mental health. He observed that nearly all of his patients had higher pulse or heart rates during a summer afternoon compared to three months prior. This increase in heart rate can contribute to heightened anxiety. Shah explains that heat induces physical changes that subsequently lead to emotional and mental alterations. Additionally, the unsettling prognosis of our climate’s increasing heat adds to people’s distress. The head of Stanford University’s program on climate change and mental health emphasizes that this might be the coolest summer we experience in our lifetime, which is quite unsettling. (Read more extreme heat stories.)
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