Impact of Severe Heat on Mentally Ill Individuals
Facing the Heat Wave:
When the temperature soars, people with mental illnesses - particularly those on medications - face a unique struggle. These individuals are more susceptible to heat intolerance, with psychiatric hospitalizations skyrocketing during summer months, according to healthcare experts.
During extreme heat or sweltering days, there's often an surge in psychiatric hospital admissions, as suggested by a research that suggests higher temperatures may precipitate bipolar disorder relapses leading to hospitalization, and increased sun exposure may boost the risk of manic episodes.
There are several explanations for this summertime surge in psychiatric admissions. One reason is inflammation in the body, which can impact the circadian rhythm and contribute to sleep disruptions, potentially triggering a manic or depressive episode in people with bipolar disorder, as stated by Rebecca Barbee, a psychiatric physician's assistant at Southlake Psychiatry in North Carolina.
Individuals taking medications to address various mental illnesses, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic drugs, are more likely to experience heat intolerance during summer months. These prescriptions make it harder for people to recognize dehydration, Barbee explains.
"Many people are unaware that these medications can affect their body's ability to regulate temperature," Barbee said. "It can make it harder to sweat appropriately, difficult for our body's thermostat to function properly and recognize when we're overheating."
Symptoms of heat intolerance include excessive sweating, not sweating enough, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, changes in mental status or confusion, Barbee added.
Barbee advises medication users to consult their healthcare provider about their prescription's potential impact on temperature regulation. For those at risk, Barbee encourages staying hydrated, dressing appropriately, taking breaks, utilizing fans, seeking out shade and monitoring symptoms of heat intolerance.
Caregivers and loved ones of individuals with mental health issues should ensure they have access to cooling mechanisms like fans or air conditioning and plan for regular breaks during outdoor activities, Barbee suggests.
"It's essential to check in on those most vulnerable within our community, those battling homelessness or lacking access to cooling systems," Barbee said.
Additional Insights:
- Heat Intolerance: Individuals on psychiatric medications are more likely to experience heat intolerance, leading to increased risks of overheating and heat-related illnesses[2][3].
- Medications and Dehydration: These medications can affect the ability to perceive dehydration, making it crucial for individuals to recognize cooling and hydration needs[2].
- Rise in Psychiatric Hospitalizations: High temperatures and heat waves have been linked to an increase in psychiatric hospital admissions, possibly due to physiological effects like body inflammation and circadian rhythm disruptions[2].
- Impact of Medications on Thermoregulation: Psychiatric medications can impair the body's ability to cool down through sweating and blood vessel dilation[1][5].
- Sweat Production and Evaporation: Medications like SSRIs can influence sweat production and evaporation, hampering heat dissipation and increasing the risk of dehydration or excessive heat exposure[4].
- Effects on the Hypothalamus: Medications can alter the hypothalamus's signaling, disrupting the normal heat response mechanisms[5].
- ** Patient Safety:** While these side effects increase heat sensitivity, patients are advised against stopping medications without medical guidance[4].
- A rise in psychiatric hospitalizations can occur during hot weather due to the increased risk of manic episodes and bipolar disorder relapses that higher temperatures might provoke.
- It is crucial for individuals taking medication for mental health conditions to be aware that their prescriptions can impact temperature regulation and make them more susceptible to heat intolerance symptoms.
- To maintain health and wellness, it is recommended that people on psychiatric medications take precautions during hot weather, such as staying hydrated, dressing appropriately, and seeking cool environments to help manage heat intolerance.
