Beware: Heat can exacerbate mental illness

Most of us struggle when temperatures rise above 30°C, but those who are affected by mental illnesses are said to be particularly at risk on hot days. — dpa

High outdoor temperatures are not only a strain on the body, but mentally stressful as well.

So they’re particularly problematic for people with a mental health condition.

“On hot days, people are less alert and productive, mental illness symptoms worsen and admissions to psychiatric hospitals increase,” says Germany’s Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists (BPtK) president Dr Andrea Benecke.

“The mentally ill are among those at greatest risk.”

At especially high risk, according to the BPtK, are people with schizophrenia, addictive disorders, dementia or depression, or who take certain psychotropic drugs, such as neuroleptics, antidepressants, anticholinergics or sedatives.

Hot weather is also associated with elevated suicide rates and diminished cognitive performance, increasing the likelihood of impulsive, risky and aggressive behaviour.

Heat becomes dangerous for the mentally ill when the apparent temperature – a combination of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed – is over 30°C in daytime and doesn’t drop under 20°C at night, the BPtK warns.

An apparent temperature of 32°C in early afternoon results in strong heat stress, and 38°C and over in very strong heat stress.

Excessive heat can trigger a psychiatric emergency and serious physical reactions requiring immediate medical attention.

Persistently high temperatures are especially taxing on body and mind, the BPtK says, defining a heat wave as temperatures exceeding 28°C for more than three consecutive days.

Certain medications can adversely affect the body’s ability to maintain a healthy core temperature, and hot weather can alter the effects of medications, e.g. by reducing their potency or intensifying their side effects.

ALSO READ: Be aware, the heat can affect your reactions to medications

To protect themselves from the heat, the BPtK advises the mentally ill to stay in the shade, drink sufficient fluids and avoid physical exertion.

Since consumption of alcohol or drugs, and vigorous sport or exercise, increases the risk of dehydration and hyperthermia, they should be avoided on hot days, it says.

Those who don’t want to forgo the latter should seek a cool, shady place and drink plenty of water.

It’s also important that those who take medications speak with a doctor about what they need to be mindful of on hot days, and whether an altered dosage is advisable.

And they should consult a psychotherapist about where they can turn to for help in the event of a psychiatric emergency.

The aforementioned advice can be useful for the family members and social circle of mentally ill persons too, points out Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists president Eva-Maria Schweitzer-Köhn.

“It’s imperative that the mentally ill be protected from the effects of high temperatures,” she says, “since their condition often renders them insufficiently capable of protecting themselves.” – dpa