While we generally look forward to the warm, sunny months during the torturously dark and cold winters, temperatures above 90 with heat indices above 100 that arrive with deep summer wreak their own havoc on our mood and physical well-being. Heat like this can cause irritability associated with higher levels of violence, exhaustion and activity avoidance that reduces productivity, and illness as our body strains to stay regulated.
It can be especially dangerous for people taking mental health medications. Our mental health conditions are often connected to the same systems that support our temperature regulation, and the psychotropic medications can disrupt the thermoregulation process at the same time they’re improving the psychological ones. According to Deborah Serani, a Psy.D. contributor to Psychology Today, the medications can alter our set body temperature, impact our nerve receptors for temperature detection, increase or decrease sweat production and thirst, and lower blood pressure. The combination of symptoms often leads to increased heat intolerance, dizziness or fainting from heat, and heat-related declines in cognitive function like reduced alertness and confusion.
To survive the heat, it’s important to know the specific impact of your medication on your thermoregulation process, the symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and actions you can take to cope.
If searching medication impacts online, it’s important to stick to reliable and research-based sources. You can also consult directly with your prescribing physician or pharmacist for more personalized guidance based on factors like age, other health conditions, and medication interactions. Mental health medications to check on include but are not limited to:
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Antipsychotic Drugs
Benzodiazepines
Heat related illnesses generally include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Common symptoms include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, nausea, and changes in pulse. Preventative measure typically includes staying hydrated, remaining inside when possible, sticking to the shade or cooler hours for outdoor work, wearing light colors and breathable clothing, and using sunscreen. Cool rags and light, nutritious foods may also help in addition to avoiding heat-producing appliances during peak temperatures. Come on over to our social media (Scottsville Counseling Center on Facebook and @scottsvillecounselingcenter on Instagram) to share your favorite or unique tips for beating the heat! If you are looking for support in beating the stress of summer, or would like to learn more about other topics we support, please contact us at [email protected] or via phone at (270) 943-7818. You can also learn more by visiting https://www.amandapatrickmft.com/.