High temperatures significantly disrupt sleep, leading to negative effects on mood, anxiety, and emotional regulation. Individuals on certain psychiatric medications may have decreased heat tolerance, increasing their health risks, particularly among vulnerable populations such as those with pre-existing mental illnesses, older adults, and outdoor workers.
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Experts note that extreme heat, a major consequence of climate change, impacts mental health alongside physical health. Christopher Drescher, an associate professor at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, emphasized the link between heat and mental health: "During a heat wave, it can absolutely affect people because it affects our nervous system. We have increased activity in our autonomic nervous system when we're in extreme heat."
According to Ready.gov, prolonged heat is defined as unusually high temperatures, usually above 90 degrees, persisting for at least two to three days. As climate change leads to more frequent and intense heat events, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns that communities will face greater challenges from extreme temperatures.
Drescher pointed out that dehydration from heat exposure affects mood and well-being, while poor sleep exacerbates anxiety and emotional regulation. He explained, "One of the big ways it really affects us is problems with sleep. We sleep best when it’s cool at night. Because it's not cooling off at night, it may be very hard to sleep well."
The culmination of repeated sleepless nights and fatigue from working in heat can intensify mental health issues. Drescher noted, "A bad night of sleep might make you irritable... But if you're piling up lots of bad nights of sleep in a row, you're feeling fatigued... you can even have increased inflammation in your body, which is related to both mental and physical health."
Certain groups are particularly at risk during heat waves, including individuals with mental illnesses, older adults, children, and those taking psychiatric medications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the increased incidence of mental health crises, emergency-room visits, suicide attempts, and deaths during extreme heat events.
During heat exposure, the body prioritizes temperature regulation, which can hinder emotional stability and cognitive function. Drescher warned that this makes individuals more susceptible to mental health symptoms and crises. Warning signs of heat-related mental health impacts include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, sleep disruption, and feelings of hopelessness.
To mitigate these impacts, Drescher advises limiting strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat, staying hydrated, and applying healthy coping strategies, such as mindfulness or therapy. He urges individuals experiencing worsening mental health to connect with friends, family, or healthcare providers for support. Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network.