- Heatwave may have an “adverse effect” on your “cognitive functioning”, warns leading mental health expert
- Priory consultant psychiatrist advises people to exercise self-care in the hot weather
- Anyone with an underlying mental health condition may experience difficulties even more acutely, says Dr Adarsh Dharendra
A leading consultant psychiatrist at Priory has revealed exactly what happens to our brains in extreme hot weather, and what we can do to exercise good self-care in the heat – with temperatures set to hit a high of 33°C in the UK this weekend.
“While pleasantly warm weathers have been known to help cognitive functioning, heatwaves and very high temperatures can have an adverse effect, with poor concentration and limited attention spans being a common symptom.” said Dr Adarsh Dharendra, a Priory consultant psychiatrist based at Life Works and Priory Hospital Woking.
He spoke out following Met Office heatwave warnings issued this week with many parts of the UK set to experience temperatures exceeding the heatwave threshold of three consecutive days of temperatures reaching 25°C to 28°C.
By the weekend many areas, particularly in the south, are expected to see temperatures rise to a high of 33°C.
“Levels of cortisol - the stress hormone - tend to increase when it’s hot. People experience increased irritability, mood swings and find themselves unable to control their emotions.”
Dr Dharendra explained: “Levels of cortisol - the stress hormone - tend to increase when it’s hot. People experience increased irritability, mood swings and find themselves unable to control their emotions.”
“You may notice an increase in simple temper tantrums among the young and old, or witness higher incidences of road rage. Physical aggression and major altercations are more common. Typically, alcohol intake increases during the hot weather, especially during people’s holidays, which can play a role as a trigger.”
Studies show that high temperatures, especially 32°c or above, can slow down our mental processing and can lead to more mistakes, forgetfulness – or even feeling of having a mental fog. This is particularly the case during heatwaves and if you are moderately to severely dehydrated.
“Even physical symptoms like headaches and body pain are common with dehydration across all age groups,” said Dr Dharendra.
People with underlying mental health conditions may experience these difficulties even more acutely, while neurodiverse people are also more likely to be affected. Around one in four people with type 1 bipolar report seasonal variations in mood symptoms, with a spike often seen in summer months.
“Sleeplessness, or erratic sleep due to the hot weather can spill over into irritability, mood swings and restlessness the following day - especially those with underlying mental health conditions who are particularly vulnerable to heightened anxiety and even panic attacks,” said Dr Dharendra, who supports mental health and addiction patients at Priory. “Irritability, mood swings and heightened negative emotion are common.
“Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia also tend to worsen in very hot weather, and dehydration can worsen cognitive impairment in someone with dementia. Social isolation is also a big problem for older people, especially when rest of family are on holiday in summer months.”
Moderate warm weather in spring and summer, however, does provide widespread benefits to our mental health.
Dr Dharendra said: “There are definite benefits to the warmer weather too. As well as boosting our vitamin D levels, it also promotes social interaction and encourages us to get outside – all of which helps to improve our moods and reduce anxiety.”
ENDS
About Priory and MEDIAN Group
Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services. Priory treats more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites. Priory also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.
Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, the leading European provider of high-quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises: Priory in the UK with 280 facilities and 5,000 beds caring for 26,000 people, MEDIAN in Germany with 120 facilities and 18,000 beds caring for 273,000 patients, and Hestia in Spain with 10 facilities and 2,000 beds caring for 10,000 people in Spain, with more than 30,000 employees across the group.