Understanding and managing the mental health impacts of extreme heat. – Psychology Today

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Posted May 7, 2025 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer Ph.D.
It’s no secret that things have been heating up around the world over the past several decades. Rising temperatures — especially accompanying extreme heat events — are taking a toll on our physical and mental health.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports that 2024 was the hottest year on record to date. While most people look forward to the lazy, hazy days of summer, its hottest days pose numerous challenges to our mental health and physical well-being.
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes an increase in heat-related mortality and injuries during episodes of extreme heat. Seniors, individuals who work outdoors, including law enforcement personnel, first responders, construction workers, athletes, agricultural workers, and economically disadvantaged populations who lack access to air-conditioned housing, are especially vulnerable to the physical impacts of extreme heat. Matt Strehlow, a professor of emergency medicine and faculty fellow at the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, in a 2023 issue of the Stanford Report, states that “Heat is cumulative,” and that heatwaves are responsible for many illnesses and deaths. During extreme heat, when the body’s core temperature rises, it is not physically equipped to cool down. When this happens, people with pre-existing chronic illnesses, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and other conditions experience a rise in symptoms.
Even for people in good health, the physical impacts of extreme heat are serious, and include dehydration, ranging from mild heat cramps and heat exhaustion to more serious and life-threatening heat stroke. Heat stroke is accompanied by troubling symptoms, including vomiting, headache, and a racing heart. Extreme heat also negatively impacts the efficacy of many medications, including insulin and many heart medications.
While the physical impacts of extreme heat are better known, most people are less aware of the impacts of high temperatures on our moods, behaviors, and overall mental health.
While most people are more social during the warm days and nights of summer, and the resulting higher levels of social engagement are associated with positive mental health outcomes, extreme heat events are increasingly acknowledged as having many troubling impacts on our mental health.
With awareness of extreme heat events on the rise, researchers are studying the profound effects on our mental health and well-being. According to the American Psychiatric Association, impacts include increases in symptoms of depression, increases in both attempted and completed suicides, increases in aggression, crime, and violent behavior, including domestic violence, and increases in substance abuse. Extreme heat also negatively impacts our ability to sleep, and cognitive performance, including the ability to concentrate, perform tasks, and memory.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America cautions that increases in irritability, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and a worsening of symptoms for those suffering from existing mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depressive and anxiety disorders, occur during periods of extreme heat. Experts have also identified climate anxiety as an emerging mental health concern.
A number of psychotropic medications, including medications used to treat many serious mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and mood disorders, interfere with the body’s ability to regulate and negatively impact the body’s ability to detect and regulate a rise in internal temperature. Resulting symptoms may include clammy skin, heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, confusion, fainting, or a loss of consciousness.
All symptoms have a purpose. As such, during periods of extreme heat, it is important that we know the impacts of extreme heat, learn to recognize the signs of heat-related symptoms, and seek relief when they arise.
Even those of us who love the heat and sun need to watch for the impacts and symptoms of over-exposure to extreme heat and take proactive measures to stay cool, safe, and healthy during episodes of extreme heat.
Build your awareness of the physical, cognitive, and behavioral impacts of extreme heat. Awareness is always the first defense in recognizing and addressing symptoms when they arise.
Set an intention to take care of yourself and remain on the lookout for symptoms of extreme heat in others.
Be prepared when extreme heat is in the forecast. Stay hydrated. Avoid exercising outdoors when temperatures are at their highest of the day. Plan indoor work and social activities. Choose light, healthy foods, like salads and fruits, over heavy, carbohydrate-rich meals.
Adjust your expectations. Just as extreme winter weather presses pause on work and social routines, we may need to adjust our work and social schedules during days of extreme heat.
Make a concerted effort to stay cool when the mercury rises. Try loose, light-colored clothing and air-conditioned spaces.
Consult your doctor if you are concerned about the possible impacts of extreme heat on your medications. Medical and mental health professionals can provide you with strategies to help you cope with extreme heat while on medication.
Monica Vermani, C. Psych., is a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of trauma, stress, mood and anxiety disorders, and the author of A Deeper Wellness.
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The brightest way to shine is by being fully, imperfectly yourself.
Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.