[davidpyle]

Can heat affect depressive tendencies?
I feel like I get more depressed when it is really hot, and lately it has been very hot and humid, fortunately I work in a cold place, so my anger levels stay down.
I've been diagnosed with chronic depression, but sometimes I wonder if the exteme temps affect it, or if its just my imagenation.

[anjelmarie]

Originally Posted by davidpyle

Can heat affect depressive tendencies?
I feel like I get more depressed when it is really hot, and lately it has been very hot and humid, fortunately I work in a cold place, so my anger levels stay down.
I've been diagnosed with chronic depression, but sometimes I wonder if the exteme temps affect it, or if its just my imagenation.

My depression has worsened with the hot humid weather. Plus I'm weak and nauseas and just miserable so i'd say yes the extreme temps affect it. Can't wait for fall!

[maureenjs]

i would agree that it can be effected by the weather. i had to move to FL to escape the harsh winters that were killin me. now i m in the heat and humidity and actually hiding out in my house with the AC turned down low as i just started menopause- cant wait ti see how THAT effects my mental health. i love going to the grocery tho- its freezing in there!

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello david,

It isn't your imagination, depression is affected by the weather "thermal Stress" is worse at high pressure times.

At high pressure times people often get migranes, headaches, swelling of hands and feet and general discomfort as the body draws in and holds onto moisture/fluid. One of the best ways to combat this is to drink/sip water not sugary drinks and allow the body to perspire.

Allowing the body to regulate its temperature naturally may not always work, so aircon and evaporative coolers are usually used; though evaporative coolers are much less effective than aircon or a natural cool breeze and can cause an uncomfortable humidity.

There is a depression named Seasonal Affective Disorder, that is where the depression changes with each season.

I know that when I am over heated I am not a happy camper; I feel stifled and I feel claustrophobic I couldn't live in Australia without aircon...Even in winter Tasmania has good weather and there are days we need the aircon on for a while or I can get agitated and anxious

[SophiaG]

Heat = you more stressed and as you already probably know, stress causes depression to worsen.

You're not making it up! Theoretically anything that stresses you out could worsen your mental health.

I agree with above posters, the heat makes me more depressed, as well as irritable. Waiting for fall weather to arrive!

[Elana05]

Yeah. On really hot days, when I can, I have been hiding out in my apartment with the shades drawn and the a/c on. I don't need it to be cold, just cool enough. Oddly, one reason for added anxiety for me has been worrying about the animals outside (whether they'll get enough water) and about global warming. I tend to worry about things I can't do anything about.

[turquoisesea]

Just adding another yes to the list.
Today was really hot, and I even felt a bit nauseaus, and just bleh. Weather definitely makes a difference.

*tries to send some cooler weather your way*

[Onward2wards]

I had to do a lot of errands and doc visits in the heat today ... got home in a horrible, horrible mood, far lower than yesterday. I'd say extremes of hot and cold definitely have a major effect on our moods.

[lorna]

I find the severe heat affects me directly cause i can't move a ll that good, and remain in the home, with the blinds down, basically alone.