Extreme heat taking toll on mental health - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The extreme weather is taking a toll far greater than our electric bills, dying lawns, and closed beaches. It is beginning to effect mental health.

Mental health professionals say feeling sad or depressed should not be taken lightly.

People told us they're feeling angry, agitated, trapped and struggling to sleep. Those are all symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. While it's more typical in the middle of winter, now patients are reporting the same symptoms during the heat wave.

Our lakes are draining, trees are dying, lawns are lost and something as simple as walking is work. Now it seems as if the punishing drought and heat is messing with our minds.

"It's absolutely real," said Kimble Richardson, a mental health counselor at the St. Vincent Stress Center.

"This is a real disorder and we really want to pay attention to it because the consequences could be devastating," he said.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is normally associated with a severe winter. Now people are feeling trapped by the extreme heat.

"It's like being snowed in the winter. You can't be outside for any period of time. It drives you crazy," said Laura Samide, parent.

From the looks of things, a lot of people feel the same way. On a typical day, the parks are packed. The playground is crawling with children and parents chasing to keep up with them.

When people can't do their normal activities, they may start experiencing symptoms of SAD.

"I'm actually waking up sometimes in the middle of the night," said Carol White.

Loss of sleep is one symptom, as is irritability. Dying lawns and gardens can be more than depressing.

"I've spend a lot of money on flowers. They are all dying. It irritates me," said Daphine Hittle, office worker.

That's not the worst of it. In the most severe cases Richardson says SAD can cause serious depression, the inability to work and even suicidal thoughts.

"The biggest mistake is just to say it's going to go away and to ignore it," said Richardson.

A summer shower or cooler weather might not help someone suddenly feel better.

The good news is there are some easy ways to avoid feeling the effects of SAD.

• First, you are not alone. Others feel the same way. Talk about it.
• Find a cool place. Avoid the extreme heat.
• Stay busy. Find activities to replace ones you can't do now.
• Read a book, play games with the children; clean out the kitchen junk drawer. Get that feeling of accomplishment.
• If you don't start feeling better, see your doctor.

The Mayo Clinic

WebMD

National Alliance on Mental Illness