New Delhi: Heatwave continues to affect the northern parts of India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red’ alert for Delhi on Tuesday, June 18 due to a severe heatwave, with temperature touching 45 degrees Celsius. For over a month, there has been no sign of relief from the extreme heatwave and this has led to a rise in hospitalisation rate due to digestive issues, diarrhoea cases and heatstroke cases. However, these are not just cases that are being reported, people are also experiencing neurological problems such as fatigue, dizziness, post-traumatic disorders (PTSD), depression and stress.
Well, if you also stay cranky or irritated all the time amid the current heatwave, then it could be an impact of the heatwave on mental health. In conversation with News9, Dr Sonal and Psychiatrists at Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road said, “A heat wave is a period of abnormally hot weather where the temperature rises and typically lasts two or more days. This extremely high temperature can be fatal and lead to a range of health complications such as heavy sweating, fluctuating heartbeats, severe dehydration, worsened cardiovascular health leading to thrombogenesis (blood clots), and kidney and lung diseases.”
How do heatwaves affect mental health?
Heatwave can affect anyone right from children to adults and senior citizens. It can significantly interfere with an individual’s mental health resulting in difficulty in sleeping, disruption in daily routine activities, trouble concentrating, and being easily irritated.
According to Dr Sonal, “During a heatwave, people often prefer staying indoors rather than going outdoors, leading to reduced social interaction. This can contribute to feelings of being lonely and isolated, further triggering mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. If a heatwave starts to make you feel overwhelmed and it gets challenging to cope with the current situation, it is necessary to seek help. Consulting an expert or a therapist can help resolve all your concerns regarding mental health issues.”
Take precautions to safeguard yourself from heat waves by drinking adequate water, wetting your skin with a damp cloth to cool down your body temperature, and avoiding going out in peak heat hours.
For over a month, there has been no sign of relief from the extreme heatwave and this has led to a rise in hospitalisation rate due to digestive issues, diarrhoea cases and heatstroke cases. But can heatwave impact our mental health too? Expert answers Mental Health Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
