When it gets hot your temperature may not be the only thing that goes up. It has been noted by many anxiety sufferers that when it gets hot their anxiety symptoms spike.
Just the other day I was at an amusement park with my family and the temp outside was 93 degrees (about 34 degrees Celsius) and my anxiety symptoms began to emerge almost immediately after we entered the park. I felt dizzy, my heart rate was up, I was tired, weak and extremely anxious.
It was hard to cope because no matter where I moved to I could do nothing to escape the heat. I was doing what anyone, especially a person with anxiety disorder, should do when in blazing hot weather. I was staying hydrated, remained in the shade whenever possible and did not exert myself too much. Nonetheless, I was miserable and felt like the only good thing about the trip would be when we started toward the exit.
Of course I did not want to ruin the fun for everyone so I stuck it out for about three hours. I had zero fun but I also understood that I was in no medical danger. That is a huge complaint I (and everyone else) have about my anxiety, when it starts up it almost always makes me feel as if something medically significant, and of course negative, is about to happen.
I have to calm myself down and allow my rationale mind as much room as possible to remind myself that I am in no danger and that it is only anxiety playing tricks with my brain. As always I manage to gain control and continue whatever it is I have to do – but on this particular trip it was very difficult.
This is of course because like always anxiety mimics symptoms related to other serious conditions. In the heat it can mimic symptoms of heat stroke and exhaustion which can be dangerous if ignored. Here is a link to an article about anxiety, heat and how to deal with it.
But I want you to note that if you have difficulty with the heat try to avoid it or at least limit your time in it. And when your in the heat and feeling bad just remember that as long as you wear a hat, sunglasses, sun screen, stay hydrated and avoid high levels of physical exertion you will be o.k. It can make you feel like your going mad, but it’s only the hot weather getting under your skin.
Do you have any advice of something like this happening to me in a pervasive way throughout the whole summer? In other words, yes, I feel the same way (like I’m going to die) when I’m really exposed to heat, but I feel irritated and depressed the entire summer. It’s a pattern I’ve noticed the last several years, and I’m ready to face it and not let it happen this summer!!!!!!!!!! What can I do?
Hi Natalie, Let me recommend the following.
1. Although difficult sometimes, try to not go out during the mid-day (11am-1pm).
2. Always take water with you.
3. Wear a hat of some kind.
4. Wear light colored, light weight clothes.
5. Protect your eyes with sunglasses. Throw in some sun block to prevent skin burn.
6. Try not to do strenuous activity when it’s above 80 degrees.
These things are all important because you have to feel comfortable to be comfortable.
Secondly, you’re right about “being ready”. Getting your thought process prepared for the irritation and discomfort of heat is important. If you prepare for it mentally it won’t seem like such a struggle when it happens.
And most important, as long as you’re hydrated and not exerting yourself in the heat understand and accept that you will be o.k.
It is hard, trust me I know, but take it one day at a time. Not in seasonal chunks.
Have a great summer!
Funny enough, I think I actually feel worse in the winter. Think the miserable weather has something to do with that though. Having said that, I think when lots of people are about on a really hot day it can trigger those feelings – particualry about health.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANXIETY IN THE HEAT.ITS BEEN ABOUT 7 YEARS NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS AND IM TIRED OF IT.I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND ITS ALMOST PUSHING BACK INTO DRINKING THAT I HAVE NOT DONE FOR 22 MONTHS AND I FEEL LIKE LOCKING MYSELF IN THE HOUSE ALL SUMMER LONG ANY FEED BACK WOULD BE GREAT
Hey Shawn, first and foremost don’t lose hope. Luckily even though anxiety sufferers think their dying in the heat, truth is that 99.9 % of the time we are not.
Second, please don’t rely on any substance, especially alcohol to help calm you.
Legal meds are cool if you’ve talked to a doctor, but ultimately we have to accept that anxiety lies a lot and makes us believe things about our health that are just false.
Being anxious in the heat can be a miserable experience, but don’t let that fool you.
Take a look at the list I outlined above and remember to not project your anxiety onto external things, like the heat. We have to find comfort within ourselves and not let anxiety impress us so much.
Paul, thank you so much for the good advice, especially the part about not taking on a whole season at once, but day by day is better. I have also been carrying ice packs with me (like the kind you buy at the drug store for icing injuries). I take it with me to the car if I know it’s going to be hot, or any time when I’m hot. The cold feeling is almost like a positive shock for my brain & breaks up the anxious feelings a little bit, too.
Shawn, good luck. Have you tried herbal supplements for anxiety? GABA is pretty good & 5HTP. Also inositol and NAC help me. (NAC is for OCD & also other stuff, but it helps me.)
NO I NEVER HAVE TRIED SUPPLEMENTS BUT MY DOCTOR DOES HAVE ME ON MEDS TO HELP MY ANXIETY WHICH DOES HELP BUT WE JUST CANT FIGURE OUT WHY I CANT DEAL WITH THE HEAT
I guess the heat does funny things to us. It can make us feel extra tired and dizzy and stuff. This can often make me think that there is something else wrong with me…usually in my heart. That’s my major preoccupation anyway. The suppliments is a good idea though. Have tried a few that really work. That rescue remedy is good. As are kalms. Madnesium citrate is okay but you have to be careful not to take too much!
I love you!!! I did a search to see if anyone else got worse anxiety in hot weather and came across this site. I honestly thought I was going crazier. Its a nightmare. Dealing with anxiety in normal weather is bad enough without the constant feeling of being on the verge of an attack in the summer months. I have tried to keep as cool as possible today and I have felt alittle better. Thank you for posting this.
I was just doing some research online about the heat and anxiety. I have the same problem. When it gets 90 degrees and hotter I don’t go outside, I stay home because they heat really makes my anxiety worse. I thought I was alone on this. I have had anxiety disorder for 6 years now and it is very difficult to deal with especially in the summer. I don’t have ac in my car, one day I had to go get some groceries and it was pushing 100 degrees. The store is only about a 5 minute drive but it felt like a couple of hours. I felt so much better when I got inside the store but I had red hot splotches on my skin and was really shaky. After awhile I calmed down but started feeling anxious again at the thought of having to get back in the heat. On the ride home I grabbed a box of frozen strudels from the back seat and put them up to my face. It calmed me down long enough to make it home. Afterward I had a slight headache and just drained of energy. Now I only run errands early in the morning or after the sun goes down.
Good to see that I’m not alone. As a 55 year old male I feel disabled. I get anxiety and fatigue when exposed to stress, i.e. heat, hunger, exertion, ect.
I don’t think that it’s just low blood sugar.
Paul gives good advice, but what is the cause? I’m researching “adrenal fatigue”. There are 600 hormones in the body and 50 of them come from the adrenals. The adrenals regulate hydration. Also, with a cool 15 min. shower you absorb 8 oz. of water. This is probably more effective than drinking water, although, you need to drink water and electrolytes also. Avoid a cold shower, as this will put you in shock, but as Natalie says a cold pack is effective.
Wow,knowledge is power and you have all impowered me to understand 10 years of mystery diagnosis! No doctor has been able to diagnose me but all the above has given me hope that I am not going crazy. This condition exists and the triggers from heat, alcohol and bloodsugar all play a part. Thank you all for posting you comments. BTW I found a supplement called Holy Basil as a wonderful anxiety reief and helpful to my sleep too!
Hi, this comment is more directed to shawn. I have the exact same problem with the heat. to the point where i collapsed at work and dr’s and emergency dr’s kept telling me it was just anxiety and it will pass, stay hydrated.
4 years later, there is a cause, the year before i started collapsing in the heat. (anything about 17 celsuis) my liver was totally overloaded. The dr put me on meds for the anxiety and that made things even worse. at first it did seem like they were taking care of the anxiety. Turns out anxiety is a symptom that something is very wrong with your digestive and abdomen area.
Please see your dr about blood sugar levels. see what happens within 6 hours of eating things what would raise blood sugar. In the eat blood sugar drops faster. Which is why people with diabetic problems have to be really careful with exercise and heat. I have reactive hypoglycemia which is pretty much pre diabetic. Seriously consider a naturopath if the dr says he can’t find anything. Just a side note, everyone always told me to stay hydrated.. so i drank lots of gator ade. turns out if you have a diabetic type cause or blood sugar related this will temporary fix you but in the end do more damage to your body.
best of health.
I have tried meds and they do not work. I just don’t leave the house during spring and summer. My ideal day is dark, cold (between 32-60 degrees) and plenty of rain or snow. I still cannot handle crowded places, but at least I leave the house. It is so difficult to find people who enjoy that kind of weather. Everyone seems obsessed with spring and summer.
Paul, I just wanted to tell you that last summer was so much better due to your suggestions. I stayed out of the heat as much as possible, and when I went in the heat I took PLENTY OF WATER and even sometimes an ice pack or two!!
But I wanted to share that I found out I have severe adrenal fatigue. In the books I have read, one of the symptoms was sensitivity to heat! So just a heads up if anyone is thinking about looking into getting tested for adrenal fatigue that has noticed this in themselves. And as I’m healing, I notice that my anxiety is directly related to how bad or good my adrenals are doing.
I have been suffering from Anxiety/Panic attacks for quite some time now. Where I live the weather is verry hot during the summer months and very wet in winter (although we never get snow!).
What I have noticed during these years is that what affects me most are the change of seasons.I do not think I am affected much by the heat but I am very much affected by long periods of rain and bad weather.But when the seasons starts to change…..watch out!
i also notice that comfort is important. when i am out with clients and the heat starts to rise, every little thing begins to annoy me. if my shoes are uncomfortable, my necklace too heavy, someones perfume. just something to be aware of. also watch your food intake. sometimes not eating properly can also drag you down and make things worse.
I’ve had 3 full blown panic attacks in my life and all 3 (including this year) was all in the summer,so my question is could this be a seasonal issue/heat or a coincidence (it happens like every 9 years) i know it sounds strange. they seem to end near fall or in the fall
(cont)….I do have anxiety issues,but like i said the panic attacks seem to happen every 9 years with 2 of the 3 happening at night
I saw this for the first time tonight and impressed to say the least. I have extremely high anxiety in the heat and even when the sun directly hits me it gets worse. It really is scary, but I don’t like to stay cooped up at home either. I feel trapped. I have a 5 year old daughter who loves to be outside in the summer–to swim and to just play. I have a difficult time. I am now on Lexapro, Clonazepam, and Risperdal. Yes, being on these meds scares me some because of the high side effects but for the most part they seem to help. I just hope I can someday be without them?! It is almost winter time here in Nebraska and the days are getting shorter now that the time has changed. Hope to have a good fall/winter or at least better than summer was, that’s for sure.
Kim, if the shorter days effect you, you may want to try a seasonal affective disorder lamp and force yourself to go outside for a walk 30 minutes a day. Keep a daily journal of how to feel.
Thank you SO much for writing this! I thought I was alone and now I can show this to my family who has a very hard time understanding why I feel anxious when it’s so hot. Unfortunately, this summer has been horrible for anybody who gets anxious just from the heat. At least I know I’m not the only one. Thank you again for posting this article. Very helpful.
Hi, I decided to do a search about heat and anxiety. I am a person who suffers from anxiety disorder. Two years ago, I suffered a stroke in mid July. After months of rehab, I was on the road to recovery when suddenly I was feeling anxious. These feelings were similar to what I had when I had my stroke: numbness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat. I felt like I was going to have a stroke again. Two times I went to the ER, but the ER doctor only gave some anti-anxiety medication. My regular doctor prescribed me Xanax (another anti-anxiety medication). While the doctors give me medication for my anxiety, they don’t help me cope with my condition. I have learned to not over exert myself when I feel tired or stressed. I learned to hydrate myself when it gets very hot. After reading the previous comments, I can relate to most of the people who suffered from anxiety/panic attacks. My advice to to all of you is to know your limits. Weather (hot or cold), environment and fatigue are some of the things I caused my anxiety in the past. If you need to take something for anxiety, take a herbal supplement like St. John’s Wort. It happens to be a warm day where I live and I chose to stay inside until it cools down. Take care and God bless.
I have had this anxiety for 55 years. It starts when Spring is
here. Summer’s are miserable for me but i stay in where it is
dark and cool.
When it is muggy i almost feel like i am crazy. It brings out
anxiety also.
In the fall and winter i almost want to cry from relief that i
can once again breath and be normal.
I have had to stop my job’s from this.
Well it is 105 in DC, and I notice that today, I feel pretty anxious, We have no cafeteria where I work so folks go to restaurants. I usually get carry out, sit in the car with the ac on and listen to the radio, but today, I felt so anxious, I was not able to do that. I also notice that I have felt a bit nauseated even in air conditioning. Normal summer weather does not seem to kick up my anxiety so much, but when it is heat wave style heat, I am not so good.
On another note, be careful taking calming supplements because sometimes they can react to SSRI meds and exascerbate anxiety.
hi,
i suffer from anxiety am 30 years old and taking cipralex 10 daily, today i had to visit a work place where the temp was like 40 degree but under shade. after like 20 min i noticed am shaking and my heart was pounding more and felt like am gonna faint. i noticed my body can’t handle harsh conditions . i suspect i may have something serious shall go to a cardio ?
thanks for this great blob i feel more comfort now.
You guys might need to have your estrogen and cortisol levels checked. My wife is a panicker and we found out that it was in large part to high estrogen and cortisol levels accompanied by low testosterone. For her, the use of progesterone cream helped a lot as did avoiding food high in estrogen.
I live in los angeles its been in the 90s or higher for over a f-ing year and I have to work in it im a prisoner in my home on weekends,icant go out, your advice sucks.
Thanks Shaun.
I had my first panic attack 2 months ago while consuming a home made tea I made to relieve my throat…I found tht the flowers at my home named honeysuckle does wonders so I plucked fresh 5-6 flowers n boiled them and while I was about to finish the cup I felt a sensation in my lips….A sudden thought crossed my mind tht may be I consumed poisneous flower…..and ths triggered a severe panic……I still didnt realised it was a panic attack and from my condition I was assuming its my last minute and i am about to die…..i was rushed to the hospital.everyone believed flower was poisneous…..but I calmed down later…..it kept coming for 2-3 days….all i wud do waa only cry…..it made me feel better then……doctors then said it was an anxiety attack and I was put on medicine for a whole month….I was ok then….but its been week or two I am having these attacks again….though i habe learned to calm my self down now……it doesnt last longer than 10 seconds…..but yesterday I felt quite down due to heat…..and last night I had severe short attacks…..today I felt very lazy and anxious the whole day…..my heart has no life as it seems….feel very empty from inside…heart beating rapidly…..and thrist at its peak…….ths had always happened to me in hot summers…and my family members always blammed me for being too lazy….while I am quite active in other seasons…….I have noticed tht if I eat fried eggs in summer mornings I get ths fatigue and heart beating problm…..earlier I thought it was due to may be cholestrol levels…..
Paul, Thank you so much for writing this. I have PTSD, which is exacerbated incredibly by the hot weather and long days; also having hypoglycemia (which is worsened by heat) certainly doesn’t help. But possibly the most difficult aspect of “reverse seasonal affective disorder” is convincing people that it even exists. I work in metal health, a field where the widely-held belief is that everyone needs warm weather and more sunshine. And since the vast majority of the human race dashes to the sun at the first opportunity, I can’t blame others for thinking me crazy to avoid it. Like you, I keep hanging out with my family and friends, and try not to bring people down. Thanks for the advice, and for writing this article. It’s good to hear that I’m not alone. Keep it “shady” and think Fall!
Heat has always bothered me. Really any form of environmental stimulus that is not a baseline exacerbates my anxiety. The majority of the time I am in a semi anxious state, trying to ward off anxiety. Whenever I’m feeling on the edge of an anxiety attack, heat, extreme cold, high humidity, etc throws a huge wrench in my system.
It’s really good to read everyone’s comments. I have a hard time trusting myself when it comes to believing my rationale voice. Hearing everyone else experiences is really relieving. If you read this comment and have a story of your own I encourage you to share it.
Thank you OP
Hey Paul,
The reason I found this article is because I am either experiencing anxiety or heat exhaustion…..most likely the first.
Its really hard because I always have anxiety, but during the summer its pretty bad for the reasons you stated in your article and I find it even gets in the way of me and my boyfriend going for walks in the park when its a mere 21 degrees. Doesnt matter how much I hydrate (ALOT!), eat (i try and eat a healthy balanced diet), and relax indoors in A/C….we still ended up driving to a park and sitting in my car on that beautiful day for an hour.
Im supposed to go out tonight. Now actually.
Its 30 something C outside and pretty humid (Ontario) and although I must have drank like 9 glasses of water, ate a well balanced meal with some snacks in between and yes I did light free weight exercise for 40 minutes (indoors!!) in the morning and got about 9 hours of sleep I feel literally exhausted and like I just want to go to bed even though its 6:30pm. My head is not so sore, but my mouth is dry, I feel fatigued/sleepy and just now started shivering and I wouldn’t call it confusion, but more scatter brained and unable to concentrate (ALL SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY I EXPERIENCE). I try to even play it safe and even if its indoors dont do cardio or a heavy workout on days like this.
I feel like its hopeless and Ill never be able to have fun. I’m sick of being lame. What do you suggest?
PS NEVER ASK ME TO GIVE UP COFFEE. I know its bad. I know. I have about 2 espressos each day. Its my one happiness in life hahaha I’ve tried to part with it but symptoms get intense, BUT I PROMISE I carry a water bottle with me everywhere I go (710 ml) and always fill it up right when I finish it. I do drink alot of water.
I get really worked up when it gets hot and stays hot. I’ve been this way for 7 years. It’s just fear. The warmer it gets the more concerned I get..but I feel relief if it’s just 70 outside. The full sun gets to me too. The stimulation from the environment of air temperature and bright full sunlight overwhelms my senses triggering fear and worry. Especially during long summer days. I spend little time outdoors. I have blackout curtains on my windows, and run my air conditioner most of the time when it’s warm. I get so worked up that I can’t sleep well and that sends me into a downward spiral over time unless I get the proper nutritional supplements I need to rebuild me back up again. I do know it’s not the length of the day or the day on the calendar that triggers this.. It’s the sun and temperature. When it cools off during a cool front…I relax… worry less.. less anxiety..and I sleep better…and can function better. The long term solution to my problem is to MOVE to a cooler place. No heat.. no more problem. Then I can relax..sleep… and live life more confidently. Maybe others on this board should consider the same idea.. Move to a cooler place and get rest.
I’m a 23 year old female. Anxiety is something i’ve always suffered from, but when I was younger I had no idea what it was. I used to wake up throughout the night because my heart would be racing, as if i had just experienced a nightmare, but now I realise it was because i used to wrap myself up in duvets. I passed out in bed once, again when i was younger, due to my body over-heating. Like many others the heat causes havoc with my anxiety. Even showering and (although this has only happened once) drying my hair induces panic attack like symptoms. I’ve booked a Doctor’s appointment for next week to make sure this isn’t something more serious as my bowel movement has pretty much come to a stop unless aided with Senecot tablets.
I’m so thankful for this thread. I thought I was going crazy!
I am 66 yr. old and have had anxiety disorder and associated agoraphobia for almost 50 yr. Although, I have read,everything on the planet about this condition, and know its only ” anxiety’…. the summertime and the heat make my symptoms go through the roof.
I am from Canada, and the only season I can tolerate is early fall, when the temps are moderate and it doesn’t make me feel worse.
I have Raynaud’s Syndrome and freeze in the winter with my fingers and toes turning blue and dead white and then bright red. So I was happy to have warmer weather. But now, if it is above 90 I am miserable and have anxiety and am irritable and just want to crawl into a cave. My feet and hands swell and turn red and I am on meds for the Raynaud’s, but not sure what to do about the heat. I try to stay hydrated, but that doesn’t seem to help my anxiety.
I am 77; have exercised most of my life. Live in NC with high humidity in the summer. I walk early, but the temps are in the upper 70s with very high humidity. Am fine for awhile; now go home when don’t feel well but it takes time for me to get back to normal. I have anxiety…have to breathe in deeply…uncomfortable. Finally, my body settles & I feel normal. I enjoy walking & want to keep my weight at 102; 5’2″ If I stop walking, I will put weight on plus I enjoy the movement.
I hope I am not damaging myself as to feel crummy after exercise never used to happen until recently. Never perspire! Please, any comments. My walking is so important to me. Thank you.