As temperatures across the Dallas-Fort Worth area continue to soar, a local psychiatrist is raising alarms about the serious impact extreme heat is having on both the mental and physical well-being of residents.
Dr. Aditya Sharma, a psychiatrist and head of Medical City McKinney’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, says the brutal summer heat is doing more than making people uncomfortable. He explains that high temperatures can cause serotonin levels to drop, leading to feelings of irritability, anger, unhappiness, and a complete loss of motivation.
“When your serotonin goes down you feel unhappy and irritable and you become impulsive and you are not motivated to do anything” Dr. Sharma said. He added that people already living with depression or other psychiatric conditions are especially vulnerable and may experience a significant worsening of their symptoms during prolonged heat events.
The effects are visible across the city. At Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas food truck vendor Andrey Ramirez says the heat has noticeably changed the mood of his customers. He described people arriving tired and expressionless compared to the energy they normally bring during cooler months.
Dr. Sharma also issued a specific warning for people taking psychiatric medications. He says certain prescriptions can make the body less capable of tolerating extreme heat and can significantly increase the risk of dehydration and other dangerous complications.
Visitors to Klyde Warren Park echoed those concerns firsthand. Julie Astbury described stepping outside and immediately feeling as though she had walked into an oven. Her husband Joel who takes antidepressant medication said the heat completely drains his energy and plans to discuss the issue with his doctor.
Dr. Sharma urges anyone on prescription medication to take their doses correctly and to monitor their heart rate closely during periods of extreme heat. Staying well hydrated is also critical especially for those managing ongoing mental health conditions.
The psychiatrist’s message to the public is straightforward. Be aware of your health condition and avoid taking unnecessary risks when temperatures reach dangerous levels. Those experiencing worsening mental health symptoms during the heat are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider promptly.