Why people with mental illness
More susceptible to high temperatures
When the temperature exceeds 35°C, people are prone to mood swings, and people with mental illness are extremely sensitive.
According to statistics, 10% of depressed patients will have relapse depression in the summer.
In a study of four heat waves in Jinan, it was also found that the number of daily visits for mental illness increased significantly.
This is mainly because:
In the case of high temperature and humidity, the brain will have a significant neuroinflammatory response, which will negatively affect the individual's attention and memory.
These changes reduce an individual's ability to recognize and adapt to the environment, making some people with mental illness more exposed to high temperatures.
When an individual's nerve cells have a pro-inflammatory response, it will further disrupt the emotional regulation center of the human hypothalamus, resulting in abnormal secretion of neurotransmitters.
For example, the decrease in the secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine will not only reduce the patient's sense of pleasure, but also increase aggression and some uncontrolled behaviors.
Of course, people with mental illness are more vulnerable at high temperatures, more because of abnormal thermoregulation.
Some patients who take antipsychotics develop thermoregulatory disorders that make the perception of heat more sensitive or dull.
In addition, some psychotropic drugs themselves can cause increased sweating and gastrointestinal disorders, and the loss of body fluids leads to electrolyte metabolism disorders, which is more likely to have abnormal mood and behavior.
Facing high temperatures
People with mental illness should pay more attention to daily care
If high temperatures bring risks such as heat stroke and mood swings to the general population, then the risks borne by people with mental illness are much more than that.
Worsening of drug side effects, dehydration, solar dermatitis, fluctuating or relapsing are all risks.
Therefore, in high temperature weather, patients should pay attention to daily care to avoid aggravation or recurrence.
Specifically, you can do this:
1. Drink plenty of water and replenish water in time
Sweating a lot at high temperatures is bound to take away a lot of sodium chloride and water-soluble vitamins, and eventually lead to heat cramps.
Therefore, it is especially necessary to manage the patient's drinking water problem during the middle of summer.
Replenish water and electrolytes in time to avoid some patients who are "thirsty and do not know it", or refuse to drink water due to symptoms.
Of course, in addition to hydration, patients also need to replenish salt and energy.
You can choose oral rehydration solution salt powder and vitamin C tablets to supplement and improve the ability to resist heat.
2. Reduce going out, prevent heat and cool down
In hot weather, try to avoid people with mental illness going out alone, do not stay outdoors in an unsheltered place for too long, and reduce direct sunlight.
In addition, attention should also be paid to maintaining ventilation indoors, and cooling facilities such as air conditioners and fans should be used appropriately to prevent heat stroke.
If the patient has heat stroke such as dizziness and headache, he or she can take heatstroke medication or go to the hospital.
3. Regular work and rest, pay attention to psychological adjustment
A regular routine is very necessary to alleviate or prevent mental illness.
Sweltering weather can amplify a patient's sensitivity to outside noise, causing insomnia or emotional irritability.
If you don't sleep well at night, you can take a nap for about half an hour at noon to relieve physical fatigue.
When negative emotions such as anger, irritability, and depression appear uncontrollably, try to learn to attribute outwardly to avoid self-blame and increase the psychological burden.
Written at the end:
Studies have shown that high temperatures are one of the causes of exacerbation of mental illness.
Therefore, patients with mental illness and their families should pay special attention to heat prevention and cooling, and pay more attention to changes in their conditions.
Once you find signs of recurrence or worsening of the disease, be sure to see a doctor in time.
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