Psychiatric emergencies are more common in extreme heat, expert warns

Arizona’s scorching summer heat isn’t just a threat to physical health – it’s also pushing more people into psychiatric crises.

As triple-digit temperatures continue across the state, Denova Collaborative Health providers are sounding the alarm about how extreme heat affects the brain, behavior, and common psychiatric medications.

“Pretty much every class of medication is affected by heat and also makes the body more prone to heat-related illnesses,” said Thomas Silva, a physician assistant at Denova who specializes in psychiatry.

Silva says medications such as antipsychotics and antidepressants can interfere with the body’s ability to cool down by reducing its ability to sweat.

“Antipsychotics and antidepressants reduce the body's ability to sweat, and so that makes a person less cool and more likely to get overheated,” Silva said.

But it’s not just the medications. Silva explains that the heat also disrupts sleep and cognitive function, which can quickly worsen underlying mental health conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Jackie Hai

/

KJZZ

He’s seen it firsthand.

“We do see an uptick in mental health crises from the schizophrenic patient who walks off into the desert and is gone for 24 hours and presents back to us in a very decompensated physical condition because the voices were more present because of his dehydration,” Silva said.

That’s why Silva says loved ones play a critical role in spotting problems early, before they escalate into an emergency.

“A loved one who cares about someone who has mental health issues in the family is the first line of defense that sees the person before they ever get to a provider,” he said.

Providers recommend that families watch for warning signs like irritability, confusion, restlessness or sudden mood swings during periods of extreme heat.

They also emphasize the importance of hydration, proper medication use and seeking help sooner rather than later.