Lucknow: As temperatures across Uttar Pradesh soar to unbearable highs — with Banda clocking 47°C — a quieter, more insidious crisis is unfolding across the state. Psychiatrists are sounding the alarm over a dramatic rise in mental health issues among young adults, driven not by social stress or trauma, but by the relentless heat itself.
From the urban sprawl of Noida to the dusty plains of Jhansi and the bustling alleys of Gorakhpur, doctors are witnessing a surge in patients grappling with mood swings, anxiety, irritability, depression, and symptoms of bipolar disorder — all linked to prolonged heat exposure.
At Agra’s S.N. Medical College, the Psychiatry Outpatient Department (OPD) is packed beyond capacity. “We’re seeing 100 to 150 patients every day, and the numbers keep growing,” said Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Gupta, senior psychiatrist. “What’s alarming is that most are between 20 and 40 — an age group usually considered mentally robust. But the extreme heat is destabilizing emotional responses. People are impulsive, agitated, or completely withdrawn.”
Dr. Gupta explained that many patients show symptoms consistent with bipolar mood disorder — sudden bursts of aggression, excessive talking, or extended periods of silence. “It’s the brain reacting to thermal stress,” he said. “High temperatures are more than a physical threat — they’re a neurological disruptor.”
The pattern is consistent across the state. In Varanasi, Dr. Anjali Mehta, consultant psychiatrist at IMS Hospital, observed, “Extreme heat interferes with sleep cycles and disrupts serotonin and dopamine regulation. These are crucial mood-stabilizing chemicals. We’re seeing cases of young professionals with no mental health history walk in complaining of panic attacks and acute anxiety.”
In Allahabad, Dr. Rakesh Nair from SRN Hospital noted that lower-income groups are especially vulnerable. “When temperatures rise above 44°C, and you combine that with economic stress and inadequate cooling, it’s a mental health powder keg,” he said. “We’re also witnessing relapses among patients on psychiatric medication, which can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature.”
Scientific studies back these observations. A 2022 paper in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology reported a marked increase in bipolar disorder hospitalizations on days when temperatures exceed 44°C. Similarly, a 2017 study published in PLOS One linked high temperatures to sudden shifts into manic or depressive states — especially among susceptible populations.
In Agra, 32-year-old Raghav (name changed), a bank executive, shared his recent experience. “I was snapping at everyone and had constant headaches. I thought I was burning out at work,” he said. “But the psychiatrist told me the symptoms were heat-induced, made worse by poor sleep. I’m now on mild medication and avoid stepping out during peak hours.”
Health experts are now urging the government to include mental health warnings in heatwave advisories. “Public messaging focuses on dehydration and heatstroke, but mental health needs to be part of the conversation,” said Dr. Mehta.
Doctors recommend a combination of preventive strategies: staying hydrated, using sun protection, maintaining consistent sleep routines, and seeking timely psychiatric help if emotional instability persists. For those on psychiatric drugs, avoiding direct sunlight and keeping ORS handy is especially crucial.
As the state braces for another scorching summer, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the impact of climate change isn’t just physical — it’s psychological. The heat is not only melting roads and drying up rivers; it’s quietly eroding mental resilience.
