Has this summer’s heatwave triggered anxiety and panic for anyone else?

[TeasAndSeasApply]

I know there have been lots of heatwave threads recently but I wonder if anyone else has found this year's heatwave not just unpleasant but in particular it has caused you a lot of panic, anxiety and anguish?

Admittedly I do have a long history of poor mental health with many years suffering from anxiety, panic and depression but this year has been the absolute worse time for me.

I have found this summer's heatwaves have been very panic inducing. I am not surewhy, maybe it's a sensory thing (I do have adhd and possibly autism) but I despise feeling hot, clammy and sticky, I mean really hate it. I have also felt absolutely exhausted since May (all blood tests fine) and feel as though each day I am wading through concrete. I drink loads, I am slim, I watch what I eat and keep as healthy as possible. I also have IBS and the heat leaves me feeling very nauseous which triggers even more panic.

I do try all the things I have been taught during my years of CBT but it doesn't help much but as soon as we have a lull in the heatwaves and it becomes cooler then so do I - I feel much less panicky, more level headed and have more energy. I long for a heavy down pour, I have no idea why but rain completely levels me, I feel calm and reset during and after the rain. I am even one of life's crazies who actually enjoys being caught out in a downpour.

Does anyone else feel like this? I don't just mean not enjoying the heat as many have said on here but actively feeling as though you may go slightly crazy if it keeps on. It's set to be 30 again here tomorrow and I am trying my hardest to keep the rising panic from reaching a crescendo. I just want it over. I will never, ever moan about winter again.

I was thinking similar, I'll remind myself of this summer all through next year's January blues and try to be grateful that I can at least walk around freely without having to change my clothes multiple times a day.

I'm worried about the long term. I hate the thought that in a decades time I might have to spend several months every year restricting my movements and staying inside with the curtains closed.

Yes, same here. But also just discovered my ferritin is low and i think this can cause heat intolerance/ make heat intolerance worse. I am curious to see how i'll get through heatwaves with a normal ferritin level.

I feel the same. My anxiety is high at the moment and I think the heat has made it worse. Heat does stress the body so it would make sense.

I have low tolerance to extreme heat or extreme cold. I find the heat just as depressing as I find deepest darkest winter because it means I'm inside hiding and everything is such a effort. It takes nothing for me to get heat stroke and just feel generally unwell.

I find peace and joy from being outside gardening and walking the dogs. The thought of months of not being able to do the things I enjoy is rubbish.

With the winter I might get fed up of the dark mornings or the layering up every time I go out but there's some coping strategies to keep me on the move and doing things. With heatwaves there's less you can do to keep going. You can't go outside naked without getting arrested.

Despite dire personal circumstances I am feeling energised. Winter here was six months of very low light levels and constant rain. I'm hoping this next winter is my last one in this region.

That's how I feel, I can layer up and find ways to warm myself throughout the winter but I struggle so much to cool myself down in these dreadful heatwaves. I can't afford air conditioning on every room and tbh I'm loathe to contribute to this mess. I can't se how we can change it now, it does look as though these are the summers to come.

I'm the opposite, I have absolutely zero energy in these heatwaves. I live in the SE and it's hell imo.

I'd happily swap wherever you are.

I am trying to be more grateful about my home in the heat. I've got a much maligned north facing garden with virtually no late afternoon sun so I can at least barricade myself inside away from the worst of it. I really feel for people living in homes that amplify the heat. Like you say, air con adds to the problem but I don't see any other solutions for a lot of people.

Yes. I feel completely panicked. It’s made worse for me by my dysfunctional response to neighbour noise. I don’t feel able to go in the garden or even have windows open a lot of the time. I can cope with heat when I can tune into natural sounds, get a little fresh air at my own pace. Like this, with all the music and banging and shouting I feel like crying or screaming a lot of the time. It’s not fair on my kids, I am absolutely awful company just trying to hold it down

I live in West Coast of Scotland, no heatwaves here, warm weather but always a lovely breeze, feel very blessed and we’ve had lots and lots of rain too - we seem to be one of the few areas unaffected