Sometimes warmer weather is accompanied by a worsening of mood, low proactivity and zest for action, fatigue, anhedonia, sleep disturbances and restlessness.
It is called SAD, 'Seasonal affective disorder'.
Anxiety and panic attacks might worsen with the arrival of summer. The reason for this is that the increase in temperatures, hours and intensity of sunlight puts a strain on the body, which has to adapt to the changes.
This adjustment process is particularly challenging for people suffering from GAD, who experience bodily sensations more intensely. The arrival of warm weather leads more easily to sleep disturbances, increasing levels of fatigue and stress that complicate states of anxiety.
As in all cases where anxiety and panic are involved, it is important to know how to recognise and distinguish them'.
seasons and the mood
The changing seasons affect human energy levels and, as a result, the mood of people, particularly those who are more vulnerable to emotional disorders, can undergo sudden fluctuations. When the temperature humidity levels rise, typical panic symptoms such as feeling weak, sweating, tachycardia, choking and light-headedness, tend to increase in frequency, duration and intensity.
In people who already suffer from panic attacks, the idea of having to spend most of the day in often cramped and crowded places such as trams and buses, aggravates the feeling of fainting and loss of control typical of this condition. Hence, the subject starts to lock himself indoors, avoid crowded places, and check the weather forecasts in an obsessive-like manner to examine all the variables involved as much as possible.
However, these avoidance mechanisms, although in the short term they appear functional as they temporarily allow anxiety levels to be kept under control, in the long run, they invalidate the individual's interpersonal relationships and consequently, the quality of life.
The vicious circle of panic
In people who are already predisposed to be alarmed by normal bodily sensations and to perceive the symptoms of anxiety disproportionately, even a simple dizziness represents evidence that something serious is about to happen.
Obviously, the subject's catastrophic perception will cause the heart to beat faster, triggering a chain of alarm reactions that, paradoxically, exacerbate the initial bodily sensations and confirm the main fears of the person suffering from panic attacks, namely the fear of fainting, dying and, in some cases, going mad.
On the other hand, those who are less vulnerable to anxiety disorders or panic attacks, although they perceive the discomfort caused by heat in an unpleasant way, hardly have the tendency to attribute catastrophic significance to such phenomena.
Understanding how the physical consequences of heat can be confused with the onset of a panic attack is a crucial step in understanding the mechanisms of panic, how they originate and how they are maintained. However, should the situation become crippling, seeking professional help may be the optimal solution to deal with the problem in a targeted and effective manner.
Anxiety attack or panic attack?
Anxiety is, first of all, a state of mental tension and worry that is reflected in the body with manifestations such as muscular tension, throbbing, sweating, and a feeling of heat or cold that can generally last for hours,' the expert continues.
The onset of anxiety is motivated by a real situation that creates concern, whereas a panic attack is essentially unmotivated and unexpected.
A panic attack occurs when one feels an acute sensation of very strong malaise and physical discomfort, which is expressed in the body with difficulty breathing, heart palpitations and altered balance, the worst phase of which can vary from a few seconds to about ten munits and then leave a more or less long tail. The panic attack is often accompanied by a general feeling of not feeling physically fit.
What to do
In the case of anxiety: it is important to try to understand the reason why it arises and, if possible, to resolve it.
Applying relaxation techniques or distracting oneself from anxious thoughts can be very helpful in diminishing the feeling of unease.
In the case of a panic attack: it is important to know that it will pass on its own. However, while waiting for it to pass, to reduce the intensity of the attack one can practice breathing control techniques, or get the body in motion, e.g. sprinting.
What not to do
In the case of both panic attacks and anxiety, it is important to
avoid the immediate intake of traditional anxiolytics, benzodiazepines
avoid alcohol: it offers momentary relief but ends up chronicising the disorder
deluding oneself into thinking one can manage anxiety rationally. Alternatively, it is better to act on the body, for example, with physical relaxation techniques.
What not to say
To help those who are suffering from an anxiety or panic attack, it is important to know that it is best not to say phrases that belittle the problem and the emotional suffering. Therefore, classic catchphrases such as:
"put your good will into it"
"you have no reason to feel this way"
"control yourself".
What to say
offer understanding, listening, trust in what the person is saying
invite relaxation
help control breathing that tends to be too fast
try to distract the person during the moment of difficulty
encourage the person to turn to specialists to seek real therapy