How The Heat May Be Impacting Your Mood

by Suzanne Monaghan

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Extended extreme heat can impact not only your body, but your mind as well.

Feeling irritable or depressed lately?

You're not alone, and it could be the high temperature that's getting you down.

"There's research indicating on average, increased aggression during a serious heat wave, inter-group conflicts, interpersonal conflicts," said Dr. Frank Farley, the former president of the American Psychological Association.

Some studies show suicide rates increase as well as drug and alcohol abuse. Others show a link between heat and violent crime.

People also get cabin fever in the summer when it's too hot to enjoy the outdoors.

"It's like being imprisoned in your house if it's a 100-degrees outside, or 103-degrees, and your mobility is curtailed so much and we don't like that," said Dr. Farley.

Farley says people usually only think of weather impacting mood during the colder months.

"In heat wave effects, it's the heat in all likelihood that has the consequences. But for SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, it's light," he said.

Farley says the best way to treat any mild, negative heat-related feelings is to stay cool, drink plenty of water, and, if possible, nap during the hottest part of the day.