I'm writing a column about how heat affects me. Basically, I start to shut down when the temp hits 80°. Temperatures above 90° render me useless. I was wondering if other people with AD/HD experienced the same thing?

I had always assumed this was just part of AD/HD, but a search on the web isn't turning up any hits. Maybe this a different problem. At any rate, I'd love your input. Try and get it in quick. I'm writing my column this very moment. :) lol

I am quite sensitive to heat myself. Do you experience this incapacitation at the heat of the moment (pun intended), or is it an ongoing experience? One thing to consider, and I am not sure if this pertains to you, but I tend to sleep less during the summer months as the heat affects my ability to fall sleep, which could cause worse concentration in the end. Less sleep does tend to make ADHD symptoms worse.

Heat distresses me when I am medicated. I can only assume that unmedicated I cannot remember if it effects me for very long :o.


Crazy

I am quite sensitive to heat myself. Do you experience this incapacitation at the heat of the moment (pun intended), or is it an ongoing experience? One thing to consider, and I am not sure if this pertains to you, but I tend to sleep less during the summer months as the heat affects my ability to fall sleep, which could cause worse concentration in the end. Less sleep does tend to make ADHD symptoms worse.

True, sleep deprivation does affect AD/HD, but I'm referring to an overall neurological slowdown. When temperatures rise, I notice I misfire more. I become more absentminded, more distractible. It IS gradual so I don't notice it at 80°F, but I do start to get frustrated with my dip in performance then might take time to notice how hot I am. LOL THEN I notice the temp and say "Oh! That's what's happening!"

I can function, meaning I can get around and do things, but it's such a struggle and exhausts me something fierce. By the end of the day I'm a vegetable. At temps above 95°F I am a slug.

I believe this is related to overall hypersensitivity, but the added neurological slowdown makes it a bit different.

Heat distresses me when I am medicated. I can only assume that unmedicated I cannot remember if it effects me for very long :o.


LOL :D

I"m sensitive to the heat and I've noticed that when I"m uncomfortable in the heat I don't want to do anything! my procrastination worsens, as does my concentration. I"m more stressed out in the heat as well.

I don't know if it has anything to do with ADD, although it can make it seem worse. Lots of people without ADD feel uncomfortable in the heat though and just want to sit around and wait for it to pass.

I don't know if it has anything to do with ADD, although it can make it seem worse. Lots of people without ADD feel uncomfortable in the heat though and just want to sit around and wait for it to pass.

To be sure. What I'm trying to determine is if its WORSE for ADHD people. I'm trying to separate the feelings of discomfort from being overheated from the symptoms of AD/HD. You could say that almost everybody is uncomfortable during a heat wave. After all, the death toll is mounting every day nation wide. And AD/HD people are hypersensitive generally, so they'd be among the first to be bothered by the heat, but not everybody has a hard time thinking in the heat. And if they do, do people with AD/HD start to break down sooner? I can't seem to find any studies on the subject, which I find fascinating in and of itself.

From personal experience, my wife and I both can't stand the heat, but I'm the one reduced to a lump of goo when the temp crosses 90°F. She still scuttles about, though in discomfort.

I am more tolerant of heat now that I am medicated. I still hate it - being in South Florida makes this worse - but before I could snap out or have a panic attack.

I still don't understand how normal people go to the beach, and have BBQs, in the SUMMER! We have wonderful weather between November and February - this is the time to be out. I wish I could spend the rest of my time in San Francisco!

Thanks for everybody's feedback. Next time I'll try to plan ahead and leave more than a few hours for your replies. Planning ahead...yeah, that'd be a good idea. Gee, I wonder why I have a hard time doing that? :p

Here is the article I posted if you are interested. I'd love to hear your feedback there if you have the time.

http://thesplinteredmind.blogspot.com/2006/07/does-adhd-get-worse-in-heat-or-is-your.html

When I am not on my meds I LOVE the hot weather, I hate the cold..I am very happy when it is hot out... I get cold real easy...... But now that I am on the meds I can not care it as much... EVen hot food right now does not really sound good..:eek:

Heat makes EEEEEVERYTHING worse!!! I like a nice comfortable day like anyone but give me 22 degrees over 101 degrees ANY DAY! You can aaaaaaaaalways put on more clothes and be warmer. But when it's hot, nekkid just means the son kills you more directly.

I don't know if ADHD has anything to do with it. For example, I'm fine in the heat (although I hate feeling sticky) but my best friend who is totally NOT ADHD (spotless house, totally organized) practically melts and can;t do a thing once the temp is past 85. Just my 2 cents.

I don't know if ADHD has anything to do with it. For example, I'm fine in the heat (although I hate feeling sticky) but my best friend who is totally NOT ADHD (spotless house, totally organized) practically melts and can;t do a thing once the temp is past 85. Just my 2 cents.;) I am leaning toward this concept myself.

Crazy

;) I am leaning toward this concept myself.

It might have some logic, though, if ADDers have a higher correllation of heat sensitivity than nonADDers. In any case, the heat is distracting, which would naturally make ADD .... worse (don't distractions in general make ADD worse?). But then again, it depends on how you think about it... Does heat make the fundamental problem (the cause of ADD) worse? Probably not, but who knows?

It might have some logic, though, if ADDers have a higher correllation of heat sensitivity than nonADDers. In any case, the heat is distracting, which would naturally make ADD .... worse (don't distractions in general make ADD worse?). But then again, it depends on how you think about it... Does heat make the fundamental problem (the cause of ADD) worse? Probably not, but who knows?Certainly not I! I don't see any evidence of this possible correlation as of yet. The distraction factor probably has more to do with it than anything IMO.

Just my 2C, free as always,

Crazy

Just my 2C, free as always,

That's not a very profitable business plan, you know.

That's not a very profitable business plan, you know.Yes I was having yet another Changeling moment. The Great Link beckons and so, I lose out on profit yet again!

:cool:

Heat does not change my attention issues. Heat does make me feel stressed, and it does elevate my sensory issues a bit.

I think the relationship between heat and adhd is related to sensory loading and stress levels. I don't think heat affects attention issues directly.


ME :D

Fighting neurological disabilities with attitude and humor

Nice blog spot going there. The 95 degree weather may have melted your brain, or have ya frying eggs on the side walk but I love some one who can read guidelines and apply them (well done) Maybe you felt sluggish but, your blog didn't read that way at all.

Warning this will not be one of my more chipper post, a bit of downer truth, rrreality, medical stuff to deal with for me. :( It does correlate with the subject of this thread nicely though. Figured I would share, as rrreality isn’t always peaches and cream unless one is like out of touch completely.


Heat and ADD okay can any one say allergies, or autoimmune hmmmm according to what my doctor says there is more autoimmune issues in the southern states than in northern ones. ADDer who are prone to allergy issues are also possibly at risk for autoimmune issues (jury is still out).

Things I think I remember maybe:
They are looking into viruses being at the heart of autoimmune, the one he mentioned is kin to the herpes virus, ya know cold sores. The virus triggers the immune system but because the virus takes up some of the qualities of the host own organs the immunity that the body releases attacks organs of the body. Heat increases the activity of these viruses. When ya stop and think for a minute hot weather would increase exposure chances as more of the ole bod is exposed in 100 degree weather as opposed to 38 degree weather.

The susceptibility to this virus is genetic, as are allergies and ADD!



Also under suspension is allergies, because allergies has the immune system all in a thither, thus the body begin releasing immature cells I can’t quiet remember how but this increases autoimmune occurrence. Maybe the cells have ADD tooo and forget what they are supposed to be fighting (as you can tell my medications were fading about this time)Down here in the south in some areas it doesn’t freeze very often thus we have a longer growing seasons for stuff that stuffs us up (I won’t even mention the bug life). During certain times of the year I am allergic to one thing EARTH!

So there is a connection between the heat and some factors that may increase autoimmune problems like lupus, raynards, and chronic fatigue. If I am lucky I will be able to re-call some of the sites that explain this better (I will share-if you all don’t mind). He doesn’t know the connection between autoimmune and ADD but he presently doing research into this area concerning the patients in his own practice. He asked a series of questions about my family history of autoimmune however until this generation we lived up north.

My sister does heat poorly probably why she moved from Texas to Ohio. While the rest of us seem to do heat okay until we approach middle age, (then we become less tolerant of heat and cold (fun fun fun)) No one in my family does direct sun light well, we get “sun sick”.

My doctor has suggested I begin a series of anti-viral medications because I already have raynards syndrome(which is the only autoimmune that runs in our family that I know of) . I haven’t began them because I do not have insurance and the prescriptions will cost $350.00 a month for no less than three months = do the math lots of denero however my alternatives do not look good.


I have some in savings as I did not spend all I had saved for a car on a car. However I do not have $1050.00 (about half that). I haven’t even discussed this with Gary, I not to sure where to start. I need to call in for my adderall tomorrow and am thinking of telling him to go ahead and send the prescription of the antiviral. I have been not feeling as per my usual in several months and seem to be declining. In the past two weeks I have lost my appetite which doesn't happen for me unless I am dying. I feel as if I am loosing my bounce and feel less wiggly (but no increase in attention span when un-medicated)

I can’t even tolerate working out side in the shade with Gary like I did last summer. Once that heat begins to hit I begin to feel bla, the bad feeling progresses until I feel like I am going to faint after about an hour even if I stay in the shade. I can’t tolerate the direct sun for no more than 15 minutes. Any longer than that it begins to burn my skin despite the 50 spf sun screen I apply religiously. All I have to do is be out in the sun long enough to begin turning pink and my skin will burn like flame burn. I have been working nights at my nursing job but I do miss the variety I had when I could do both jobs, besides I like the physical activity I get working with Gary.

I shall try to find those reference sites because I may attempt to explain this to Gary (then again I may not) but will share any thing I find with you guys. This does correlate the heat with illness such as autoimmune. So dude ya may be onto more than you thought. I am sorry I was unable to catch you before you posted your article in your blog (which is most excellent).

I never really noticed the heat thing before but for the past three days we have had a heat advisory and this morning on the way to work my Fiance said to me "maybe you should go see the doctor today, the heat is making you act weird." I took ofense to that but anyway I guess it does affect me.

it is like 100 degrees where i live now (Vermont ironic huh??) and I cant take stimulants while it is this hot or I need to hide in my apt all day because I will collapse (or at least feel that way) when :faint: :faint: :faint: I take it... so I guess:mad: :mad: :mad: the lack of dexedrine makes the "rebound hyperactivity" a lot worse which then makes adhd worse but it is more of a chain effect... no dex today which is why I am just babbling on even though I really have no more to say...

The main thing that extremely hot weather does, for me, is that it aggravates the 'dry throat' side effect while I'm on Adderall.

I tend to drink more water (more than usual) while it's hot outside, to alleviate that side effect.

Otherwise my tongue and throat, feel like, they're filled with sand.


Nova

I was told that Strattera will make you heat sensitive. I didn't know this until yesterday. Last week, we were experiencing a crazy heat wave in San Diego/So Cal (95 to low 100's). After being cooped up & getting cabin fever/stir crazy for much of the day last Saturday (indoors where there's AC), I went for a run at dusk.

When I arrived at my destination, I experienced a flush feeling and was nauseous:faint: , and my friends said I turned all pink; I thought I was getting heat stroke. I relayed the info to the doc who told me yesterday that it was probably because of being on Strattera--eh, either way, I was advised to not run/jog in that weather.

Good article on blogspot, by the way :)

Mead823,
I would like to throw another autoimmune disease into the mix. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease where the myelin sheath (the insulation) of the nerve axons are damaged or destroyed. There is a link between heat (also stress and fatigue) and worsening of MS symptoms. Heat appears to further impede nerve transmission through nerves that have damaged myelin sheaths (might this also apply to other brain/nerve damage). This means that though heat does not cause new exacerbations, it worsens the symptoms of existing damaged areas. So when overheated, the old symptoms of past exacerbations can come back. I get vision problems on the left eye (past optic neuritis) and facial problems (past Bell's palsy) on the right side. Heat causes a fatigue in many people with MS as well. Also, there may be a link as you said between viral infections and autoimmune diseases. In MS, many exacerbations happen within a week of a viral infection.

Yea, hot weather affects me. In the summer, I am more cranky and irritable when it gets really hot and humid. I also don't sleep as well. I don't have central air but use window air conditioners. It gets in the 90's during the day and is in the 70's to low 80's in the middle of the night. It is also very steamy, too. The a/c I have does not keep the room at a comforable 65 which is good for my sleep. It also doesn't get dark until 9 p.m. so there's way too much daylight and not enough time to get sleepy.

When I don't get enough sleep I don't function as well.

Let's face it, this heat wave sucks. All kinds of people from all over the country are complaining about it and people are dying of exposure to it. Are we really saying that because the heat seems bad that it must be our add/adhd? I know people who I am sure aren't add/adhd saying a lot of the same things that you guys are. The heat is bad, staying indoors, drinking more, sweating a lot, irritable, etc, etc. I don't think that there is any correlation between the way we deal with heat and our add/adhd. Why? because everyone is complaining about it. The only thing that I can see is that the heat makes it a little easier to procrastinate.

Wow, I'm glad this topic was started...

Heat makes everything worse for me. Im in Texas right now, but I keep my room at a chill 64f at all times. I loved the time I had at MIT, you could ski everyday if you drove a few miles. Perfect!

I notice that I'm most productive in the winter months, or anytime in a cold enough climate. I sort of, "come alive" in the winter, almost as if I hibernate during the summer. Winter makes me much more social and motivated.

As for its workings with ADD, its probly due to the fact that most of us have a hard time blocking out distractions. That means as we get more uncomftorable with our environment, we become that much more distracted by it. Add that with the stimulation of our medications, and you have a hard time in heat.

This means that though heat does not cause new exacerbations, it worsens the symptoms of existing damaged areas.

Agreed and thanks because you said it much better than I did. Yes I believe this to be true for me.

Heat also makes my allergies worse but more than likely it is what I am allergic to (Johnson weeds) which is every where and one of the few things that is still growing in this heart wave.

I did work outside until last week, however even if I remain in the shade I feel like I am going to faint. My doc. Assures me the reason I feel like I am fixing to faint is because I am. I have been told because I have some autoimmune / allergy problems I should not work outside in the summer months unless I want to get a lot worse a lot quicker.

Adderall, Ritalin and SNS stimulants are bronco dilatators, thus vaso constrictors, in other wards the meds my constrict the perferial circulation just enough to make it harder for your body to open up your pores thus making it harder for the heat in your body escape. This is only my line of thinking based on a minute amount of medical knowledge but I too feel like I have a harder time dealing with the heat when I am on my medications, because it feels like once I get hot it takes longer for my body to cool down.

I notice that I'm most productive in the winter months, or anytime in a cold enough climate. I sort of, "come alive" in the winter, almost as if I hibernate during the summer. Winter makes me much more social and motivated.

As for its workings with ADD, its probly due to the fact that most of us have a hard time blocking out distractions. That means as we get more uncomftorable with our environment, we become that much more distracted by it. Add that with the stimulation of our medications, and you have a hard time in heat.I couldn't have said it better myself! I was born and raised in the South (currently live in Charleston, SC) but I am miserable here from April to September. 100 degrees at 90+% humidity simply kills me.

But when I am up north, everyone else is shivering and miserable, but I am content. I can THINK CLEARLY! I always knew it before, but I didn't "know it" if that makes any sense.

I have actually been contemplating a move to a northern state for about a year just to see how it affects me. Crazy, huh?

I can't be sensitive to heat and humidity although it annoys me I have to soldier on and just wait knowing that there is only 3 more months of freakin hot humid summer. Guess I just get used to it.