How Climate Change Impacts Mental Health

Abstract

Climate change has many consequences, including a negative impact on mental health. This impact is often overlooked because mental health issues often remain hidden inside us. These issues can for example result from experiencing extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and droughts. These events can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other psychological disorders, such as anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disorders, compulsive repetitive play, flashbacks, depression, psychosomatic sickness, and paranoia. These can in turn increase for example the number of suicides. Also, climate change can impact our mental health through environmental changes. For example, higher surface air temperature can disrupt sleep, and cause mood, behavior, and neurotic disorders, and schizophrenia. And sea level rise can increase people’s stress levels and lead to for example depression.

Credit: This chapter is based on the scientific article “The Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health: A Systematic Descriptive Review” by Paolo Cianconi, Sophia Betro, and Luigi Janiri. (Full citations and link available at the end of the chapter)

Figure Credits

Fig. 3.1 Dreame Walker on Shutterstock

Fig. 3.2 Ivankurakevich on Shutterstock

Fig. 3.3 “SeaSea level projections at Alligator RiverRiver National WildlifeWildlife Refuge” by U.S. FishFishes and WildlifeWildlife Service Headquarters is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sea_level_projections_at_Alligator_River_National_Wildlife_Refuge_(5687793984).jpg

Author: https://www.flickr.com/people/50838842@N06

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/