On the PulseHighlights on biomedical research 
Warm Environment Concerns Depressed People
BY: Benny ChungSep 1, 2022

Given thermoregulation can be governed by the autonomic nervous system and/or behaviour, attenuated functioning of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system has been found in individuals with depressive disorders as compared to healthy controls. Hence, individuals with depressive disorders would be affected by altered thermoregulation. However, an online survey by von Salis et al (2021) involving 672 participants reflected that depressed vs. non-depressed individuals did not differ in their experienced autonomic and behavioural responses to temperature increases. Nonetheless, the depressed individuals reported comparably greater difficulties in concentrating and drowsiness/fatigue in warm environments, during physical exertion, and during stress. The findings suggested that depressed individuals may have greater vigilance problems in response to intense warmth.