Title
Impact of heatwaves on depression and anxiety in India: A time-series analysis
Authors
M.R. Murali1, Rahul Tiwari2,*, R.S. Gayathri Priyadarshini3, Heena Dixit Tiwari4, M.C. Prashant2, Tohid Ali5 & Afroz Kalmee Syed6
Affiliation
1Department of Psychiatry, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore, Karnataka, India; 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, RKDF Dental College and Research Centre, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India; 3Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, BIHER University, Chrompet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; 4Programme Officer, Blood Cell, Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Telangana, Hyderabad, India; 5Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, RKDF Dental College and Research Centre, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India; 6Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Writing and Publications, Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, India; *Corresponding author
M.R. Murali - E-mail: dr.murali09@gmail.com
Rahul Tiwari - E-mail: drrahulvctiwari@gmail.com
R.S. Gayathri Priyadarshini - E-mail: drgayathripriyadarshini@gmail.com
Heena Dixit Tiwari - E-mail: drheenatiwari@gmail.com
M.C. Prashant - E-mail: pillaiprasant@yahoo.com
Tohid Ali - E-mail: dr.tohidali@yahoo.com
Afroz Kalmee Syed - E-mail: afrozsyed05@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received November 15, 2025; Revised December 15, 2025; Accepted December 15, 2025, Published December 15, 2025
Abstract
Climate change has intensified heatwaves in India, yet their impact on psychiatric hospitalizations remains underexplored. We conducted a two-year time-series research (2022–2023) at a tertiary care hospital, examining daily admissions for depression and anxiety against meteorological data. Hence, a total of 4,320 psychiatric admissions were recorded, including 1,750 for depression and 2,570 for anxiety. Data shows that heatwave days were associated with modest but significant increases in admissions for both conditions. Women and older adults were more vulnerable. Integrating mental health into heat action plans is warranted.
Keywords
Heatwaves; depression; anxiety; hospitalization; India
Citation
Murali et al. Bioinformation 21(12): 4301-4303 (2025)
Edited by
Rashmi Daga
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
