Summer Heat

by Vanessa
(Canada,BC)

I have had SPD since I was born, Im now 43 & have only just discovered that there is a name for this!




When I was young,I was called the difficult one,the different one,stubborn,not listening,etc,all the "problems" listed for SPD.

I have a question about heat.It has gotten worse as Ive gotten older,& now Im wondering if this has anything to do with SPD? I cannot stand the heat,at any time.I love cold temperatures preferably under 10 degrees C.I work outside & the sun makes me miserable,Im irritated by the light,& as soon as the clouds come over I can function much better,even if the actual temp is still high.

Could this be SPD? Everyone I know at the place I work thinks Im crazy or mentally ill to like such cold weather.

Id love to hear from you,as maybe it would explain some of my "bizarre" behaviors as others put it!

Thanks
Vanessa



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Jul 12, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Me too
by: Kathy

I get that horrible sense of dread when summer is approaching. Want to move to cooler orange county Calif. But my ex husb is set on being here. we have 2 boys and wouldn't move far from them.My mom couldn't handle the heat well at all. It doesn't just suck it's awful for me too
Jun 02, 2018
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starstarstar 		Confused
by: Allie

Why do you live in the south then, why not move where it isn’t so hot?
Jun 08, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Overheated
by: Debbie

I too have to pour water on myself. Or put ice cubes down my shirt. I work in an air conditioned facility. Sometimes the air is off or broke. I have to do those things to keep from passing out in front of customers and co-workers. I went to the doctor years ago before I became a teenager because this started when I was in kindergarden 1959. He told me each year I get older it will get a worse. He then gave me a verbal prescription to stay out of the heat. That was it . It does not matter how much water I drink. They say stay hydrated. It does not work for me. It never has. If there is not a body or pool of water on outdoor activities I will make up a lie why I can't go. If I have to go I am Scared and depressed for what might happen to me. My husband is not supportive. He makes me go. I get overheated quick. I wish there was a cure for it.
Jun 08, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		I cannot take the heat.
by: Debbie

It started when I was I kindergarden 1959. No air conditioning.back then. Walking home from school scoping every bit of shade I can walk to stay out of the sun. Headaches everyday from heat in class all through every year.I am 61 now and afraid to be invited to picnics or anything to do with being in the heat. My arms, face hands go numb and I am out of breath. I wish they made a chill pill. Literally. It is embaracing being overheated. It is scary.
May 08, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Can't Stand the Heat
by: Anne

Wow. I knew there had to be other people out there like me. I have known about SPD for a few years now. I am in my 50s and have always been very hot natured. I can remember as a child being reprimanded by teachers on the playground because I always removed my coat. I was hot when everyone else was cold.

Now that I am an adult I have more control over my environment. I live in the South where it routinely is over 90 degrees in the summer. I DREAD summers and feel depressed for the whole season. I stay inside with the AC on. I have a fan underneath my desk at work and I wear short sleeve shirts year round.

I don't mind the sun on cool days but I, too, enjoy overcast days as the lighting isn't so harsh.

Does anyone else have migraines triggered by becoming overheated?
Sep 03, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		You are not alone
by: Sony

I also "love overcast, dreary days that are cooler and depress everyone else. My mind and emotions just bask in relief when I can close out bright sun and heat."

That's me too. I am moving to upper altitudes in order to escape the excessive heat of lower latitudes in the US.

I'm stuck feeling awful and can't stand going outside (which doesn't help my VitD deficiency) when it's humid and/or hot. Over 80 deg F and I'm thinking it's time to find air conditioning or shade and a fan. If it's dry climate I'm in, I'll get cool water and dump it on myself. I've been known to use ice cubes on my skin while sweating.

People think I'm nuts all the time. I just accepted it finally and don't have any more shame, but I did when I was younger.

For those who are just now finding out they have a processing disorder: Please try to accept yourself as just fine and good enough/worthy, even if there are not too many around you who feel the same way. They just don't know what it's like and you are very much not alone. There are so many of us out here trying to find out that we're not alone too.

I'm looking for a support group for adults who suffer from any kind of SPD whether it's related to autism/asperger's or any other spectrum or disorder. If there isn't one anywhere near me, I'll start a group and post here the url for reference.
Sep 16, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Can't take the heat
by: Anonymous

Just began looking into this. The heat is MISERABLE for me. I cant stand how instantly im anxious and just feel stuck like i cant so anything except sit and think about how badly i want to be in a cold dark quiet room. Unlike others though, i like the sun on days that are cool enough, just not when its hot out. I've had anxiety and depression after hard times during pregnancy and then losing a child. Now I'm noticing the list of things that make me anxious is growing and the intensity of anxiety is going up too. I'm wondering if its been brought on by pregnancy, but this list has a lot on it that sounds like me as a kid but I've been taught (shamed) into handling certain ways. Could it be that this is related to hormones somehow? So confused and frustrated and sick of others thinking I'm just depressed and insane.
Sep 09, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Summer Heat
by: Anonymous

Liz
If your sons body temp is running low like mine that would explain why he prefers the cooler weather.

Im comfortable in temps from -5 to 10 C.I love to wear warm clothes,but hate hot sweaty weather.
Vanessa
Jul 21, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Another hotty!
by: Shae

Yes! I can so relate to the too hot when everyone else is "okay," or freezing. Also, love overcast, dreary days that are cooler and depress everyone else. My mind and emotions just bask in relief when I can close out bright sun and heat. Trips me out when the weather man starts the forecast with, "It's going to be another BEAUTIFUL day, highs in the upper 90's!" I am 61 and have discovered everyone's comments after learning there's actually a reason I can try to talk with someone in a noisy room, hear that they're speaking English, and have the words enter my brain making absolutely no sense. Other issues, too, but THANK YOU, GOD, for everyone writing in so we can let the world know we're really not nuts, just wired weird. Best of luck to all!
Feb 19, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Yupp...Same Thing! :)
by: Markuskobi

Im 40 now and was diagnosed at 34 with ADHD after seeking help for substance abuse issues that began when I was 15 and finally wore me out in my early 30's. I was relieved by my diagnosis because treating it with medication and therapy has completely eliminated my self medicating behaviors and helped me make a lot of sense out of why I used drugs and alcohol for so many years. The symptoms you describe are extremely familiar to me also. I am constantly hotter than everyone around me, which has caused extreme problems socially and professionally. I get a distinct sense of hopelessness every summer when I feel that nobody really has any idea how bad it gets for me sometimes, because I'm not merely 'a little uncomfortable'...I'm drenched and aggravated, and exhausted from doing battle with the heat everyday.

I LOVE the cold and people are always barking at me to close windows or shut the A/C off after running it at 64 for hours. I have the same issue with the sun as I tend to get depressed or want to stay in bed until sunset on the bright sunny days, but will feel much more focused and motivated when I look out in the AM to see a totally overcast day, as I feel I can 'see' much better and function much more efficiently. I also love when the days are very short and the sun goes down by 4:30, while in the summertime I will stay in the house with the blinds pulled till 8 PM if I can get away with it! It gets very discouraging to be labeled the 'weirdo' just because my likes and dislikes seem to be in such sharp contrast to those of the majority, but I gave up fighting with people over it long ago. If anything it has helped me be much more considerate and attentive to others like myself who have a hard time getting others to 'hear' how they are affected by sensitivity to things that don't seem to bother anybody else.
Nov 05, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Re: Summer Heat
by: Anonymous

Vanessa,
I don't think you are crazy at all! My son has SPD and is 11 years old. He tells me all the time he is hot. His normal body temperature actually runs cool. He averages between 97.6-98.2 degrees F. When he is sick I will take his temperature and it will finally go up to around 99 degrees. Rarely, even when he has had the flu, does his temperature go above 100 degrees. He does not like to wear clothing even in cold temperatures. He does not like to wear socks, long pants, long sleeve shirts and does not want to be covered with blankets at night. He would rather have several pillows surround him to keep him warm than a blanket over him. Strange, yes, but that's how he likes it! So, I think what you are describing sounds pretty "normal" to someone with SPD. Good luck and stay cool :)
Liz

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