Mood changes at very high altitudes in Pakistan

Ahmad, Sumair; Hussain, Sadiq

doi:10.12669/pjms.331.11393

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Mood disorders comprise the diagnostic categories of unipolar depressive or bipolar disorder. Depressive symptoms can be triggered by exposure to HA as has been found in chamber and field studies on healthy volunteers (Shukitt-Hale et al, 1998; Li et al, 2000; de Aquino Lemos et al, 2012; Ahmad and Hussain, 2017). One case report exists about the occurrence of mania at HA in a patient with a prediagnosed bipolar disorder (Brahm and Puls, 2011).…”

Section: Mood Disordersmentioning

confidence: 86%

Going to Altitude with a Preexisting Psychiatric Condition

Hüfner

Sperner‐Unterweger

Brugger

2019

High Altitude Medicine & Biology

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Psychiatric disorders have a high lifetime prevalence affecting about 30% of the global population. Not much is known about high altitude (HA) sojourns in individuals living with a psychiatric condition. This lack of scientific evidence contrasts with the anticipated increase in numbers of individuals with preexisting psychiatric conditions seeking medical advice on HA exposure. Not only are there risks associated with a HA climb, but physical activity in general is known to improve symptoms of many psychiatric disorder and enhance measures of mental well-being like quality of life and resilience. There are additional positive effects of alpine environments on mental health beyond those of physical activity. All individuals going to HA with a preexisting psychiatric condition should be in a state of stable disease with no recent change in medication. Specific considerations and recommendations apply to individual psychiatric disorders. During the HA sojourn the challenge is to separate altitude-related symptoms such as insomnia from prodromal symptoms of the underlying disorder (e.g., depressive episode) or altitude-related hyperventilation from panic attacks. In case an individual with preexisting anxiety disorder decides to go to HA there might be a predisposition toward acute mountain sickness (AMS), but it should always be considered that many symptoms of anxiety and AMS overlap. Any medication that is anticipated to be taken during ascent or at HA should be tested for compatibility with the psychiatric condition and medication before the trip.

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Section: Mood Disordersmentioning

confidence: 86%

Going to Altitude with a Preexisting Psychiatric Condition

Hüfner

Sperner‐Unterweger

Brugger

2019

High Altitude Medicine & Biology

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“…It is increasingly appreciated that psychological factors may be equally important to HA success, however their influence has been far less explored in the literature [ 3 , 4 ]. Mental wellbeing and resilience are essential for HA enjoyment and accomplishment [ 5 ]. There is some evidence to suggest a reciprocal relationship between increasing state (‘at this moment’) anxiety and HA related illnesses, whereby worsening HA related symptoms and acute mountain sickness (AMS) can lead to greater anxiety and vice versa [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between anxiety and acute mountain sickness

et al. 2018

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IntroductionWhilst the link between physical factors and risk of high altitude (HA)-related illness and acute mountain sickness (AMS) have been extensively explored, the influence of psychological factors has been less well examined. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between ‘anxiety and AMS risk during a progressive ascent to very HA.MethodsEighty health adults were assessed at baseline (848m) and over 9 consecutive altitudes during a progressive trek to 5140m. HA-related symptoms (Lake Louise [LLS] and AMS-C Scores) and state anxiety (State-Trait-Anxiety-Score [STAI Y-1]) were examined at each altitude with trait anxiety (STAI Y-2) at baseline.ResultsThe average age was 32.1 ± 8.3 years (67.5% men). STAI Y-1 scores fell from 848m to 3619m, before increasing to above baseline scores (848m) at ≥4072m (p = 0.01). STAI Y-1 scores correlated with LLS (r = 0.31; 0.24–0.3; P<0.0001) and AMS-C Scores (r = 0.29; 0.22–0.35; P<0.0001). There was significant main effect for sex (higher STAI Y-1 scores in women) and altitude with no sex-x-altitude interaction on STAI Y-1 Scores. Independent predictors of significant state anxiety included female sex, lower age, higher heart rate and increasing LLS and AMS-C scores (p<0.0001). A total of 38/80 subjects (47.5%) developed AMS which was mild in 20 (25%) and severe in 18 (22.5%). Baseline STAI Y-2 scores were an independent predictor of future severe AMS (B = 1.13; 1.009–1.28; p = 0.04; r2 = 0.23) and STAI Y-1 scores at HA independently predicted AMS and its severity.ConclusionTrait anxiety at low altitude was an independent predictor of future severe AMS development at HA. State anxiety at HA was independently associated with AMS and its severity.

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“…Factors influencing AMS include rapid ascent, dehydration, alcohol consumption, respiratory infections, and individual susceptibility 8 . Exposure to high altitudes, oxygen content, and environmental factors in high-altitude areas can also lead to anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and other emotional issues 9 – 11 , which can contribute to accidents and fatalities 12 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute mountain sickness predicts the emotional state of amateur mountaineers

Zeng,

Zhou,

2024

Sci Rep

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Research on amateur mountaineers is scarce, and this study aims to delve into the emotional experiences of ten amateur mountaineers during their ascent using the "Befindlichkeitsskala" (BFS) and Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness scoring system (LLS). These subjects were exposed to altitudes of 3140 m, 4300 m, and 5276 m, respectively. We found that LLS scores were negatively correlated with positive emotions (β = −27.54, p < 0.05) and positively correlated with negative emotions (β = 21.97, p < 0.05). At an altitude of 4300 m, individuals with AMS exhibited significant differences in depression, anger, excitement, and inactivity compared to climbers without AMS. Upon returning to 3140 m after completing the climb, significant differences were observed in emotions such as happiness, calmness, anger, excitement, and depression. Throughout the three-day climb, noteworthy differences emerged in activity, happiness, calmness, inactivity, positive emotions (p < 0.01), negative emotions, and overall emotional scores (p < 0.05). Our study suggests a decline in the emotional well-being of amateur climbers with increasing altitude, highlighting AMS as a pivotal predictive factor for emotional experiences while climbing.

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Mood changes at very high altitudes in Pakistan

Cited by 10 publications

References 14 publications

Going to Altitude with a Preexisting Psychiatric Condition

Going to Altitude with a Preexisting Psychiatric Condition

The relationship between anxiety and acute mountain sickness

Acute mountain sickness predicts the emotional state of amateur mountaineers

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