Bengaluru: The city’s deteriorating air quality is starting to impact residents in ways beyond just physical health. Doctors have noted an increasing number of individuals reporting anxiety, sleep issues, fatigue, and stress. This suggests a growing mental health concern associated with sustained exposure to polluted air.“Air pollution in the city has a clear and measurable effect on the mental well-being of residents,” said Sunil Maria Benedict, a psychologist at Hosmat Hospitals in Kalyan Nagar. “When pollution levels rise, we see a corresponding increase in mental health difficulties. Periods of sustained high AQI (Air Quality Index) correlate with higher incidences of anxiety disorders, depressive symptoms, stress-related conditions, and cognitive complaints, particularly among vulnerable groups.”
What happens in the brain? According to Dr Swapna Bondade, consultant psychiatrist at Apollo Clinic in HSR Layout, air pollutants can induce neuroinflammation — inflammation of the nervous system — and oxidative stress. “This means the body accumulates toxic forms of oxygen in response to pollutants. These substances are harmful to both the body and the brain and can damage cells over time. In the short term, these effects may manifest as fatigue, anxiety, or brain fog.”Individuals who ride two-wheelers often report unusual tiredness or difficulty concentrating on high-pollution days. “We can’t generalise that everyone will experience these symptoms, but sensitive individuals are more likely to feel the effects,” the doctor added.Experts also emphasise that the mental health impact of pollution extends beyond physiological changes. “Persistent pollution alerts, reduced outdoor activity, and fear of health consequences create a chronically stressful environment,” said Dr Girishchandra BG, medical director and senior consultant at Maarga Mind Care. He explained that children face restricted play and social interaction, older adults reduce physical activity due to breathlessness, and working professionals report decline in productivity and emotional exhaustion. “Over time, these disruptions contribute to social isolation, learned helplessness, and increased health anxiety,” he observed.For individuals with existing mental health conditions, air pollution can act as a trigger, according to Dr Girishchandra. “Patients with panic disorder may experience more breathlessness-related episodes; those suffering from depression may find their moods worsening; individuals with psychotic or neurocognitive disorders may exhibit greater behavioural and cognitive impairment. These patterns highlight pollution as a modifiable environmental stressor that must be considered in mental health assessment and treatment planning.“Rise of climate anxiety Doctors are also beginning to see signs of climate anxiety — a persistent fear about environmental degradation and future of the planet — particularly among younger individuals. “Climate anxiety is a relatively new phenomenon,” Dr Bondade noted. “Some young people harbour deep concerns about the Earth’s future. One individual even told me she didn’t want children, fearing they would inherit a polluted world. While not yet widespread, it is becoming more common among the environmentally conscious.“
