“Why Is It So Hot In Here?”

Level of Concern: Moderate

Similar but different and slightly more concerning than the “I’m cold” condition. With the “I’m hot” condition, your girlfriend's body will heat up and cause a resonating heat shield. The burning feeling will emanate from her core. Your significant other will be hot to the touch and make others uncomfortable around her (especially in the sleeping environment). This will impact sleep, and if confined in a small space with others, such as a small kitchen while cooking, it could lead to sudden outbursts of irritation. Another symptom is, rhetorical questioning or under-the-breath murmuring of why or how she ended up in this tiny space, which is a metaphor for her current life. Unfortunately, you can only remove so many pieces of clothing. The cause for the heat burst or internal ignition is widely discussed and debated.

Immediate Action:

Unless otherwise told, evacuating her immediate space is optimal. This will keep you out of sight and, hopefully, out of mind as she attempts to pinpoint where things went wrong. The only thing to do in this instance is to wait out the heat wave. Although the event will appear frightening and sometimes with no end in sight, you must trust the process. The “I’m hot” condition will pass as suddenly as it appeared, and your significant other will carry on as if nothing happened. While you may be confused by the onset and how quickly it vanishes, it is best to NEVER speak of the condition, as rarely there may be flare-ups which reignite the condition. Continue on as if the event never happened.

Foresight:

Unfortunately, this condition has no pre-planning abilities; however, leaning on the lessons learned above and removing yourself from her immediate setting can save you from catching the verbal heat, which can be emotionally devastating.

Note: If others are in the area during an episode, it is important to encourage them to follow your lead. Clearing her immediate space can save you and others from hearing the gasps, sighs, and muffled disparaging remarks spurred on by this unpredictable condition.