A recent study examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a group of 1,040 rescue workers who participated in the Wenchuan earthquake relief. The findings indicate that PTSD was diagnosed in 64% of the participants, primarily due to factors such as near-death experience, severe injury or mental trauma, and low social support.
A study found that naltrexone treatment reduced the percentage of days drinking among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence. The combination of prolonged exposure therapy and naltrexone did not increase drinking or alcohol craving, contradicting common views.
Patricia Resick, PhD, ABPP, received the American Psychological Association's Division of Trauma Psychology Award for Lifetime Achievement in trauma psychology. She has made outstanding contributions to science, practice, advocacy, and education, developing Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD treatment.
Terence M. Keane, a renowned expert on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has received the Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association. His work focuses on developing new therapies and treatments for PTSD, which affects approximately 7.7 million adults in the US.
Dr. Kim Huhman's research may lead to improved strategies for treating mental health problems associated with social stress. The study, supported by a federal grant, investigates how exposure to social stress causes changes in brain and behavior.
Research suggests that early-life stress exposure increases adulthood anxiety, hormonal stress responses, and a preference for comfort foods. These changes may be used as self-medication to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
A study by Concordia University researchers found that optimists tend to have more stable cortisol levels, indicating better regulation of stress. In contrast, pessimists struggle to control their stress response, especially during high-stress situations.
Researchers identified dynamic knee rotation and frontal plane angles as key risk factors for lower extremity stress fractures. Movement patterns targeting these aspects could help prevent stress fractures through injury prevention programs.
Researchers at University at Buffalo found that estrogen protects female stress resilience, but damages male working memory. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, suggests that estrogen hormone produced in the brain may be responsible for this difference.
A study published in CMAJ found that 13.5% of Canadian Forces personnel who served in support of the Afghanistan mission between 2001-08 had a mental health disorder related to their deployment. The most common disorders were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, with PTSD being found in 8% of personnel.
A new study has found that pre-existing insomnia symptoms in military service members prior to deployments may be at greater risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety upon return. The study also identified short sleep duration as a significant risk factor for new-onset PTSD symptoms.
A Penn Study found that sperm of stressed male mice had an impact on their offspring's brain development and stress response. Male and female offspring showed a reduced stress reaction, which can lead to mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
A new study found that patients with PTSD who have a less functional variant of the BDNF gene respond poorly to exposure therapy. The study suggests that BDNF levels modulate the therapeutic effects of treatments for mood and anxiety disorders.
A recent study found that survivors of intimate partner violence are not receiving adequate mental health services, with most experiencing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or depression. Despite having access to services, social stigmas, shame, and lack of information prevent many from seeking help.
A pioneering study demonstrates the benefit of MRI in identifying mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. The advanced imaging technique was able to correctly distinguish patients from healthy individuals with a high degree of accuracy, promising a new approach to diagnosis.
Case Western Reserve University researchers found that 52% of individuals with PTSD also report symptoms of depression. The study, published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, analyzed data from 57 peer-reviewed studies and concluded that both genders diagnosed with PTSD equally suffer from depression.
A study of 1,500 middle-aged women found that one in five experienced constant or frequent stress, leading to 40% reporting psychosomatic symptoms like muscle aches and joint pain. Single women and smokers were particularly vulnerable to stress, highlighting the need for preventive measures from society.
Researchers found that job stress is associated with an altered lipid profile, leading to higher rates of 'bad' cholesterol and lower levels of 'good' cholesterol. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 90,000 workers and found a significant link between job stress and dyslipidemia.
The Lancet Series on bipolar disorder offers a comprehensive overview of the condition, including its genetic basis, diagnostic challenges, and treatment limitations. The series highlights the need for more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatments, with neuroimaging research potentially transforming bipolar diagnosis.
The Cleveland Clinic study found that an Internet-based stress management program reduced stress for a sustainable period, comparable to face-to-face programs. Participants showed a significant decrease in perceived stress and improved emotional wellbeing after completing the eight-week online relaxation practice materials and meditati...
A study found that intranasal delivery of neuropeptide Y reduced anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and hyper-arousal in rats exposed to single prolonged stress. This provides proof-of-concept for potential non-invasive prophylactic treatment for PTSD.
New research by Daniela Kaufer and Elizabeth Kirby found that acute stress doubles the proliferation of new brain cells in the hippocampus, leading to improved mental performance two weeks later. The study suggests that moderate stress can help individuals perform better when alert, but excessive stress can be harmful.
The book reveals how science, socio-political, cultural, and biological factors have shaped our understanding of stress since the late nineteenth century. Professor Mark Jackson's work highlights the link between stress and disease, tracing it back to Hungarian scientist Hans Selye's theories.
A randomized study found that Transcendental Meditation (TM) significantly reduces posttraumatic stress symptoms in African refugees, with dramatic reductions observed after 30 days of practice. PCL scores improved dramatically, with the TM group reaching a non-symptomatic level and remaining low at 135 days.
A new study found that encouraging people to reframe their natural bodily signals as helpful during stressful speaking tasks can improve performance. The study used the Trier Social Stress Test and found that participants who were prepped about the benefits of stress weathered the trial better, with increased blood flow and fewer physi...
Stress circuits in the brain can self-tune following a single stress, preparing for subsequent challenges. Unique time windows exist after brief stress challenges, where learning is increased or decreased.
A systematic review of clinical interventions for adults exposed to traumatic events found only two psychotherapeutic treatments showing promise: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Collaborative Care. These treatments showed possible benefits in reducing PTSD symptoms, but more research is needed due to the limited evidence base.
A new study found that marital conflict in children can harm their stress response systems, leading to slower mental and intellectual development. Children who witnessed more conflict showed less adaptive responses to stress, particularly those with lower resting stress levels.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have demonstrated how acupuncture can significantly reduce the stress hormone response in an animal model of chronic stress. The study used rats and found that electronic acupuncture blocks the chronic, stress-induced elevations of the HPA axis hormones and the sympathetic NPY pathway.
Researchers identified specific steps in the sequence of neural events underlying stress-related drug relapse and showed that blocking kappa opioid receptors can prevent relapse. The study suggests a new approach to treating addiction recovery by targeting stress-induced brain mechanisms.
A study found that family-focused treatment improved mood symptoms in children and adolescents at risk for bipolar disorder, with significant benefits for those from high expressed emotion families. The treatment showed promise in stabilizing symptoms and improving long-term outcomes.
The Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS) app teaches Sailors and Marines to recognize their stress responses and manage them using biofeedback techniques. The app's field testing at the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control could help prevent PTSD in warfighters, saving billions of dollars in medical costs.
Researchers found that a protein synthesis blocker can significantly reduce fear and stress in rats after they experienced a mildly traumatic event. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that this approach could have clinical implications for treating posttraumatic stress disorder.
A pilot study found six compounds in the breath that increase following stressful mental arithmetic exercises, which may lead to a rapid stress detector. The study's findings are promising but need to be scaled-up with more people and settings before concrete conclusions can be made.
A multi-site clinical trial shows that Bright IDEAS problem-solving skills training reduces mothers' levels of anxiety and symptoms of posttraumatic stress after a child's cancer diagnosis. The training also improves overall coping with a child's illness, making things seem manageable for parents.
A recent study published in Science investigates the stress state on the fault that controls a very large slip during an earthquake. The research found that the present shear stress on the fault is nearly zero, indicating a nearly complete stress change during the earthquake.
A large population-based cohort study of 7,500 men in Sweden found that permanent stress increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. The study showed that men who reported permanent stress had a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with no or periodic stress.
A study found that traumatic brain injury complications, including cerebral vasospasm and intracranial hypertension, are prevalent among US combat soldiers. Researchers analyzed data from 122 patients with traumatic brain injuries and found that over 40% had high intracranial pressure.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that 68% of Ugandan humanitarian aid workers experienced symptoms of depression, while 53% had anxiety disorders and 26% posttraumatic stress disorder. The study suggests that organizational environment significantly influences mental health and wellbeing.
A new study by Wake Forest Baptist researchers found that emotional stress can reduce the effectiveness of prostate cancer therapies and accelerate tumor growth. Stress-induced activation of a cell signaling pathway may lead to a vicious cycle of stress and cancer progression.
Research finds heightened activity in brain circuits for negative emotions and reduced activation of emotion-suppressing circuits in borderline personality disorder, with reduced frontal brain activity unique to the condition. The study suggests improved emotion regulation skills may be normalized after successful treatment.
Researchers discover that cells under oxidative stress deposit oxidized glutathione in a cellular waste repository called the vacuole, protecting themselves from damage. This finding challenges previous assumptions about oxidative stress and its link to various diseases.
Patients with depressive disorders and borderline personality disorder have significantly higher unemployment rates than those without the condition. Persistent unemployment poses a significant public health burden, with 13.4% of patients missing up to two years or more from work.
A study by Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry found that genetic variants of the FKBP5 gene can influence epigenetic alterations caused by early trauma, leading to lifelong dysregulation of stress hormones. This can result in increased risk of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders in adulthood.
Only three percent of patients receive stress management counselling, highlighting the need for restructuring primary care delivery to include this crucial service as prevention. Stress management counseling is associated with longer office visits, underscoring the importance of providing this support earlier in the disease process.
A study of Danish soldiers found that childhood experiences of family violence and emotional problems predicted the onset of PTSD. The researchers suggest that social support and camaraderie during army life minimized mental health benefits for these soldiers, leading to increased symptoms after deployment.
Research from the University of Warwick suggests that stressed mothers during pregnancy can affect their baby's developing brain, making them more susceptible to bullying. The study of over 8,000 children found a link between prenatal stress and increased risk of childhood bullying.
A 10-minute stress reduction technique, called Tension Tamer, was tested on 334 patients in a heart health program. The study found that 65% of participants improved their perceived stress levels by an average of 6.6 points, while those who didn't improve showed worsened stress levels.
Researchers found that pregnant men experience increased stress levels during conflict discussions, depending on the level of hostility expressed by their partner. Women, on the other hand, show varying responses to relationship conflict, with some experiencing prolonged stress and others finding discussing difficult topics reassuring.
Researchers discovered two compounds, IC87201 and ZL006, that disrupt nitrous oxide production in the brain, reducing fear responses in rats. The findings suggest that disrupting this process may offer a means of preventing long-term post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
A large genetic replication study found compelling evidence that the chromosome 3p21.1 locus contains a common genetic risk for bipolar disorder, specifically the PBRM1 gene. This replication distinguishes the heritable risk for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, contrasting with previous studies.
Researchers found that women who read negative news had higher cortisol levels after a psychological stress test compared to men. Women also showed stronger emotional responses to the negative news they had viewed previously, suggesting a gender difference in how we react to negative news in the media.
Researchers have identified genetic variations in genes associated with bipolar disorder I and II, providing new insights into the complex biochemical pathway involved. The study found associations between variants in PDE10A, DISC1, and GNAS genes and an increased risk of developing the mental illness.
Researchers found that chronic stress predicts greater increases in body weight over time in both black and white girls. However, the negative effect of chronic stress on black girls' weight may explain racial disparities in obesity levels. The study suggests stress may play a role in the obesity epidemic and racial disparities.
A recent study by University of Notre Dame researcher Timothy Judge found that genes play a significant role in job stress and health problems. He studied nearly 600 twins and discovered that shared genes were about four times more important than shared environments in shaping personality, stress, and health outcomes.
A new study finds that prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with increased maternal stress, depression, and anxiety. Healthy coping mechanisms and partner support are crucial for pregnant women to deal with the emotional impact.
Research shows that nearly 20% of young children with cancer develop posttraumatic stress disorder, exhibiting symptoms such as flashbacks and anxiety. The study highlights the need for child-friendly treatment procedures and psychological support to prevent prolonged disorders that impair development.
A study by University of Zurich botanists and ecologists found that higher biodiversity aids stress resistance in ecosystems. Systems with more species can maintain biomass production longer under moderate stress, while those with few species are more negatively impacted as stress increases.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified a potential medical treatment for the cognitive effects of stress-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The experimental drug S107 prevented learning and memory deficits associated with stress-related disorders in a PTSD mouse model.
A new study suggests pregnancy could have a positive impact on bipolar disorder, with fewer and shorter episodes in pregnant women. The study's findings call for large, multicenter, prospective studies to better understand the natural course of the disorder.