A UBC researcher has developed a two-question screening test to identify anxious kindergarten children, showing 85% effectiveness in predicting future anxiety disorders. The test asks parents about shyness and worrying in their children, and can help intervene early to prevent mental health issues.
A new study finds that mothers of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are more critical than parents of other children, which can lead to poorer treatment outcomes. The research suggests that parental criticism is not a characteristic of the parent in general, but rather a specific response to their child's anxiety.
The study explores the relationship between distress tolerance, excessive worry, and anxiety symptoms in college students. Researchers found that distress tolerance plays a unique role in excessive worry, suggesting it could be a useful intervention in therapy.
A new study found that anxious individuals can detect negative odors more accurately due to heightened sensory perception, leading to increased anxiety responses.
A Stanford imaging study found that children with math anxiety show increased activity in fear centers and decreased activity in problem-solving regions of the brain. This suggests that math-specific fear interferes with the brain's information-processing capacity and ability to reason through math problems.
Men with anxiety traits experience higher post-operative pain ratings and longer hospital stays. Women report higher pain levels and are less satisfied with pain control following total knee replacement surgery.
A new study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics found that regular exercise can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Women who underwent six weeks of strength or aerobic exercise training experienced remission rates higher than those in a control group.
A new study found that individuals with mood and anxiety disorders are more likely to abuse opioids. Non-medical prescription opioid use was associated with an increased risk of developing any mood disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and all anxiety disorders. Early identification and treatment of mood and anxiety di...
Research finds that women experiencing post-partum psychiatric episodes within the first 30 days are at a higher risk of developing bipolar affective disorder. The study also suggests that the severity and type of initial episode may be important factors in predicting conversion to bipolar disorder.
Researchers have identified two new drugs that may be effective in treating bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by mood swings between mania and depression. The drugs target the NKA enzyme and ERK protein, which are abnormally active in people with bipolar disorder.
Researchers found a strong connection between math success and activity in brain areas involved in controlling attention and regulating negative emotional reactions. Students who could focus their attention were able to complete difficult math problems more successfully.
A systemic review found atypical antipsychotics like aripiprazole, olanzapine, and risperidone to be effective for behavioral symptoms in dementia and generalized anxiety disorder. However, evidence did not support their use for substance abuse or eating disorders, highlighting the need for cautious prescribing.
A small clinical trial suggests that cognitive bias modification (CBM) may be as effective as in-person therapy or drugs in treating social anxiety disorder. Participants showed significant improvements on a standardized measure of anxiety and public speaking task after completing two exercises twice a week for four weeks.
Bipolar disorder affects 3% of the general population, with significant functional limitations and high rates of psychiatric hospitalization in children and adolescents. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar I disorder in adolescents include mania, euphoria, and irritability, while mixed episodes are common in this age group.
A University of Virginia study found that intense light enhances fear or anxiety in mice, while dimmer light reduces it. The researchers discovered that the visual pathway responsible for this behavior is in the rods and cones, which can be used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
A study published in JAMA Network found that women who experience gender-based violence have a higher lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders, including anxiety, mood disorder, and substance use disorder. The researchers also found that the association is particularly strong for exposure to multiple forms of GBV.
People with bipolar disorder experience excessive positive emotions, even in neutral situations, which can lead to reckless behavior and relationship problems. This persistent positivity may serve as an early warning sign for relapse.
Researchers from Oxford University found that training tasks can shift how healthy teenagers think about social events, promoting more positive interpretations. The approach, called cognitive bias modification of interpretations, has the potential to change negative thoughts that drive anxiety in teenagers with high anxiety levels.
A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity exhibited reduced anxiety reactivity when engaging in high levels of physical activity. Regular exercise was shown to be an effective alternative or complementary strategy to traditional treatments for depression and anxiety problems.
A new clinical research study is comparing the effectiveness of two medications, quetiapine and lithium, in treating bipolar disorder. The study, funded by a $10 million grant from AHRQ, aims to improve long-term treatment for patients with bipolar disorder.
Researchers at Indiana University suggest that postural control problems may be a core feature of bipolar disorder, affecting areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. The study found that participants with bipolar disorder displayed increased postural sway, particularly when eyes were closed.
A study suggests that animal-assisted therapy can decrease patient anxiety in the pre-MRI setting, potentially reducing the need for anti-anxiety medications. The research, conducted at Monmouth Medical Center, involved 28 patients who interacted with a certified therapy dog before undergoing MRI scans.
A new study from Rhode Island Hospital researchers shows that obese individuals with social anxiety related only to their weight may experience anxiety as severe as those with social anxiety disorder. The findings suggest that excluding obesity-related social anxiety from SAD diagnosis may hinder identification of the disorder.
Researchers found that four microRNAs (miR-22, miR-138-2, miR-148a, and miR-488) are associated with panic disorder, regulating genes related to anxiety pathways in the brain. The study suggests a coordinated involvement of multiple risk genes, implying the existence of molecular 'switches' that control gene function.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a novel brain circuit that produces the opposite effect of anxiety, counteracting it instead. The discovery was made using optogenetics technology and found that stimulating this circuit enhances animals' willingness to take risks.
A new study uses optogenetics to precisely identify neural circuits responsible for anxiety, identifying two key pathways in the amygdala region that promote or alleviate anxiety. This breakthrough brings psychiatric professionals closer to understanding anxiety disorders.
Researchers found that African Americans experiencing racial discrimination had higher odds of developing generalized anxiety disorder, while Afro-Caribbeans did not. Non-Hispanic whites also showed an association between non-racial discrimination and GAD.
A new study reveals a previously unrecognized susceptibility factor for bipolar disorder, with genetic variation in the neurocan (NCAN) gene associated with an increased risk. The findings suggest that NCAN variants may disturb neuronal processes in patients with bipolar disorder, leading to cognitive deficits.
A mega-analysis of brain imaging data found that individuals with bipolar disorder who took lithium had increased hippocampal and amygdala volumes compared to those not taking the medication. Lithium treatment also restored cerebral volume reductions associated with longer illness duration.
A Canadian psychological scientist team found improvements in brain activity after group cognitive behavior therapy for patients with social anxiety disorder. The study used EEGs and found that changes in brain electrical interactions paralleled clinicians' and patients' reports of easing symptoms.
A study published in Neuron reveals that individual differences in amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex function are independently associated with anxiety vulnerability. High trait anxiety individuals show enhanced amygdala response and faster fear acquisition, while vmPFC recruitment is linked to reduced fear responses in fear-...
Children with severe congenital heart defects are twice as likely to experience anxiety at 18 months old compared to healthy peers. The research, conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, also found that maternal anxiety and depression contribute to these emotional problems.
A brain scan can predict which children with anxiety disorder will respond to talk therapy, potentially avoiding psychiatric medication. The study found that children who show fear when looking at happy faces on a screen have the least success with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Yoga has a positive effect on mood and anxiety due to increased GABA levels, according to a study. Higher GABA activity is associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety, suggesting a new link between yoga and its benefits.
Researchers found that smokers with anxiety disorders were less likely to quit smoking, even when using nicotine lozenges and patches. Anxiety diagnoses were common among study participants, with over a third meeting criteria for at least one anxiety diagnosis.
Research suggests that patients with high anxiety sensitivity, who are frightened by bodily sensations and symptoms associated with anxiety, may experience improved cardiac outcomes when treated with rhythm control strategy. This approach appears to be important for these patients, particularly those with congestive heart failure.
A study by Prof. David Eilam and his team found that group members display the same level of anxiety when exposed to a common threat, regardless of individual differences. This result has implications for helping clinicians better treat victims of trauma or terror, such as in the case of the 9/11 attacks.
A systematic review of research on herbal supplements for anxiety found strong evidence for extracts of passionflower, kava, and combinations of L-lysine and L-arginine. The study pooled results from 24 studies involving over 2,000 participants.
Adults with congenital heart disease are more likely to suffer from heart-focused anxiety if their parents were overprotective during childhood and adolescence. Health professionals can encourage greater independence for adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease to improve psychosocial adjustment.
Researchers found that psilocybin improved mood and reduced anxiety in advanced-stage cancer patients, with benefits lasting up to six months. The study provides new hope for alleviating psychiatric symptoms in patients who often do not respond well to conventional treatments.
A pilot study suggests psilocybin, a hallucinogen, is safe and effective in improving mood and reducing anxiety in patients with advanced-stage cancer. The treatment resulted in improved anxiety scores and a depression inventory revealed an improvement of mood that began two weeks after treatment.
A recent study published in Archives of Dermatology found that individuals with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, and suicidality. The study estimated that there are over 10,400 cases of depression, 7,100 cases of anxiety, and 350 cases of suicidality related to psoriasis each year.
Research finds that anxiety disorders in heart patients are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events and death. A study of 1,015 outpatients with stable coronary heart disease found that those with generalized anxiety disorder had a 74% increased risk of cardiovascular events.
A meta-analysis of 34 studies involving 3962 patients found that brief cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), counseling, and problem-solving therapy (PST) were equally effective in treating depression and mixed anxiety. The study suggests that brief psychological therapies can be an effective treatment for routine delivery in primary care.
A recent study found that anxiety/panic disorder is the most disabling psychiatric condition associated with Tourette syndrome (TS), contributing significantly to psychosocial and occupational disabilities. The study identified motor tics as a primary factor in disability, especially in adults whose tics persist into adulthood.
Researchers at the University of Granada identified different effects of nervous disposition and anxious moments on attention processes. The study found that high trait anxiety values resulted in deficient attentional performance, while high state anxiety led to overfunctioning of alerting and orienting networks.
A flexible treatment intervention that combines cognitive behavior therapy, medication, and computer-assisted support significantly improved anxiety symptoms and functional disability in patients with common anxiety disorders. The study found a 63.66% response rate and 51.49% remission rate compared to usual care.
A Saint Louis University doctor found no evidence supporting the use of natural treatments like St. John's wort for anxiety, instead recommending selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a safe and effective first-line treatment option.
Mental health providers should prescribe exercise more often to treat depression and anxiety. Researchers found that regular exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, stress, and anger. Exercise can fill the gap for those who can't access traditional therapies due to cost or stigma.
A new study from Rhode Island Hospital has found that a widely-used screening tool for bipolar disorder may incorrectly identify borderline personality disorder. The research team tested the accuracy of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and found that it misidentified patients with borderline personality disorder, leading to potent...
A subset of adults with Social Anxiety Disorder exhibit aggressive, risky behaviors, causing short-term positive experiences but long-term negative impacts on quality of life. Understanding the underlying causes of these actions can help psychologists develop more effective interventions.
A new study found that regular family mealtimes can help reduce separation anxiety and improve lung function in children with asthma. The researchers identified supportive interaction during mealtime as a key practice that increases a child's sense of security.
A new questionnaire and outcomes measurement scale, CUXOS, has been developed to measure anxiety outcomes reliably. The scale is brief, easy to score, and correlates highly with clinician severity ratings.
A randomized trial found that massage eased anxiety symptoms, similar to psychotherapy or medications, but not more effective than simple relaxation. The benefits of massage may be due to a generalized relaxation response.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that LGB individuals living in states with same-sex marriage bans experienced significant increases in mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorders. The prevalence of any psychiatric disorder also increased among heterosexual respondents, ...
A new University of Georgia study found that regular exercise significantly reduces anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic medical conditions. On average, patients who exercised regularly reported a 20 percent reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to those who did not exercise.
People with generalized anxiety disorder have abnormalities in brain emotion regulation, affecting response to negative stimuli. This study's findings may lead to more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options.
A new study found that women with medium or low income levels are more susceptible to anxiety and depression after being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Women with financial hardship may benefit from psychosocial interventions designed to accommodate their unique needs.
Research at the University of Chicago found that female teachers' math anxiety negatively impacts girls' math achievement, causing them to endorse stereotypes that boys are good at math. This can lead to lower math scores and decreased confidence in learning mathematics.
A new online treatment system using biofeedback therapy and web technologies aims to improve patient care for individuals suffering from panic disorder. The system, developed by researchers in Taiwan, has shown promising results in reducing panic attacks and improving symptoms.