Researchers found that higher levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in pregnant women were associated with increased anxiety scores in their children at age 12. The study suggests that exposure to flame retardants during early brain development may be a risk factor for developing anxiety symptoms in early adolescence.
A recent study found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was as effective as the gold-standard antidepressant drug escitalopram in reducing anxiety symptoms. MBSR showed a significant 30% drop in anxiety severity, similar to escitalopram.
Recent studies have shed light on the biological mechanisms that connect sleep and anxiety, highlighting the importance of sleep in regulating stress responses. Research has shown that inadequate sleep can lead to increased anxiety and stress, while also exacerbating mental distress.
A recent study analyzing over 93,000 cases reveals a direct link between childhood trauma and the risk of developing a mental disorder in adulthood. The study highlights the importance of treating psychological trauma in patients and investing in prevention programs to reduce the risk of suffering a mental disorder.
A new study by the University of Waterloo found that individuals with anxiety disorders are not more hesitant to get vaccinated than those without. Instead, discomfort with uncertainty is a significant predictor of vaccine hesitancy in both anxious and non-anxious individuals.
A study found that wearing green eyeglasses reduces pain-related anxiety and decreases opioid use in fibromyalgia patients. The treatment uses specially formulated lenses to filter specific wavelengths of green light, which stimulates pathways in the brain to manage pain.
Researchers found a healthy diet and avoiding stressful news helped prevent anxiety and depression during the pandemic. Engaging in physical exercise, staying outdoors, and drinking water also showed protective effects on mental health.
A study in 28 countries found that young people's climate anxiety can motivate pro-environmental actions, with Finland showing the strongest connection. In Finland, anxiety is linked to environmental activism and influencing others' attitudes.
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation about screening children under 7. Anxiety disorders are common in childhood and adolescence, associated with increased risk of future anxiety or depression. A 2018-2019 survey found 7.8% of children ages 3-17 had a current anxiety disorder
A new study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that targeted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly lessens food allergy-related anxiety for both children and parents. The treatment included proximity exposure sessions with the patient, resulting in improved symptoms and quality of life.
A new study shows the first-of-its-kind program led to significant declines in anxiety for those with food allergies and improvements in quality of life. The Food Allergy Bravery (FAB) program provides individualized, cognitive behavioral treatment that encourages children to take small steps towards facing allergen-related fears.
A new UCLA study has found that anxiety specific to pregnancy and childbirth is associated with shorter gestation times and earlier births. Screening for depression in pregnancy and postpartum is now common, but adding an evaluation for anxiety could identify women who need interventions for healthier pregnancies and babies.
Women with anxiety about their pregnancies give birth earlier on average than those without anxiety. Doctors should screen for general anxiety early in pregnancy to prevent preterm birth.
Researchers found that children prenatally exposed to Superstorm Sandy had substantially increased risks for depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorders. Male children had elevated risks for attention deficit and disruptive behavioral disorders, while female children had elevated risks for anxiety disorders.
Researchers at Linköping University discovered a biological mechanism that increases the strength of fear memories stored in the brain. This finding provides new knowledge on the mechanisms behind anxiety-related disorders and identifies shared mechanisms with alcohol dependence.
A six-country European survey found that people with diabetes living in Italy and the UK, women, and those younger than 45 have the highest prevalence of anxiety. The study also suggests a link between blood sugar management and anxiety severity.
A new study suggests that climate anxiety is a significant driver of climate action, particularly among younger people and those with higher generalized anxiety. Media exposure, rather than direct experiences, predicts climate anxiety, which can motivate individuals to make environmentally friendly lifestyle changes.
A pilot study by Orygen found that cannabidiol reduced anxiety severity and impairment in young people with treatment-resistant anxiety by 42.6%. The treatment was well-tolerated, with mild side effects such as sedation and fatigue, and showed promise for a significant number of young people affected by anxiety.
Offspring with a same-sex parent having an anxiety disorder are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder themselves. Environmental factors may play a role in the transmission of anxiety from parents to children.
Researchers analyzed data from 599 patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and found that 34% have attempted suicide, with high rates of suicidal ideation, planning, and self-injury among women. The study highlights the need for accurate diagnosis and screening of suicidal ideation in patients with PMDD.
A new preliminary study from the US suggests that aromatherapy can reduce post-surgical opioid use by half in patients with anxiety before their operation. The study found that levels of anxiety, depression, and catastrophising were reduced in the aromatherapy group, resulting in lower opioid consumption.
A new study published by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology shows that COVID-19 has increased anxiety and asthma symptoms among adults with asthma, while reducing food allergy-specific anxiety for parents of children with food allergies.
A new UCI study identifies a single brain pathway centered around dopamine cells responsible for cocaine withdrawal-induced anxiety and relapse-related behavior. The findings offer a potential target for therapeutic interventions to prevent relapse among drug users.
Researchers at Ohio University investigated the differences between purging disorder and bulimia nervosa, finding that while both conditions involve self-induced vomiting, purging disorder is characterized by a lack of binge eating episodes. The study suggests that purging disorder requires specific treatments that target its unique sy...
Chronic pain causes maladaptive emotional states and is often comorbid with psychiatric disorders. Researchers identified the neuronal circuit involved in chronic pain-induced anxiety in mice, finding that restoring its activity attenuates anxiety.
A new University of Michigan study found that most adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms continue to struggle with addiction into adulthood. The study's lead author warns that prescribing controlled substances to individuals with multiple substance use disorder symptoms poses safety concerns.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 46,158 participants shows a sharp rise in depression and anxiety levels following the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown. The prevalence of diagnosed depression increased from 4% to 32%, while anxiety diagnoses rose from 5% to 31%. Experts are calling for greater evidence-base...
A new study published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders found that individuals with multiple sclerosis experienced increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research suggests that pandemic-related stress may exacerbate mental health issues in MS patients.
A recent study revealed the importance of Cav3.1-driven burst firing in the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei in controlling anxiety-like behavior and energy expenditure following chronic stress. Enhanced burst firing was correlated with increased anxiety-like behavior, reduced food intake, and decreased energy expenditure.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that medical marijuana users were more likely to develop cannabis use disorder (CUD) than expected, particularly those seeking relief from anxiety and depression. The study suggests that the current system of dispensing and using medical marijuana may be contributing to this issue.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have identified a key pathway in the brain that underpins anxiety and fear behaviors. The discovery provides a novel target for developing better treatments for anxiety disorders, which affect an estimated 264-million people worldwide.
A study of 12 million children found a moderate association between strabismus and anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder. The findings suggest that children with crossed eyes may be at higher risk for developing these mental health conditions.
A new study found that music and auditory beat stimulation can significantly reduce state anxiety in people with moderate trait anxiety. The treatment was more effective than music alone or pink noise for reducing somatic anxiety, while music alone was more effective for reducing cognitive state anxiety.
A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B found that female informal caregivers who provide intensive care at home experienced higher levels of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those caring for a loved one within the home reported more depressive symptoms and anxiety compared to those caring ...
A new, touch-based device has been developed to ease anxiety in students by mechanically simulating breathing. The 'breathing' cushion was found to be equally effective at reducing anxiety as guided meditation in a study of 129 volunteers.
Researchers found that loneliness is driven by different brain states than social anxiety, with distinct neural activity patterns. People with social anxiety showed increased amygdala activation and reduced nucleus accumbens activation, while those with high loneliness did not display these patterns.
A study by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers found that autistic children have distinct amygdala changes, with larger volumes associated with traditional anxiety and smaller volumes linked to autism-distinct anxieties. The study used brain scans of 71 autistic and 55 non-autistic children between ages 2-12.
A Canadian study found that the pandemic-related risk factors for anxiety differ between men and women, with 13.6% of Canadians experiencing clinically significant levels of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Men's high anxiety was linked to exposure to COVID-19 misinformation, while women's anxiety was tied to precarious employment.
A new study from Oregon State University found that people with disabilities have been experiencing high levels of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social isolation was a major predictor for both conditions, exacerbated by limited access to healthcare, including delayed or canceled medical appointments.
Women with GAD exhibit abnormal interoception, perceiving intense heartbeats and lower neural activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The study suggests a causal link between cardiovascular sensitivity and frontal cortex insensitivity, contributing to anxiety symptoms.
A study found a link between ASMR and higher levels of neuroticism and anxiety. Those who experience ASMR reported reduced anxiety after watching an ASMR video, suggesting it could be a suitable intervention for anxious individuals.
A study found that sleep and biological rhythm variables are associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in women during the peripartum period. Changes in circadian quotient, nighttime activity, and rest fragmentation were linked to higher depressive and anxiety symptoms.
The study found that psychotropic drug use was associated with a higher risk of premature death in cardiac patients, particularly those with anxiety. Nearly 1 in 3 cardiac patients had symptoms of anxiety, and the use of these medications was twice as high among anxious patients.
A recent study found that consuming traditional forms of media, such as books and music, has negligible effect on anxiety and happiness levels in adults. However, engaging with newer types of media, like social media and video games, was linked to lower happiness and higher anxiety levels.
Researchers found that Botox-treated patients reported anxiety significantly less often than those undergoing different treatments for similar conditions. The data used was from the FDA's Adverse Effect Reporting System and showed a 22-72% lower risk of anxiety for four out of eight conditions and injection sites.
A new study found that children and adolescents with persistent high levels of anxiety are more likely to develop psychosis in their early 20s. Treating early anxiety by targeting stress hormones and non-resolving inflammation during childhood and teenage years could help prevent young adults from developing psychosis.
A study of 2,657 young adults found that those with eating disorders and self-harm experienced increased symptoms of depression and anxiety during the pandemic. Lifestyle changes showed little effect on mental health problems in this group.
A third of first-year university students experience moderate to severe depression or anxiety. Socializing and getting involved in student clubs is associated with a lower risk of developing symptoms and improving recovery rates. In contrast, increasing drug use heightens the risk of mental health issues.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that adults with ADHD are four times more likely to experience generalized anxiety disorder. Factors associated with GAD among those with ADHD include being female, having a lower income, and a history of major depressive disorder.
A fully remote randomized controlled trial found that a smartphone app called CORE reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and improved recovery in people with serious mental illness. The app provided daily game-like exercises to help users reassess their beliefs and adopt healthier thought patterns.
Studies using virtual reality environments revealed that individuals with anxiety disorders exhibited increased brain activity in response to perceived threats, even in safe areas. The findings highlight the need for personalized treatments that help patients regain control over their body.
A study led by University of Gothenburg researchers found that both moderate and strenuous exercise significantly alleviate symptoms of anxiety in patients with the disorder. Exercise intensity was also found to impact improvement, with higher intensity exercising resulting in greater symptom reduction.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that individuals focused on their appearance are more prone to social physique anxiety, which leads to fear of negative evaluations and social distress in dating contexts. The research involved 501 young adults and discovered associations between body image attitudes and dating anxiety.
A new study found that around 1 in 4 medical doctors experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression during the pandemic, with female doctors and younger doctors more likely to be affected. The study also found a correlation between perceptions of workplace safety and mental health.
A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that 75% of new first-year college students experience some level of pet separation anxiety, with one in four reporting moderate to severe symptoms. Students who treated their pets like people were more likely to experience high levels of anxiety.
Research found that individuals with higher anxiety levels have altered perceptions of their breathing, reduced sensitivity to changes, and altered brain activity. This can lead to a negative cycle of emotions, creating even more anxiety. The study aims to improve treatment strategies by understanding how body perception affects anxiety.
A Michigan Medicine study found that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are associated with significantly higher rates of first-time cesarean deliveries among low-risk pregnant women. The study suggests that identifying and treating these disorders in pregnant women may help reduce the risk of cesarean section deliveries.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that virtual job interviews during COVID-19 increased anxiety in candidates, leading to reduced performance. Organizations can improve candidate experience and fairness by designing platforms that minimize anxiety, suggests lead researcher Julie McCarthy.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a stark increase in major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders worldwide, affecting 246 million cases globally in 2020. Women were disproportionately impacted, accounting for over 35 million additional cases, while younger people were also more severely affected.
Researchers at the University of Otago have identified a brain signal that can improve diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders. The 'theta' rhythm in the right frontal lobe was found to be associated with specific types of anxiety disorders, offering new insights into their causes and potential treatments.