A new study suggests that targeting a single brain region called the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) could lead to better outcomes for people with depression and anxiety. Over-activity in sgACC underlies several key symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, but an antidepressant only successfully treats some of the symptoms.
A new study found that COVID-19-related anxiety and stress are associated with negative body image, particularly thinner ideals for women and muscularity for men. This association may contribute to eating disorders, as body dissatisfaction can trigger serious mental health issues.
A UMD-led study finds that fear and anxiety reflect overlapping brain circuits, challenging long-held scientific accounts. The research suggests that both 'fear' and 'anxiety' are constructed in the brain using a massively overlapping set of neural building blocks.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University found that COVID-19 pandemic causes a significant increase in maternal anxiety and insomnia levels. Mothers reported mild-to-high levels of acute anxiety and up to 23% experienced clinical insomnia, more than doubling from pre-pandemic levels.
A German study found that only 2.6% of asylum seekers received a diagnosis for depression, while 1.4% received a diagnosis for anxiety disorder and 2.9% for PTSD symptoms. Many diagnosed individuals did not receive treatment, highlighting the need for urgent improvements in mental health care.
A University of California - Davis study found that oxytocin produced in a specific area of the brain can increase stress-induced social anxiety behaviors in mice. The researchers also discovered that this effect is stronger in females, which could help explain why social anxiety disorders are more common and severe in women.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a key protein called p11 that affects the brain's response to stress, potentially increasing the risk of depression. The study found that mice with low p11 levels react more strongly to stress and exhibit anxiety-like behavior.
A recent study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry has found no connection between Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and psychiatric problems in children. In contrast, children with IGD symptoms showed lower anxiety levels two years later, potentially due to social interactions or gaming as a distraction.
New research reveals that fear and anxiety are constructed from a shared set of core neural building blocks. The study's findings suggest that the brain regions long thought to be responsible for each emotion are actually equally sensitive to certain and uncertain threats.
A machine learning system has been developed that can predict the development of Bipolar Disorder up to 4 years before onset in young people. The system identified risk factors such as suicidal tendencies and financial problems, allowing doctors to take preventative measures.
A new study found that depression is associated with increased inflammation and metabolic changes, but not anxiety. The research used blood samples from over 300 people with depression and anxiety to identify biochemical markers, revealing distinct patterns of lipid metabolism and immune system involvement.
A central neural circuit in the forebrain to the hypothalamus mediates chronic stress-induced bone loss via the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. Isolation significantly increases anxiety levels, inducing bone loss in human subjects.
Research from Washington State University found that COVID-19 stress and anxiety can persist despite increased physical activity. The study of twins revealed no significant impact of exercise on handling stress and anxiety in the short term, suggesting other factors may be at play.
A recent study has found a significant link between thyroid inflammation and anxiety disorders. Patients with anxiety were found to have thyroid gland inflammation that could be reduced by taking ibuprofen, suggesting that thyroid function may play an important role in the development of anxiety.
A new study from Binghamton University found that children with social anxiety are more likely to develop depression, especially those whose mothers have a history of depression. The researchers suggest that the combination of these risk factors may be particularly insidious.
A study from the Danish psychiatry project iPSYCH identified genetic risk factors for developing bipolar disorder and psychoses among people with depression. The results may contribute to ensuring correct diagnosis is made earlier, leading to better treatment outcomes.
A University of Cincinnati-led study suggests that a specific selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may be beneficial in treating childhood anxiety disorders. The treatment showed promise in reducing anxiety symptoms in adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder.
A new study found a significant increase in Google searches for 'panic attack' and 'anxiety attack' during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team analyzed data from January 2004 to May 2020, revealing severe acute anxiety-related searches reached record highs, particularly between March 16-14, 2020.
A new study found that yoga significantly improved symptoms for those with generalized anxiety disorder, but not as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy. Yoga was more effective than stress management, with 54% of participants experiencing improved symptoms compared to 33% in the control group.
Researchers found that strong anxiety about outcomes from new products can enhance consequential adoption intentions and actual adoption, especially when combined with strong hope. This effect is due to action planning, which boosts perceived control over outcomes and leads to increased product satisfaction.
A study by Purdue University reveals that the primary role of PTSD service dogs is to disrupt episodes of anxiety, with trained tasks being used an average of 3.16 times per day. The dogs' trained behaviors, such as nudging or licking veterans to focus, were also reported to be highly important.
Researchers at the University of Trento mapped anxiety types differently in human brain, finding stable traits associated with negative thoughts and transient brain activity linked to state anxiety. The study aims to develop new diagnostic tools and treatments targeting chronic anxiety.
A study by Boston Medical Center found that 29% of private post-acute care facilities in Massachusetts explicitly discriminated against hospitalized individuals with opioid use disorder, rejecting their referral for admission. The rejections were often due to a substance use disorder diagnosis or treatment with buprenorphine or methadone.
A University of New Mexico research team has identified brain-wide neural correlates of the transition from fear to anxiety, shedding new light on the brain's response to fearful events and why some people don't easily recover. The study found that vulnerability to anxiety correlates with elevated activity in specific regions of the br...
Researchers study rituals as a mechanism of resilience against anxiety, finding that performing familiar rituals reduces psychological and physiological stress. This approach suggests that ritual provides the brain with a sense of control and structure, alleviating stress and potentially coping with chronic anxiety.
Researchers discovered a range of co-existing conditions in patients with fragile X syndrome and premutation disorder. Lower FMRP levels are associated with emotional processing issues, including mood disorders, anxiety, and psychotic features. The study calls for more research on psychosis and FMRP levels, as well as greater awareness...
The Women's Preventive Services Initiative recommends screening for anxiety in women and adolescent girls to detect specific types of anxiety and co-occurring conditions. Researchers found strong evidence that screening instruments are moderately to highly accurate.
A genomic region on chromosome 11 has been identified as associated with fearfulness in dogs, including large breeds like the Great Dane. The study's findings suggest that this region may play a role in both neural development and function, as well as anxiety.
Some common mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD might not be disorders at all but responses to adversity. Researchers suggest treating the underlying social causes rather than just the symptoms with medication. This approach could lead to more effective solutions for conditions like ADHD and depression.
IntelliCare, a free mobile app, significantly reduces anxiety and depression in individuals struggling with the pandemic. The app offers targeted content, exercises, and strategies to help users manage stress and improve mental health.
A randomized noninferiority clinical trial found that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for health anxiety had similar effects to traditional face-to-face treatment. The study involved 204 adults with health anxiety and showed that online therapy was effective despite limited therapist-patient interaction.
Research in marmosets suggests that increased levels of serotonin transporters in the amygdala may contribute to trait anxiety. Targeting this region with anti-anxiety medication, such as SSRIs, could provide faster symptom relief.
Long quarantine periods can lead to anxiety crisis, fear of contagion, and post-traumatic stress disorder in children. Experts advise speaking calmly, structuring their day, and dividing time into patterns and rhythms to help manage traumatic events.
Youth with chronic medical conditions are at a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders, affecting approximately 20-50% of young people. Anxiety disorders can also worsen disease-related outcomes in children and adolescents with these conditions.
A survey of U.S. primary care physicians found that nearly one-third do not view medication treatment for opioid use disorder as effective, despite strong research evidence and clinical guidelines emphasizing its life-saving benefits. The study also revealed low support for policies to remove prescription barriers and increase insuranc...
Research from Uppsala University finds individuals with social anxiety disorder exhibit distinct personality traits, including high neuroticism and introversion. The study identifies three clusters of personality subtypes, suggesting varying causes and treatment needs for the disorder.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have discovered a link between a specific immune system protein and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Treating mice with an antibody that neutralised the protein reduced anxiety levels, suggesting a potential new treatment for human patients.
A new treatment, SPACE, has been found to be as efficacious as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders. The study enrolled 124 children with existing clinical anxiety disorders and randomly assigned them to receive either SPACE or CBT.
A mindfulness app training program reduced physician anxiety by 57% and emotional exhaustion by 20%, suggesting its potential to treat burnout as well. The study's findings support the use of digital therapeutics like apps-based treatments for low-cost, widely disseminated interventions.
Separation anxiety in dogs is caused by four key forms of distress: getting away from something, wanting to get outside, reacting to external noises, and boredom. Understanding these root causes is crucial for effective treatment.
A study of 13,700 Finnish pet dogs found that 72.5% displayed anxiety-like traits or behavioral issues, including aggression and fearfulness. The most common anxiety traits were noise sensitivity and fear.
Adults with low fruit and vegetable consumption have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Body fat levels are also significantly linked, with total body fat increasing by 70% or more elevating the risk.
A new study by Salk researchers finds that altered potassium levels in neurons may contribute to mood swings in bipolar disorder. The study reveals two distinct types of neurons in people with bipolar disorder who respond to lithium and those who don't, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.
Scientists from Tokyo University of Science discovered that an opioid compound called KNT-127 can help mask fear memory, reducing anxiety in individuals with PTSD. The study suggests that combining KNT-127 with cognitive behavioral therapy may enhance treatment efficacy for anxiety disorders.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found a molecule produced by the brain that reduces anxiety-causing connections between two brain regions. This discovery could lead to pharmacologic treatments regulating anxiety and depressive symptoms in people with stress-related anxiety disorders.
A new study using VA Million Veteran Program data identified five locations on the human genome related to anxiety risk in Americans of European descent and one in African Americans. The findings could lead to new understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders, which affect 1 in 10 Americans.
A new University of Toronto study reveals that seven in ten Canadians with a history of generalized anxiety disorder are free from the condition, with 40% achieving excellent mental health. Social support and spiritual coping also play significant roles in recovery.
A Yale University study has identified six genetic variants linked to anxiety in approximately 200,000 military veterans. The research provides the first convincing molecular explanation for the coexistence of anxiety and depression, suggesting shared genetic risks.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that computer-based attention training reduced anxiety in 50% of participants. The treatment involved targeting neutral or threatening stimuli, leading to comparable reductions in anxiety. This promising result provides a potential aug...
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) reduces anxiety levels in patients with social anxiety disorder while increasing protective enzymes telomerase and glutathione peroxidase. This may protect cells against oxidative stress and cellular aging.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital develop a computational approach to study anxiety, uncovering over 209 genes with varying activity across anxiety categories. The study identifies new targets for drug development, including genes related to synaptic plasticity, hormones, and G-protein coupled receptors.
Researchers found that teenage girls with clinical levels of anxiety are twice as likely to engage in regular fasting and develop anorexia nervosa. The study suggests that anxiety may precede the onset of severe restrictive eating behaviors, making it a potential early indicator of eating disorders.
A recent study published in Cephalalgia highlights an overlooked relationship between migraine and exercise. Anxiety sensitivity is found to be associated with physical activity avoidance in women with probable migraine, particularly with vigorous intensity.
Researchers found that pre-operative depression and anxiety can lead to poorer outcomes after hip surgery, including increased pain and slower recoveries. The study proposes screening for mental health issues before hip surgery to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Yale University discovered that safety signals, such as symbols or sounds not associated with danger, can relieve anxiety. This approach differs from behavioral therapy and may be an effective way to augment current therapies for anxiety-related disorders.
A study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that adolescents who spent more time on social media, television, and computers experienced increased anxiety symptoms. Decreasing screen time was linked to reduced anxiety. The study suggests limiting screen time may be a way to help teens manage anxiety.
Researchers created manganite nanowires with controlled quenched disorder, revealing enhanced magnetoresistance. Quenched disorder plays a significant role in complex oxide systems.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine finds that yoga can improve symptoms of clinical depression and major depressive disorder. Both short-term and long-term yoga sessions show significant improvements in sleep quality, tranquility, positivity, and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
A study published by Aalto University found that mothers with high pregnancy-related anxiety gave birth to babies who had reduced brain responses to sad-sounding speech. The effect was more pronounced in mid-pregnancy, suggesting a potential link between maternal anxiety and infant emotional development.
Children and teens with abnormal heart rhythms are at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A study found that over 20% of kids with arrhythmias had been prescribed medication for these conditions, compared to 5% of children with sickle cell disease.