A new study suggests that reading supportive comments from online friends prior to taking a test can help college students with high levels of test-anxiety reduce their nervousness. Undergraduate students who received social support from their online friends reduced their anxiety levels by 21%, performing as well on a set of computer p...
Researchers found that poor sleep in people with depression and anxiety can make it harder for the brain to modify negative emotional responses. The study used functional MRI to measure brain activity in a specific region, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, which was found to work harder in individuals with lower sleep efficiency.
Researchers found that healthy college students with smaller inferior frontal cortex tend to experience more anxiety and display a stronger negative bias. The study suggests that larger IFC volume confers resilience against negative bias through lower levels of trait anxiety.
A Vanderbilt study found that increasing the supply of a natural chemical called 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the brain promotes resilience to acute stress exposure. The study suggests that boosting this signaling system could represent a new treatment approach for mood and anxiety disorders, including PTSD.
A pilot study conducted by Thomas Jefferson University found that a virtual environment education program significantly reduced anxiety and increased comprehension in patients receiving radiation therapy. The program used simulated environments to teach patients about their treatment, resulting in improved confidence and satisfaction.
Research suggests that medications that boost natural brain opioids might be more effective in reducing anxiety than traditional 'receptor-binding' opioid drugs. The study found that these natural opioids play a crucial role in regulating neural circuits involved in fear and anxiety responses.
A pilot study of guanfacine, an alpha2-agonist, found the drug safe and well-tolerated in pediatric patients with anxiety disorder. The study suggests potential effectiveness and opens doors to further clinical testing.
A telephone-delivered collaborative care program improved health-related quality of life and anxiety symptoms in primary care patients compared to usual care. The intervention also produced significant improvements in mood symptoms, with African-Americans and men reporting the greatest levels of improvement.
Researchers from the University of Würzburg discovered four variants of the GLRB gene associated with anxiety and panic disorders, triggering an
A new study by researchers at King's College London found that genetic factors play a significant role in anxiety related to spatial and mathematical tasks. The study identified several forms of anxiety, including general, mathematics, and spatial anxiety, with non-shared environments contributing to differences between individuals.
TSRI researchers found that overactive CRF signaling in the amygdala produces a range of effects that override anandamide's stress-reducing capabilities, turning chronic stress into unchecked anxiety. Inhibiting FAAH could blunt CRF's effects and reduce signs of anxiety.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found nearly one-quarter of hospice caregivers experience moderate to severe depression and nearly one-third experience moderate to severe anxiety. Younger caregivers are more likely to be depressed or anxious.
A new study reveals that successful treatment of social anxiety disorder alters key brain structures involved in processing and regulating emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a central therapy for social anxiety disorder, has been shown to restore balance between cortical and subcortical brain areas.
Research reveals that parents of children with critical congenital heart defects are at high risk for mental health problems, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The study found that up to 30% of these parents experience symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD.
A study found that brain connectivity patterns in newborns can predict the development of anxiety and depression. Healthy full-term babies had similar brain connection patterns to adults, while premature infants showed decreased connections between the amygdala and other brain regions, increasing the risk of early symptoms.
Researchers found early predictors of anxiety and depression in newborn brains, with decreased connections between the amygdala and other regions increasing the risk of early symptoms. The study suggests that brain connections may be responsible for the development of problems later in life.
A new study reveals that anxiety in postmenopausal women is associated with increased severity of physical symptoms like hot flashes and sleep disruption. The study found a significant link between anxiety and urogenital symptoms, highlighting the importance of screening for anxiety to improve quality of life.
Finnish researchers have identified a new molecule that alleviates anxiety and depressive behavior in rodents by controlling newly born nerve cells in the hippocampus. The discovery provides a fresh insight into how the brain regulates mood and indicates potential for new anti-depressant drug development.
New research suggests postpartum depression and anxiety have distinct neural activity patterns compared to major depression. Women with PPD often experience less amygdala activation, while postpartum anxiety is estimated to be just as prevalent but receives less attention.
A NIH-sponsored clinical trial found that mindfulness meditation combats anxiety by reducing stress-hormone and inflammatory responses. Participants who took a mindfulness course showed big drops in these markers, whereas those in the control group experienced worsened responses.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that lung cancer patients experiencing anxiety and depression have a significantly shorter length of survival. The research, conducted by the University of British Columbia and BC Cancer Agency, controlled for various factors to confirm this link.
A novel mechanism has been identified for how stress-induced anxiety affects the brain's hippocampus, leading to increased anxiety behavior. The study found that stress impairs the release of an anti-anxiety neuropeptide, which could lead to new therapeutic targets.
The Friendship Bench program has shown significant results in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms among participants. After six weekly therapy sessions, patients who received problem-solving therapy on the benches had fewer symptoms of depression (14%) compared to those in a control group (50%). The program has the potential to im...
A recent study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics shows that cognitive therapy on its own has a much better effect over the long term than just drugs or a combination of the two. Nearly 85% of patients improved or became healthy using only cognitive therapy.
A new method devised by Drexel University professor Connor Kerns to diagnose anxiety symptoms in children with autism has been proven effective. The Autism Spectrum Addendum (ASA) adds new questions to the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule - Child/Parent, helping determine behaviors related to autism versus anxiety.
Research highlights the complex etiology of psychiatric polypharmacy, which can increase the risk of adverse effects and mortality. However, certain populations may benefit from combination therapy, emphasizing the need for tailored prescribing strategies to improve treatment efficacy.
A recent study published in JAACAP found that obesity among adolescents with bipolar disorder is associated with increased illness severity, including more suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalizations. However, the study also found that overweight adolescents with bipolar disorder are not more common than their peers.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that psilocybin significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with life-threatening cancer. The treatment showed enduring effects for up to six months, offering a potential new model for treating psychiatric conditions.
Researchers found that increased sensitivity to uncertain threat is a common trait among anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. This finding could lead to more impactful and efficient treatment approaches by targeting shared neurobiological characteristics.
A new cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) resource has been developed to manage children's dental anxiety. The study found a significant reduction in dental anxiety and an increase in health-related quality of life among children who used the guided self-help CBT resource.
A new study reveals that Latinos, particularly those who are Spanish-speaking, experience higher levels of preoperative anxiety compared to Caucasian patients. These patients also express a greater desire for detailed information about their surgery, including specifics about anesthesia and post-surgical care.
A study of 522 children found that those born to parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder scored higher on a behavior checklist and were at increased risk for anxiety, ADHD, and neurocognitive problems. The children also came from families with lower social status and more adverse life events.
Girls with ADHD are at higher risk for multiple mental disorders, including anxiety (37.7%), depression (10.3%), and oppositional defiant disorder (42%). Effective treatments, such as therapy and positive reinforcement, can help manage symptoms and prevent severe adult impairments.
A study by Georgia State University researchers found that yoga can reduce worry, the main symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The findings suggest that yoga has promise in helping people with this condition reduce their symptoms and improve quality of life.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital reveals that specific neurons in the hypothalamus play a central role in triggering anxiety. Blocking these neurons selectively erased natural fears in mice, suggesting a potential more effective treatment for anxiety and other psychiatric disorders.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who engage in high levels of physical activity are less likely to develop anxiety or depression, with a 15% reduced risk. Mental disorders are common in COPD patients, affecting approximately 40% of the population.
A new research study has found a connection between chronic pain and anxiety disorders, with increased PACAP expression contributing to symptoms. Blocking this regulator could lead to a new approach in treating chronic pain and stress-related behavioral disorders.
A follow-up study finds that bipolar adolescents are at higher risk for substance use disorder and smoking five years later. The presence of conduct disorder, particularly when combined with bipolar symptoms, significantly increases this risk.
A new study found that iPads are as effective as sedatives in reducing child anxiety before surgery. The use of tablets also improved parental satisfaction and the quality of anaesthesia induction. Researchers concluded that non-pharmacologic tools like iPads can reduce perioperative stress without sedative effects.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine have mapped a serotonin-driven anxiety circuit that worsens fear and anxiety in SSRI patients. A new compound blocks this pathway, potentially eliminating the side effect.
A new study from Ohio State University found that patients who experience anxiety after a kidney transplant are more likely to be readmitted within 30 days. The research suggests that standardized post-transplant care and training caregivers to convey empathy can reduce anxiety and prevent readmissions.
A study found a distinct brain-to-gut pathway where psychological symptoms begin first, while another pathway links gut symptoms to mental health. Higher anxiety and depression levels predicted IBS development within a year.
Researchers found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy increases activity in brain regions controlling emotional processing, leading to reduced anxiety in youth at risk of bipolar disorder. The study's pilot trial showed significant improvements in clinician-rated and youth-rated anxiety following 12 weeks of treatment.
A six-fold increase in diagnosed sleep disorders among US veterans has been reported, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experiencing the largest rate increases. The study found that veterans with cardiovascular disease or other chronic conditions also experienced higher rates of sleep disorder diagnoses.
A study found that palliative care-led informational and emotional support meetings did not reduce anxiety or depression symptoms among family members of patients with chronic critical illness. However, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington found a significant genetic link between low attention control in early adolescence and four distinct anxiety symptoms. Low attention control is also linked to increased risk of depression, drug dependence, suicidal behavior, and educational underachievement.
A global review of systematic reviews found that people under 35, particularly women, are disproportionately affected by anxiety disorders. The study also highlighted the importance of understanding how common these disorders are and which groups are at greatest risk, especially those with chronic health conditions.
Researchers at McLean Hospital discovered that individuals with bipolar disorder have altered somatostatin expression in the brain's amygdala, which regulates anxiety and stress response. This altered circadian function is linked to severity of depression and anxiety symptoms, providing potential neural correlates for circadian rhythm ...
A study found that patients who listened to relaxing music before cataracts surgery experienced significantly reduced anxiety and required less sedation. Music-induced relaxation lasts for approximately 60 minutes after the music stops, making it a potential non-pharmacological method to reduce pre-operative anxiety.
Researchers at Concordia University have discovered a more effective way to treat anxiety disorders by incorporating safety behaviors into therapy. The study found that patients who used new safety behaviors during exposure therapy had better outcomes than those who relied on traditional safety behaviors.
A randomized controlled trial found online computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) to be an effective treatment for anxiety and depression. The study, led by the University of Pittsburgh, showed that CCBT programs can provide significant improvements in mood and anxiety symptoms, even when used alone or in combination with int...
A national survey of over 34,000 adults found that individuals with bipolar disorder are equally likely to develop anxiety as depression after experiencing an episode of mania. This study may lead to a broader clinical definition of bipolar disorder that includes episodes of mania along with anxiety or depression.
A study of international data reveals that girls are more anxious about mathematics and STEM subjects compared to boys, with factors other than performance driving the difference. The research also found that parental views on the value of mathematics for daughters and sons do not explain the gap in anxiety levels.
Researchers found that flies exhibit anxiety-like behaviors in response to heat stress, solitary confinement, and Valium treatment. The study identifies several new genes related to anxiety behavior in flies, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of anxiety.
Researchers found that integrating motivational interviewing (MI) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improves long-term patient improvement rates for severe generalized anxiety disorder. MI helps patients address ambivalence and resistance, leading to better outcomes over a one-year follow-up period.
Researchers at UNC discovered that kappa opioid receptors inhibit the release of neurotransmitter glutamate in a brain region regulating emotion, leading to increased anxiety. The study found that activating KORs suppresses an anxiety-reducing pathway, making them potential targets for treating anxiety disorders.
A recent study found that 2.5% of adults experienced marijuana use disorder in the past year, with 6.3% having met the diagnostic criteria at some point in their lives. Only 7% of those with past-year disorder received any treatment.
A study of the Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey found that child abuse experiences accounted for 28.7% of the burden of illness, while Afghanistan-related deployments contributed 8.7%. Child abuse was linked to various mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder.
Research reveals that people with anxiety have a hard time distinguishing between emotionally charged experiences and neutral stimuli, exhibiting a behavioral phenomenon known as over-generalization.
Researchers found a strong association between asthma symptoms and stress levels in teens, with waking up in the middle of the night and shortness of breath being key indicators. The study's lead author suggests that managing asthma is crucial for reducing stress and anxiety in young patients.