Virtual reality may help patients with cancer experience less pain and anxiety in the short term, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The research found that VR was associated with reduced pain and anxiety in patients, with effects being more consistent among pediatric patients.
A new study from Adelaide University found that most people experience worsening depression and anxiety symptoms when reducing antidepressant use, likely due to withdrawal effects. The study suggests that a slower tapering process is needed when ceasing or reducing dosage to avoid these symptoms.
A randomized controlled trial shows that an internet-based Master Your Worries programme significantly reduces anxiety symptoms and improves functional ability in children, even after two years. The study found the positive effects of therapy to be greatest among children with more severe symptoms.
Researchers analyzed UK Biobank data and found that night-active individuals had higher risks of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders compared to daytime-active individuals. An early-morning-active phenotype was associated with lower MDD risk, while higher physical activity at certain times was linked to adverse outcomes.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that C1 neurons in mice modulate fear and anxiety, with prolonged activation leading to heightened anxiety. Inhibition of these neurons reduced anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting they may be a valuable therapeutic target for anxiety disorders.
Intrinsic disorder in CuInSnS₄ influences its optical properties, with excitons showing direction-dependent responses. The discovery sheds light on the relationship between disorder and material properties.
A new Canadian study reveals that social anxiety disorder now affects nearly 1 in 7 adults, up from 8% in 2002. Young people are most at risk, and early life experiences, such as childhood trauma, and lack of social support play a significant role.
A large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified 74 genetic loci associated with anxiety symptoms, providing new insight into the biological pathways involved. The study found that common genetic variation explains around 6% of differences in anxiety symptom severity.
A recent study found that shorter sleep duration is associated with increased perinatal anxiety and obsessive beliefs. Mothers who experience disturbed sleep tend to have higher levels of anxiety, particularly those with lower coping ability. The study suggests prioritizing mom's sleep may benefit her mental health.
A five-minute session of proximal intercessory prayer significantly reduced pain and anxiety in primary care patients compared to a music control group. The study suggests that in-person intercessory prayer may offer a practical complement to conventional care for underserved populations.
A new study finds that individuals with later sleep schedules report poorer mental health, higher general loneliness, and greater nocturnal loneliness. Nighttime loneliness is a key pathway connecting later sleep patterns to anxiety.
A UK study found that middle-aged and older adults with higher autistic traits are more likely to report worsening anxiety as they age. Researchers identified three distinct groups based on their anxiety responses over eight years, highlighting the importance of early identification and tailored support for this vulnerable minority.
Patients who received five minutes of in-person prayer experienced greater relief from both pain and anxiety compared to those who listened to music. The study found significant improvements in pain reduction at two weeks, with black participants showing larger improvements.
Researchers found that patients who received five minutes of Christian in-person prayer reported greater relief from both pain and anxiety compared to those who listened to music. Additionally, black participants showed larger improvements in both pain and anxiety than other participants.
Researchers discover specific calcium signals in microglia that regulate anxiety and grooming behaviors, offering new opportunities for therapies and diagnosis. Mice lacking the Hoxb8 gene are susceptible to extreme anxiety and pathological overgrooming.
Research at Nagoya University suggests that individuals with higher autistic traits use labeling as a way to cope with uncertainty, reducing emotional stress. The study found a link between autistic traits and lower anxiety levels when people are able to put their feelings into words.
A new study found that mental health clinicians prefer evolutionary explanations of anxiety over genetic approaches, believing they provide a more positive outlook and can improve patient willingness to seek help. This shift could lead to more hopeful and therapeutically empowering attitudes towards anxiety treatment.
A new study from Center for BrainHealth researchers found that declining slow-wave activity during sleep explains why anxiety rises in older adults. Participants who generated fewer slow waves woke up more anxious the next morning, while those with stronger slow-wave sleep did not show the same pattern.
Researchers identify calcium as a key chemical signal that triggers immune cells during obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-related behaviors. This discovery establishes a new framework to study how anxiety arises and persists through calcium signals in microglia, potentially leading to targeted therapies.
The BD² Integrated Network Longitudinal Cohort Study combines clinical, biological, neuroimaging, and real-world behavioral data to transform understanding of bipolar disorder. The release includes data from 615 participants, covering mood, cognition, brain structure, wearable sensor data, and biological samples.
A study of nearly 700,000 health records reveals that young people with cannabis use disorder are more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, recurrent major depression, and anxiety disorders. In contrast, adults with cannabis use disorder are less likely to develop these conditions.
A recent study published in Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics has identified a link between high sugary drink consumption and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. The research team found consistent associations between energy-dense but nutrient-poor drinks and increased anxiety rates.
A study published in Progress in Neurobiology found that synthetic oxytocin carbetocin can prevent anxiety-related behaviors in laboratory rats exposed to social stress. The researchers observed that carbetocin had a preventive effect on anxiety without having direct anxiolytic effects.
A massive genome-wide association study identified 58 genetic variants associated with increased anxiety risk, pointing to 66 genes involved in stress response. The study also found strong genetic overlap with depression, neuroticism, and PTSD, underscoring the shared biology behind emotional distress.
A new study by University of Arkansas researchers found that social media can help reduce anxiety in young adults with high openness to experience, extraversion, agreeableness, and low conscientiousness. The study showed strong associations between emotional support on social media and reduced anxiety symptoms, especially among females.
The study found that mania accounts for more than 80% of the genetic variation in bipolar disorder. The researchers identified 71 genetic variants linked specifically to mania, including 18 regions of genes that had never previously been associated with bipolar disorder.
A UH psychologist's study finds that anxiety sensitivity and pain-related anxiety are linked to mental health problems and clinically significant alcohol use among survivors of traumatic sexual assault. The investigation highlights the importance of addressing both types of anxiety in reducing the risk of lifelong challenges.
A new study by University College London researchers found that women and people with anxiety are prone to two distinct types of underconfidence. Women initially show underconfidence but confidence grows as time elapses, while those with anxiety become less confident with more reflection.
An observational study of 168 second-time mothers found that breastfeeding for at least 12 months was associated with a lower risk of depression and anxiety later in life. The longer women breastfed, the greater the protective effect against depression and anxiety.
A Bar-Ilan University study reveals that individuals with social anxiety may feel better when they believe others' opinions are fixed rather than changeable. Adopting a fixed mindset reduced stress and improved performance in social interactions.
Researchers found that lab mice rewilded for two years showed reduced and even reversed fear response to the elevated plus maze. The study suggests that a range of experiences can increase a sense of agency, reducing anxiety in animals and humans alike. After living in fields, mice returned to their original levels of anxiety behavior.
Research found that anxiety symptoms reduce circulatory NK cells and sub-populations, while insomnia symptoms decrease total NK cells. This could lead to impaired immune function and increased disease susceptibility.
Researchers found that a protein involved in ATP release, connexin 43, plays a key role in depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors. Restoring connexin 43 in the hippocampus improved behavioral outcomes and boosted ATP levels in stressed mice.
Researchers have identified two groups of brain cells in mice that regulate anxiety - a 'gas pedal' that accelerates anxiety and a 'brake pedal' that prevents it. The discovery could lead to the development of new therapies for anxiety disorders by targeting these microglia.
A new study found that people with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder have lower levels of choline in their brains. Choline is vital for cell membranes and brain functions like memory, mood regulation, and muscle control.
A new study reveals that 11.2% of Norwegians experience reduced capacity for work due to work-related anxiety. Experts stress the importance of a supportive culture at work, including psychological support from managers and colleagues, job security, and a safe working environment.
A systematic review by ECU and US universities reveals cognitive-based interventions as the most effective in managing perinatal anxiety, depression, and stress, while counselling-based interventions show moderate impact on anxiety and quality of life. Occupational therapy can help women transition to new roles, providing strategies fo...
The BD² Discovery Research program awards $18 million to researchers exploring the neural circuitry of bipolar disorder. This funding enables the development of innovative treatment approaches and accelerates better care for those living with the condition.
A USC Dornsife study found that combining two types of brain scans improves predictions of future anxiety in teens, shedding light on how the adolescent brain responds to mistakes and identifying at-risk youth sooner. The research may eventually lead to earlier, more personalized mental health interventions.
A systematic review suggests that hormone therapy may help alleviate anxiety symptoms in midlife women, particularly those taking oral estrogen, but with varying degrees of benefit. The study's findings have implications for clinicians in individualizing treatment plans for patients with menopause-related anxiety.
A new study has identified a leptin-sensitive brain circuit in the lateral hypothalamus that helps animals overcome anxiety to perform essential behaviors such as eating, exploring, and limiting maladaptive hyperactivity. Boosting the activity of these neurons can restore adaptive choices even under conditions that cause anxiety.
Researchers have created a new brain-scanning method that can visualize anxiety patterns in the brain, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatments. The study used EEG to measure brain activity during 'no-win' decision scenarios linked to anxiety.
A study of 90 teenage girls found that those who avoided looking at potentially negative feedback during speeches reported the most anxiety three years later. The research challenges prevailing wisdom in the field and suggests that adolescent girls may be more sensitive to social feedback, contributing to the onset of anxiety disorders.
A new analysis found that virtual reality effectively reduced anxiety during coronary angiography and had more stable vital signs than standard care. VR was superior to standard care in reducing anxiety and associated with significantly lower changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
A new study found that low-risk chest pain patients frequently experience severe anxiety and other treatable comorbidities, such as depression and somatization. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and prescription medications are effective in managing these conditions, improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary ED visits.
A recent study from the University of Portsmouth found that young adults who prefer to stay up late are more prone to developing problematic technology use, such as smartphone and social media addiction. The researchers identified loneliness and anxiety as primary contributors to this association.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that both mothers and fathers influence their children's social confidence, but in different ways. More warmth and affection from both parents were linked to fewer social anxiety symptoms, while rejection and coldness increased anxiety levels. Parents should balance setting age-appropria...
A new study from the University of Chicago found that children experience less anxiety when reading aloud to a robot than to a human adult. The robot's calming influence helped children feel more comfortable making mistakes, creating a more encouraging environment for building their reading skills. While there were no substantial diffe...
A new preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine suggests that inflammation during pregnancy may prime offspring for anxiety. The researchers discovered that adversity in the womb configured a small percentage of brain cells to be overly active when faced with a threatening situation, creating a vulnerability to anxiety.
Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD²) has announced a fourth round of Discovery Research funding for bipolar disorder. The program aims to support groundbreaking research into the genetic, molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral mechanisms of the disorder.
Research published in BMJ Mental Health found a strong association between the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders and an increased risk of dementia. The study analyzed data from 3688 patients with one or more psychiatric disorders, finding that those with four or more disorders were 11 times as likely to develop dementia.
First-year university students with overly cautious parents experience increased anxiety when faced with stressful situations. The study found that overprotective parenting can lead to insecure attachment and poorer emotion regulation, making individuals more vulnerable to anxiety.
A single dose of MM120 (lysergide) produced a dose-dependent reduction in anxiety in participants with moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder. The study supports the efficacy of MM120 and informs dose selection for phase 3 pivotal trials.
A new analysis suggests that young people with weaker connections between brain areas involved in anxiety are more likely to benefit from a self-guided anxiety care app. The study found that the app reduced anxiety symptoms for many patients, particularly those with weaker neural connections.
Researchers investigate how anxiety emerges and changes over the course of Parkinson's Disease, exploring its relationship to autonomic symptoms and brain regions like the amygdala. They aim to understand how functional changes in these areas may relate to behaviors.
A recent study found that adolescents using e-cigarettes or conventional tobacco products report higher symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to non-users. The study analyzed data from the U.S. National Youth Tobacco Survey on over 60,000 middle and high school students.
A new study found that climate anxiety in the US is associated with being younger, female, and feeling personally affected by climate change. Climate anxiety was also linked to increased media exposure, discussion frequency, and engagement in environmental behaviors.
The BD² Integrated Network, a collaborative research model, aims to improve care and outcomes for people with bipolar disorder. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute will receive $2.3 million to join the network, accelerating recruitment and advancing discovery.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that anxiety diagnoses became the most common in Pennsylvania's medical cannabis program after being added, dropping chronic pain and PTSD diagnoses. The team analyzed data from 1,730,600 certifications issued from November 2017 to December 2023.
Digital apps based on cognitive behavioural therapy may provide positive short-term effects for people with GAD, including reduced symptoms and improved quality of life. However, the long-term benefits and potential risks of app use are still unknown.