A new study by Boston University researchers found that women veterans who participated in a peer support program experienced improved mental health outcomes, including reduced PTSD and depression. The program also boosted their sense of belonging and quality of life.
A study from Tohoku University reveals that astrocytic manipulation affects the fate of long-term memory, with acidifying astrocytes preventing memories from being remembered and alkalinizing astrocytes preserving them. The findings suggest a parallel process of short-term and long-term memory formation.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that a special protocol of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve the condition of PTSD sufferers, reducing typical symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, and irritability. The study showed improvements in brain connectivity and clinical symptoms, offering new hope for millions of PTSD suff...
Researchers are analyzing survey and administrative data from over 58,000 military personnel to examine the impact of cumulative psychosocial stress on cardiovascular health. The study aims to identify specific stressors that contribute to heart disease disparities among racial and ethnic groups.
A recent study found that 85% of veterans who used psychedelics reported benefiting from the experience, with many seeking mental health care or returning to VA services. The survey also identified factors that lower the likelihood of negative outcomes, such as being older and using psilocybin.
Research found that mothers' ability to mediate threatening situations and regulate their emotions can significantly reduce the link between maternal PTSD symptoms and child PTSD symptoms. Mothers with high self-regulation skills may be better able to separate their stress response from that of their children, providing them with a sen...
Researchers found that fear memories start as broad associative memories, but become more specific over time. Individuals with high anxiety may struggle with integrating episodic memories, leading to persistent fear linked to cues.
A new 10-question screening tool can identify patients at high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety two months after emergency care. The Hospital Mental Health Risk Screen has been shown to correctly predict mental health diagnoses in 79% of patients.
A new study found that cognitive psychological factors, such as how children remember and perceive traumatic events, are the strongest predictors of poor mental health outcomes. The research team developed four predictive models of risk factors for PTSD, Complex PTSD, depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
The latest APA journal issues explore schizophrenia spectrum disorders, PTSD treatment, and college mental health. Research highlights include new approaches to psychosis treatment and findings on mental health in higher education.
A study found increased menstrual irregularities in women living in areas affected by the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. Risk factors included post-traumatic stress symptoms, chronic diseases, and smoking.
Researchers found that emotion enhances ability to retrieve contextual details, contrary to prevailing view that emotion impairs memory. The study's findings have practical implications for controlling and capitalizing on emotions to remember better.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a specific brain circuit that may protect against post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans with traumatic brain injury. The study suggests using neurostimulation therapies on this circuit could treat PTSD, offering a new potential non-invasive treatment option.
Scientists analyzed millions of tweets to detect early warning signs of PTSD in COVID-19 survivors, achieving an accuracy rate of 83.29%. The study highlights the potential for machine learning techniques to identify individuals at risk of PTSD through social media data.
The Mount Sinai Health System has expanded its psychedelic psychotherapy research center with a new facility in upper Manhattan. The Center will support rigorous clinical trials for well-known compounds like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine, which have shown potential in alleviating symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other stress...
A new study led by Uppsala University researchers found that a single treatment session playing the video game Tetris can reduce PTSD symptoms. After five weeks and six months, participants showed significant improvements in reducing intrusive memories and alleviating other symptoms.
A recent survey found that Norwegian Afghanistan veterans are struggling with mental health issues, including PTSD and problematic anger. Anger problems among veterans have received little attention internationally, but the study highlights the need for a holistic approach to treating these issues.
A new study finds that women with probable PTSD have almost two-fold odds of early menopause and related health consequences. Researchers analyzed data from over 2,000 Gulf War female military personnel and found a significant association between PTSD and early menopause.
A new study reveals that Latinx immigrant adults are extorted an average of $804 during their journey to the US southern border. The most common perpetrators were police officers and immigration officials. Experts say extortion should be considered an extreme stressor, which can inform mental health treatment for newly arrived immigrants.
A new study suggests that psychedelics like psilocybin can suppress learned fear responses in individuals with PTSD by altering activity in the amygdala, a key brain region involved in processing fear and anxiety. The findings propose that psychedelic drugs enhance inhibitory signaling from GABAergic interneurons onto excitatory neurons.
A study found that ketamine clinics have inconsistent policies on pregnancy-related safeguards, including inadequate warning systems and contraception prescription. This is concerning given the potential harm of ketamine to developing fetuses.
Research suggests that diagnostic labels for people experiencing mild mental health issues can increase empathy and support, but also undermine perceived agency and expectations of overcoming problems. This study found varying responses depending on the disorder, with some conditions eliciting high empathy and accommodation support.
A cohort study found elevated depression and anxiety levels in unvaccinated people with COVID-19 diagnosis compared to before or without the virus. Vaccination was associated with lower incidence of mental illnesses after hospitalization for COVID-19.
A cohort study found that PTSD is a modifiable risk factor for a modest reduction in microvascular complications in veterans with comorbid PTSD and type 2 diabetes. The study suggests further research is needed to confirm findings in non-Veterans Health Administration settings.
A recent study reviewed current research and methods used to support Australian military veterans' psychological, physical, and social well-being, highlighting the need for holistic and tailored programs. The researchers emphasize the importance of addressing social, organizational, and environmental factors alongside mental health con...
Researchers found that reactivating therapeutically-altered memories during sleep leads to more brain activity related to memory processing, associated with a reduction in PTSD symptoms. Targeted memory reactivation (TMR) also reduced the inclination to avoid traumatic memories in patients.
A new study reveals that law enforcement officers experience a high prevalence of head injuries and related mental health symptoms, including PTSD and depressive symptoms. The survey found that 74% of officers reported a lifetime history of one or more head injuries.
The latest issues of American Psychiatric Association journals feature new research on PTSD, phobias, and psychiatric vulnerabilities. A special issue on eating disorders is also highlighted in the August issue of Psychiatric Services.
A recent study found that individuals with high individual resources and exposure to more greenspace were more likely to experience low or no PTSD symptoms over time. Greenspace was also associated with greater neural reactivity in the amygdala, a region involved in detecting rewarding cues.
A survey of 5,991 participants found presumptive PTSD to be prevalent long after mass violence incidents, emphasizing the need for comprehensive screening efforts. The study suggests that MVIs have persistent impacts on communities, particularly those with prior exposure to trauma.
Physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic were at higher risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Targeted interventions are needed to support physician well-being during traumatic events.
Researchers found specific gene variants associated with behavioral health outcomes after a stroke. The study suggests that genetic differences may predict stroke recovery trajectory, enabling personalized medicine approaches for individualized treatment.
Salk researchers created tools to study neuropeptides, finding they control the brain's fear response in mice. Neuropeptides are released during a mild stimulus, triggering fear behaviors, which can be reduced by silencing their release.
Autistic children exhibited significant post-traumatic stress symptoms within 30 days of the attack, with parents experiencing higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The study highlights the urgent need for specialized mental health services for these families.
A UTEP study found that employed veterans experience lower levels of depression, stress, and higher positive emotion compared to unemployed veterans. Employment is a critical public health intervention that enhances emotional well-being and quality of life for veterans with disabilities.
Researchers identify 'migration stigma' as a destructive force linking immigration responses to physical and mental health. This concept pulls together phenomena like politicization of immigration and considers its influence on immigrants' health, highlighting the need for interventions to reduce stigma.
Neuroscientists have identified a region of the brain that regulates escape behavior in mice, revealing its role in anxiety and PTSD. The study found that inhibitory neurons can be turned up or down to control sensitivity to threats.
A new study found that a fatigue-management program improved sleep duration and reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among Seattle police officers. The training also lowered rates of falling asleep while driving.
A study led by UCLA Health found that emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) significantly reduces chronic pain among older adults compared to cognitive behavioral therapy. EAET helps patients confront and release traumatic emotions, leading to a clinically significant reduction in pain symptoms.
Researchers from Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions found that traumatic life events do impact the perception of trauma-related imagery. Viewers' personal history of adversity and trauma was associated with stronger reactions to images depicting injury/trauma.
A nonrandomized controlled trial found that psychiatric service dogs partnered with usual care significantly reduced PTSD symptom severity and improved psychosocial functioning in veterans. This study suggests that psychiatric service dogs may be an effective complementary intervention for military service-related PTSD.
A study by researchers at the University of Arizona found that veterans paired with service dogs for three months had significantly lower self-reported PTSD symptom severity, anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. They also experienced a 66% lower odds of receiving a PTSD diagnosis.
US college student mental health challenges rose with a notable increase in PTSD and acute stress disorder diagnoses. Factors contributing to this rise include pandemic-related stressors and traumatic events.
A Wayne State University team, led by Dr. Arash Javanbakht, will study augmented reality-enhanced exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The technology aims to provide immersive real-life environments for patients to practice comfort and interaction with diverse characters.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin discovered distinct molecular differences in brains of people with PTSD and depression compared to neurotypical controls. The study's findings may lead to novel therapeutics and biomarkers.
A comprehensive study by McLean Hospital researchers reveals both shared and unique molecular changes across brain regions, genomic layers, cell types, and blood in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The findings provide potential avenues for novel therapeutics and biomarkers.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that the UK's asylum process is damaging to the mental health of displaced people. The research highlights the need for community activities and employment opportunities to improve their wellbeing, rather than relying on antidepressants.
Researchers found that exercise increased neuron growth in the hippocampus, rewiring neural circuits to help mice forget strong, traumatic memories. This approach may offer new treatments for PTSD and drug addiction.
A recent study has revealed that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to an overactivation of the prefrontal cortex. The researchers found that core autism traits worsen when traumatic memories are formed, highlighting a potential predisposition to PTSD in ASD.
Research from ANU and UQ found that people on the autism spectrum are predisposed to PTSD, with mild stress triggering traumatic memories. The study pinpointed brain mechanisms responsible for this occurrence, shedding light on hypersensitivity to stress.
A massive genetic study of over 1.2 million people has pinpointed 95 loci associated with PTSD risk, including 80 previously unknown locations. The study also identified 43 genes that appear to contribute to the development of PTSD, providing new targets for prevention and treatment strategies.
A study found that trauma-exposed individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience swift emotional transitions between neutral and negative states. Therapeutic approaches to moderate these transitions may help alleviate PTSD symptoms. The research suggests a potential new treatment direction for this condition.
A recent study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that individuals remaining in Ukraine during the ongoing war are more likely to experience anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than refugees. Exposure to blasts and loss of community, housing, and economic resources contribute to these mental health issues.
Researchers developed an AI model to analyze short narrative statements from postpartum patients, identifying a large proportion likely to have childbirth-related PTSD. The model's accuracy was demonstrated through analysis of narratives from patients who tested high for symptoms on a questionnaire.
A new AI model can accurately screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in postpartum women, offering a potential solution for early intervention and preventing progression of the disorder. The study collected narrative accounts from 1,295 women and showed the model's superiority in identifying PTSD cases.
A new study reveals a significant rise in mental health problems among Ukrainian children and adolescents displaced by the war. Key findings include a one-third of child population experiencing clinically relevant anxiety, traumatic stress, depression, conduct behavior, and ADHD.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals that nearly half of Las Vegas concertgoers who survived the 2017 mass shooting experienced major depressive episodes within the past year. The study also found that over 63% of survivors reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the same time period.
A trio of studies show increased diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in pregnant and new mothers with private insurance, but disparities persist. The findings suggest that policy changes and increased awareness have contributed to the rise in diagnoses and treatments.
Researchers teach two dogs to recognize the scent of trauma reactions on human breath, achieving 90% accuracy in discriminating between stressed and non-stressed samples. The study suggests that dogs may be able to detect stress VOCs linked to PTSD symptoms, potentially allowing them to interrupt episodes at an earlier stage.
A Bar-Ilan University study found that older adult Israelis showed remarkable resilience during the conflict, with lower rates of acute stress and PTSD symptoms compared to younger adults. The study suggests that life experience, emotional regulation capabilities, and coping mechanisms played a significant role in this resilience.