Articles tagged with Psychosomatic Disorders
A new study from Linköping University has identified common steps and turning points in patients' stories, contributing to new ways of understanding and rehabilitating conditions like post-COVID-19 condition, exhaustion disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Participants described seeking knowledge outside the healthcare system and fi...
Researchers discovered that brief intermittent intense exercise is a more effective treatment for panic disorder than relaxation therapy. The 12-week program showed significant reductions in Panic and Agoraphobia Scale scores, anxiety, depression, and panic attack frequency and severity.
A study of over 500 survivors found severe psychological trauma with somatic symptoms persisting decades after the attack. The results highlight the need for culturally sensitive mental health services, compensation, and ongoing care for chemical attack survivors.
The article highlights the mismatch between psychedelics and economic drug development principles. Pharmaceutical companies are developing short-acting compounds and neuroplastogens to engineer trips out of the experience altogether. Dr. Sandy Hager's research suggests investors should remain cautious due to weak intellectual property ...
A new study from Edith Cowan University found that recreational athletes often experience disordered eating and exercise behaviors despite perceiving themselves as healthy and fit. Only 26% reported being satisfied with their body weight and shape, highlighting the gap between physical health and body image.
Dr. Nicholas Fabiano's research reveals exercise reduces suicide attempts but shows no connection to thoughts of suicide or deaths by suicide. His work proposes a paradigm shift in mental health treatment, suggesting exercise as a first-line treatment for depression.
Researchers at Kyoto University analyzed queries on Yahoo! Chiebukuro and found that users were seeking information on overdosing from OTCs to alleviate physical pain or experience psychosomatic changes. The study highlights the need for reliable information on OTC abuse to be effectively disseminated.
Researchers found changes in grey matter volume in pain-processing areas of the brain, with decreased volume in regions responsible for inhibiting pain. The study also revealed altered signal transmission in the thalamus and correlations between brain structure and perceptional characteristics.
A study by Ruhr-University Bochum's Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy found altered brain activity in patients with fibromyalgia, which may contribute to the disorder's characteristic inability to control pain. The research provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients.
A recent study found that implicit bias in healthcare leads to prolonged struggles for women to obtain emotional support, diagnosis, and treatment for chronic health conditions. The study highlights the negative impact of 'communicative disenfranchisement' on women's mental and physical well-being.
A nationwide study found that days with higher-than-normal temperatures during the US summer season were associated with increased rates of emergency department visits for any mental health-related condition, particularly substance use and mood disorders. The impact of heat on mental health was similar across age groups and regions, hi...
A study by Dr. Ingo Helmich and his team found significant differences in non-verbal gestures and behavior between athletes with and without concussion, providing a new tool for improving diagnosis. These findings suggest that motion quality presentation gestures can offer insight into post-concussion motor sensory experience.
A new study reveals that bullying has a profound impact on both victims and perpetrators, leading to increased substance abuse and social issues. Research found that girls are more likely to internalize problems and exhibit psychosomatic complaints, while boys and girls are equally likely to engage in risk behaviors after being bullied.
Neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh identified key brain regions influencing the adrenal medulla, shedding light on the mind-body connection. The study provides a neural basis for psychosomatic illness and suggests meditation and exercise can modulate stress responses by targeting specific cortical areas.
A meta-analysis found that non-invasive brain stimulation can reduce food cravings for high-calorie snack foods, with a moderate-sized effect, roughly half a point on a four-point self-rated scale. The results suggest that DLPFC stimulation reduces cravings, especially for carbohydrates, which are often implicated in obesity.
A study published in Neurology found that athletes with pre-concussion medical complaints, such as psychosomatic symptoms, took longer to recover after a concussion. The severity of these symptoms was the greatest predictor of recovery time.
Researchers found that patients with IBS have reduced sensitivity in their gut nerves, contradicting previous theories of over-sensitivity. This desensitization could be a protective measure to prevent overstimulation.
A recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that children whose parents separate or divorce are more likely to experience psychosomatic problems. However, those living with both parents in a joint custody arrangement had fewer symptoms than peers living mostly or only with one parent.
Despite no detectable coronary artery disease, nearly three-quarters of patients experience severe or moderate symptoms before and after angiography. Symptoms persist in over seven out of ten cases. Validated questionnaires reveal higher anxiety levels, increased somatoform disorders, and hypochondria in these patients.
Researchers found that magnetic stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) increases cravings for high-calorie snacks and consumption among healthy young women. Weakening DLPFC activity also reduces inhibitory control strength and increases reward sensitivity, making individuals more susceptible to overeating.
A study of 1,500 middle-aged women found that one in five experienced constant or frequent stress, leading to 40% reporting psychosomatic symptoms like muscle aches and joint pain. Single women and smokers were particularly vulnerable to stress, highlighting the need for preventive measures from society.
A dance intervention program improved the self-rated health of Swedish girls with internalizing problems, such as stress and psychosomatic symptoms. The study found that 91% of girls rated the dance intervention as a positive experience.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that acute stress increases DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene, leading to excessive receptor production. This change may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer or depression.
Children who display multiple psychosomatic symptoms are more likely to be experiencing physical abuse at home, according to a study published in Acta Paediatrica. Abused children with chronic conditions reported significantly more psychosomatic symptoms than abused children without chronic conditions.
A new study by the University of Kansas found that positive emotions are crucial for maintaining physical health globally, especially among the poorest populations. The research, based on data from over 150,000 adults in more than 140 countries, showed a strong link between emotional well-being and physical health.
A recent Geisinger Health System study reveals a clear connection between combat veterans' mixed handedness and the likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research found that extreme mixed handedness increased PTSD risk by nearly five times.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University Psychology Professor Sheldon Cohen confirms that happy people are less likely to become ill when exposed to a cold virus. The researchers found that positive emotions such as happiness, optimism, extraversion, feelings of purpose in life, and self-esteem provide protection against infectious illness.
A recent study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that lower-income individuals and those with lower levels of education tend to have higher levels of stress hormones in their bodies. This association was independent of other factors such as race, age, or body mass index.
According to a recent review, approximately 15% of heart attack patients develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can lead to impairments in social functioning, vitality, and physical health. The study also identifies risk factors for PTSD in cardiovascular disease patients.
A review of studies on holidays and death found contradictory results with only modest effects, and failed to explain mechanisms for delaying or advancing death. The authors conclude that future studies need to be better designed to find valid answers.
A study by Michael A. Grandner and Daniel F. Kripke found that long sleepers and short sleepers report more sleep complaints than those who sleep seven to eight hours a night. Long sleepers experienced difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, and feeling unrefreshed upon waking.
Patients want more information about managing their heart conditions, particularly regarding diet, high cholesterol, and exercise. Despite a clear preference for sharing decision-making with doctors, patients reported feeling moderately well-informed and wanting more information.
A study of 73 patients with traumatic injuries found that those with depression and PTSD reported higher levels of physical distress. Women were more likely than men to experience such symptoms, highlighting the importance of early mental health screening and intervention.
Research suggests that men and women who experience an increase in hostile feelings from late teens to late 40s may double their risk of obesity, depression and poor social support. The study also found that hostility levels in college can predict unhealthy behaviors up to 30 years later.
A study analyzing data from 2,016 congregation members found that altruistic actions are associated with improved mental health. People who give help to others may be less likely to focus on their own anxieties and depression, leading to better mental well-being.
Researchers found a 17% higher chance of death for every 15 points lower childhood IQ, but this difference was reduced to 12% after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. High-IQ individuals may have lived long lives due to improved health behaviors or better coping mechanisms.
Researchers found a strong association between increased hostility and depressive symptoms and elevated IL-6 levels in healthy men. These findings suggest that psychological factors may contribute to the development of heart disease through inflammation. Further studies are underway to investigate this relationship in women.
Researchers found a positive emotional style was linked with greater resistance to developing a common cold and decreases in clinical colds, while a negative emotional style had no effect on getting sick. Inflammation chemicals may link the positive emotional style with illness.
A study by Andrew Steptoe and colleagues found that lower-level civil servants showed higher biological stress responses, including heart rate and cortisol levels, compared to their high-status counterparts. The study suggests that the experience of lower social status may trigger these responses.
Research suggests that lying awake for long periods and having disrupted sleep patterns increase the risk of death among older adults. Interventions aiming to improve sleep quality may also prolong life and enhance overall well-being in this age group.
A study published in Psychosomatics found that American college students are more likely to develop body image concerns and be preoccupied with their appearance than German counterparts. The data suggests an association between poor body image and low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A CWRU study of 1,000 retirees aged 75+ found that regular exercise and not smoking significantly correlated with increased lifespan. Exercise was also shown to improve physical function and mental health, such as reduced depression and increased exuberance for life.
A new study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that workers with little control in their jobs were 43-50% more likely to die during a five-to-ten year period. The research team suggests that 'alienating' work could lead to social disengagement and high-risk behaviors, increasing mortality risk.
A study found that individuals with strong social connections scored better on a measure of aging, including lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and hormonal imbalances. Strong relationships with family members also had a positive impact on health outcomes.
A study found that military personnel assigned to mortuary duty during the Gulf War experienced increased physical symptoms, with those handling bodies showing the most dramatic increases. The researchers suggest that this may be due to an increased awareness of one's own body or concern about dismissed physical symptoms.
A scoring system characterized the men from pessimist to optimist, with optimistic men having a lower risk of coronary heart disease. Despite this protective effect, the researchers found no difference in mortality rates between optimistic and pessimistic men.
A new study finds that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder have more medical problems and make at least 30% more health visits than those without PTSD. The researchers suggest that PTSD is a risk factor for physical disorders, affecting overall physical health and susceptibility to disease.
Research shows that children who bully others have fewer health problems than their victims, while those who are both bully and victim experience more physical and psychosomatic issues. Breaking the cycle of bullying in early primary school years is crucial to prevent long-term health problems.
A new study reveals that writers who took their own lives used more self-referential words and fewer communication words in their poetry. The research analyzed the works of nine deceased poets and compared them to those of nine non-suicidal peers.
A new study investigates the association between emotional abuse and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women. The research found that those who experienced emotional abuse scored higher on measures of self-blame and self-silencing, leading to increased stress which exacerbates IBS symptoms.
A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that patients with functional dyspepsia often employ non-discriminative coping patterns, reserving action-oriented strategies for controllable events. This approach may exacerbate anxiety levels and worsen symptoms.
A recent study found that nearly all children who experienced a traumatic event exhibited acute stress symptoms, with roughly half continuing to experience post-traumatic stress symptoms after 18 months. The researchers also discovered that indirectly-exposed children were at risk of developing full-blown post-traumatic stress disorder.
New research reveals that uncontrollable stresses can severely affect the immune system by disrupting cytokine function and producing high levels of cortisol. In contrast, controlled stress responses result in brief, insignificant changes to immune activity.
A new study found that anger expression fluctuates according to situational factors, rather than being a stable personality trait. State measures of anger expression were significantly associated with the person triggering anger, location, mood, and appraisal variables.
A study by Dr. Ulrich Schweiger and colleagues found that severely depressed men have lower testosterone concentrations during the day and night, as well as higher cortisol levels. This disturbance of gonadal function may impair sexual function and increase the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
A 5.5-year study found that stressful events and low social support accelerate HIV progression to AIDS, with men who developed AIDS twice as likely to have experienced major depressions before onset.
Researchers discovered that Mexican women who saw a PMS video experienced severe symptoms, including moderate and severe pain, after viewing the videotape. The study suggests that being aware of the syndrome may exacerbate premenstrual stress syndrome in women with higher levels of education.
Research finds that women experiencing hostility, anxiety and self-consciousness have thicker carotid arteries, an early marker for cardiovascular disease. Holding in anger or suppressing negative emotions may be key determinants of women's cardiovascular health.
Research shows that boys from more crowded homes experience greater physiological responses to stress and take more sick days. The study suggests a link between chronic stress, cardiovascular reactivity, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
A survey of consultation-liaison psychiatrists found that they strongly opposed participating in or endorsing physician-assisted death. However, there was more acceptance of referrals to other physicians and their involvement. The study suggests that requests for assisted death are often linked to depression, a treatable illness.