Research on anxiety and how to ease it. Covers cognitive-behavior programs, virtual reality, stress-response cells, and health-related worry.
Researchers at the University of Turku studied how horror movies affect brain activity and found that unseen threats are the scariest. The study revealed that brains continuously anticipate and prepare for action in response to threat, making horror movies an effective way to enhance excitement.
People with acquired facial paralysis experience higher rates of depression and anxiety due to stigma and loss of identity. Research suggests that greater protections against discrimination are needed to alleviate psychological distress.
Researchers found no depression or anxiety from dementia screening in older adults. The study also showed that screening did not reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Dementia screening provides awareness for patients and families to take action, including advance care planning.
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 study found that pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD) are more likely to test positive for stress, anxiety, and depression, which can impair fetal brain development. The study suggests that routine screening for psychological distress is crucial during prenatal care.
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 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.
Researchers examined how children's psychological characteristics interact with their parents' characteristics and family dynamics to affect nutrition intervention outcomes. The study found a significant impact of strong family dynamics on improved nutritional interventions, while weak family dynamics led to minimal changes.
A study of over 2,500 people in the US and China identified 13 universal emotional responses to music, including amusement, joy, and relaxation. The research provides a framework for understanding how music evokes emotions across cultures and has potential applications in psychology, therapy, and music streaming services.
Researchers found that implanted neurostimulators can record brain data during anxiety attacks, guiding therapy changes to reduce negative symptoms caused by seizures. Five patients with epilepsy showed improvements in treating neuropsychiatric comorbidities through data analysis and counseling.
A study by Tohoku University researchers reveals that ancestral VMAT1 proteins exhibited increased neurotransmitter uptake, potentially linked to higher levels of anxiety or depression. The findings suggest that our ancestors may have been able to withstand higher levels of anxiety.
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.
Experts recommend developing more intuitive applications with signposting and instructions to help older adults feel comfortable navigating online banking. Self-sufficiency and technological anxiety influence behavior, making it essential to increase confidence and reduce anxiety through clear communication and usability guarantees.
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.
A study at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) suggests that pindolol, a blood pressure medication, can reduce anxiety-like behavior and neurogenic maladaptations in mice with long-term heavy alcohol consumption. The drug also restores damage caused by alcohol to new and immature neurons in the brain.
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.
A role-playing experiment involving over 300 women from multiple countries suggests that female self-sexualization is linked to income inequality and social status anxiety. The study supports the hypothesis that social climbing and status competition drive sexualization among women.
Women's appearance enhancement is driven by status anxiety and income inequality, according to research. In economically unequal societies, participants chose more revealing outfits due to social status anxiety, using attractiveness as a strategy to climb the social hierarchy.
Research reveals that adolescent binge drinking can lead to altered gene expression, increasing susceptibility to anxiety and alcohol use disorders in adulthood. Targeting specific microRNAs may be a new approach to undoing the damage of early-life alcohol exposure.
Research led by NC State University found that early life exposure to flame retardants increases anxiety and affects socioemotional behaviors in prairie voles. The study, published in Neurotoxicology and Teratology, highlights the potential risks of chemical flame retardants on neurological development and social behavior.
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.
A new study from the University of Bristol found a significant association between generalized anxiety disorder at age 18 and harmful drinking three years later. The research used data from the Children of the 90s cohort to investigate the relationship between anxiety, drinking motives, and alcohol use.
A systematic review of 31 trials found that omega-3 supplements offered no benefit in preventing depression or anxiety symptoms. The research team analyzed data from over 41,470 participants and concluded that the supplements should not be encouraged as a treatment for these conditions.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that deep sleep can calm the anxious brain by reorganizing connections. Participants who got more nighttime deep sleep experienced lower anxiety levels the next day, suggesting a strong causal connection between sleep and anxiety.
Researchers found a correlation between dysfunctional microglia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) behaviors in mice. Female sex hormones exacerbated symptoms, indicating a potential genetic link to anxiety disorders.
Prescriptions for benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are significantly higher in the most deprived GP practice populations, with a 45% increase compared to the least deprived. The association between prescribing rates and socioeconomic deprivation persisted even after accounting for demographic differences.
A new BYU study found that the amount of time teenagers spend on social media is not directly related to their anxiety and depression levels. Researchers analyzed data from 500 youth aged 13-20 over eight years, finding no strong correlation between increased social media use and mental health outcomes.
A study found that many women and healthcare providers believe CBD is safe during pregnancy, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Researchers urge pregnant women and providers to be cautious about using CBD due to potential interactions with other medications.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that mindfulness meditation training enhances the ability to recall a 'safety' memory, leading to reduced fear and anxiety. The researchers used MRI scans to examine changes in the brain associated with attention and memory following mindfulness meditation training.
Family members and caregivers of young children with atopic dermatitis experience mild to moderate severity anxiety and depression, affecting up to 74%. The study found no association between disease severity and anxiety/depression scores, highlighting the need for holistic management of the condition.
A study found that 18% of cardiac rehab patients had moderate to severe depression, anxiety, or stress. These conditions were associated with higher rates of dropout from rehabilitation and reduced improvements in symptoms. Clinicians are urged to screen for mental health issues and offer additional support.
New research reveals a striking proportion of psoriasis patients remain untreated, with doctors investing too little time into patients. The study found that over half of patients are not currently visiting a physician to help with treatment, indicating a need for improved care and patient engagement.
A study by the University of Waterloo found that anticipating performance at work or school can hinder memory recall. The presence of an audience may also contribute to this effect. Researchers suggest strategies like presenting first to avoid pre-performance anxiety.
Researchers found that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder were more sensitive to emotional shifts and experienced anxiety during relaxation exercises. This sensitivity was linked to feeling anxious while being led through relaxation sessions.
Research reveals how CBD inhibits emotional processing in rats exposed to THC, reducing anxiety behaviors. The study proposes a bi-directional control of ERK1-2 phosphorylation as the key mechanism behind these findings.
A recent study has found that chronic stress can lead to changes in the mitochondria of brain cells, which may contribute to anxiety symptoms. Researchers identified differences in mitochondrial pathways between stressed and non-stressed mice and patients with panic disorder.
Children with asthma who also have depression and anxiety are more likely to visit the ER, with a rate of 28 visits per 100 child years compared to 16 for those without mental health diagnoses. This population may benefit from more intensive care coordination to improve medication compliance and symptom recognition.
Researchers discover a new neural mechanism involving the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex that explains how anxiety deteriorates physical performance. Transcranial magnetic stimulation to this region rescues performance deterioration, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for athletes and musicians.
A UCL-led clinical trial found that antidepressant sertraline reduces anxiety symptoms earlier than depressive symptoms, with participants showing improvement in mental health overall. The study suggests antidepressants like sertraline may benefit a wider group of people beyond those diagnosed with depression or anxiety.
A study of 153 patient-physician pairs found only modest agreement on prioritizing chronic conditions, with 29% of patients' first priorities not matching physicians' lists. Agreement varied by condition, with stronger agreements for common conditions like hypothyroidism and diabetes.
A new study finds that growing up as a minority in the US can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, even under similar conditions to those in Puerto Rico. Factors such as perceived discrimination, cultural identity, and social support play a significant role in shaping mental health outcomes.
A large study found that children of anxious mothers are more likely to develop hyperactivity symptoms in adolescence, with a link seen between maternal anxiety and child behavior. Researchers tracked over 3,000 children and found that children from high-anxiety mothers were twice as likely to show signs of hyperactivity
Research reveals that individuals who experienced financial, housing-related, or job-related hardships during the Great Recession showed increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and problematic drug use. These findings suggest that government-funded mental health support may be a sound investment to stimulate economic recovery.
A new study found that NFL players who experienced concussions had elevated risk for serious cognitive problems, depression, and anxiety, persisting even 20 years after injury. Players in high-impact positions like running backs, linebackers, and special teams faced greater risks compared to those in lower-risk positions.
Research found symptomatic GERD a risk factor for TMD, with longer GERD history linked to higher TMD risk. Multidisciplinary management programs may help patients with co-occurring conditions.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis and the University of Wisconsin-Madison identified neurotrophin-3 as a key molecule in anxiety models. Boosting this molecule reduced anxiety-related behaviors in nonhuman primates.
Psychologist Lisa Damour presents a counterintuitive view of stress and anxiety as unavoidable and potentially helpful. She argues that moderate levels of stress can build resilience and that anxiety serves as an internal alarm system to alert us to threats.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that people with loneliness and social anxiety are more likely to experience negative outcomes from using dating apps. They tend to compulsively use the apps, even in social situations, leading to missed classes, work trouble, or social anxiety.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that highly anxious individuals in Hawaii calmed down rapidly after a false missile alert, while those with lower anxiety levels took longer to stabilize. The researchers believe this may be due to the threat of imminent death putting day-to-day stressors into perspective.
A new study found that mothers living near hydraulic fracking activities were more likely to experience anxiety and depression during pregnancy. The risk was higher among those with lower incomes. Researchers suggest that community-level stressors and air pollution may contribute to these mental health issues.
A study published in Brain Injury found that patients with mild concussions experienced reduced sense of smell within 24 hours of their accident, which returned to normal after six months. However, anxiety persisted for a year after the injury, affecting approximately 65% of concussed patients.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that online symptom self-management works to decrease pain, anxiety, and depression symptoms. The study also showed that combining online self-management with clinician telecare leads to greater symptom improvement for some individuals.
Researchers found music to be as effective as midazolam in lowering anxiety before anesthetic procedures. The study used Marconi Union's 'Weightless' song and noise-canceling headphones to reduce anxiety levels.
A clinical trial suggests music can reduce anxiety before peripheral nerve block, with similar effects as midazolam. However, patients in the music group were less satisfied due to limited music choice, and communication was harder.
A UCL study finds that a programme of therapy and coping strategies for people caring for family members with dementia successfully improves their mental health. The START programme has been shown to be cost-effective in improving the wellbeing of both carers and those they care for, with patient-related costs being significantly lower.