Research on anxiety and how to ease it. Covers cognitive-behavior programs, virtual reality, stress-response cells, and health-related worry.
A review paper found that pregnant military spouses report increased depressive symptoms during pregnancy and partner deployment, attributed to social isolation and stress. Specialised support for military spouses may reduce anxiety during deployments.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have discovered a neural circuit in the locus coeruleus (LC) that helps moderate brain activity and maintain calm. The circuit involves connections between neurons releasing GABA and noradrenaline, which work together to regulate arousal levels.
A new study reveals that adults with cerebral palsy are at a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety compared to their peers. Intellectual difficulties associated with the condition can exacerbate this risk, with a significant increase in anxiety.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people with lower incomes who practice cognitive reappraisal strategies experience reduced anxiety levels. The researchers analyzed data from experiments and a national survey to understand how socioeconomic status affects emotional regulation strategies.
Anxiety and depression are linked to increased odds for heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, stroke, but not cancer. Treating mental health conditions can cut healthcare costs, according to a new UCSF study.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that chronic peer victimization during adolescence can lead to structural changes in the brain, including decreased volume in areas related to anxiety and depression. The research suggests that early intervention may help mitigate these effects.
A new care model at Nemours Children's Hospital reduces the use of medication for children with autism spectrum disorders in emergency visits. The REACH Program uses distraction objects and rewards to manage anxiety and agitation, leading to improved patient experiences.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science have revealed a previously unknown mechanism underlying anxiety. Targeting this biochemical pathway may help develop new therapies for alleviating the symptoms of anxiety disorders.
New research shows that shy individuals are more prone to 'hangxiety' - anxiety during a hangover - compared to extroverts. This study found a significant increase in anxiety levels among shy drinkers, suggesting a potential rebound effect after a night of drinking.
Researchers found that aqueous extract of soursop leaves can reduce chronic pain, anxiety, and depression associated with fibromyalgia. The study used 60 female rats and plans to conduct clinical trials in humans.
A study of 4,943 former UK ICU patients found that 46% experienced anxiety, 40% depression, and 22% PTSD. Patients reporting symptoms of depression were 47% more likely to die from any cause during the first two years after discharge.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered by respiratory nurses reduced anxiety symptoms in COPD patients, leading to fewer hospital visits. The study found that CBT was more effective than leaflets alone in reducing anxiety and improving quality of life.
A six-week mindfulness-meditation training program significantly reduced subjective distress and life dissatisfaction in mildly stressed adults. The effects were mediated by a reduction in perceived stress, supporting the theory that mindfulness facilitates acceptance of internal reactions to stressors.
A new study has identified a common pattern of brain activity linked to feelings of low mood and anxiety, particularly in individuals with a tendency towards depression. The findings could serve as a biomarker for developing new therapies to treat mood disorders.
New studies reveal that disrupted circadian rhythms can drive anxiety and exacerbate brain disorders, highlighting the importance of regulating wake-sleep cycles. Healthy sleep habits are also found to be critical in preventing various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and anxiety disorder.
A study published in Psycho-Oncology found that women who have survived breast cancer are more likely to experience phobic anxiety, leading to sexual dysfunction and unpleasant sex experiences. The research highlights the significant role of psychosocial factors on sexuality in these patients.
A cross-sectional study of NICU parents found that those with higher resilience scores had lower levels of depression, anxiety, and NICU-related stress. Parents who received social support from family and friends also showed higher resilience scores.
A Kent State University researcher is using a $450,000 NIH grant to study how we create deeply ingrained fear memories and how to block them. He aims to target the amygdala's microglia cells, which produce cytokines associated with chronic anxiety and depression.
A recent study reveals that employee anxiety, self-esteem, and leadership behavior perception can impact a leader's influence on organizational functioning. Followers and leaders can buffer against undesirable effects of dark-side traits like dishonesty, disagreeableness, and carelessness.
Researchers found that trigger warnings can lead to avoidance and less negative reactions, but those who believe them protective do not feel better. The study used three studies with over 1,300 participants and suggests that more research is needed on the topic.
Two studies presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2018 annual meeting show that virtual reality can reduce postoperative anxiety and pain in children. Virtual reality hypnosis programs significantly reduced the need for pain medication and opioid consumption, allowing patients to recover faster.
Bryan Gervais' study examines the impact of elite incivility on partisanship, revealing that counter-attitudinal incivility induces anger, leading to more partisan attitudes. The research also highlights the role of social media in amplifying incivility and polarization.
A new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests that experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault could have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of midlife women. Women who were younger or more financially stressed were more likely to be harassed, and both sexual harassme...
Two studies investigate the impact of workplace sexual harassment and assault on blood pressure, mood, anxiety, and sleep among midlife women. The research found that sexual harassment is linked to higher hypertension rates and poor sleep, while assault is associated with depression, anxiety, and clinically significant elevations.
A new study suggests that low estrogen levels during menopause may contribute to increased anxiety and minor memory problems. The research, conducted on female rats without ovaries, found a link between estrogen deficiency and anxiety-like behavior.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that childhood exposure to allergens can lead to persistent lung inflammation, which may contribute to the development of anxiety later in life. The study also found that episodes of labored breathing were associated with short-term anxiety.
A study by University of Kansas professors found that mass shootings create a brief window of opportunity for policymakers to pass gun law reforms, with anxious people supporting changes in ideology and politics. However, this effect is short-lived as the public's emotional response to anxiety changes how they think about politics.
Concussion symptoms in children under 13 typically last three times longer than in adults, according to a comprehensive review published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. Active recovery, including academics and athletics, has emerged as a standard treatment, promoting progressive return to school and sports, whil...
A new study reveals a strong association between back pain, smoking, drinking, anxiety, depression, and school absenteeism in adolescents. Researchers found that teens experiencing frequent back pain are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors and report mental health problems.
A new study by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health suggests that an inhaled form of a high blood pressure medication may treat certain types of anxiety as well as pain. The treatment uses a short-acting nasal spray called amiloride, which targets physiological changes in brain functioning linked to anxiety and pain sensitivity.
A new study reveals that OLM cells in the hippocampus play a key role in controlling anxiety and risk-taking behavior. The manipulation of these cells can modulate anxiety and may lead to breakthroughs in treating pathological anxiety.
A recent study published in Personality Neuroscience found that certain brain regions and personality traits can help protect against depression and anxiety. Researchers identified common factors in brain structure and personality that contribute to resilience against emotional distress.
A study found that people's likelihood of expressing gratitude is driven by predictions of recipient reactions, highlighting the importance of overcoming fear to write sincere thank-you notes. The research suggests that writing gratitude letters can improve well-being for both writers and recipients at little cost.
Researchers found that listening to yoga music before bed increased heart rate variability, while pop music decreased it. Additionally, yoga music reduced anxiety levels and improved participants' mood.
A new study by University of Turku researchers found that individuals with higher levels of peace of mind reported more positive dream emotions, while those with anxiety experienced negative dream emotions. The study suggests a link between peaceful mind and better emotion regulation during both waking life and dreaming.
A new study by Virginia Tech finds that employees who expect to be available for work emails during non-work hours experience anxiety, affecting their health and family relationships. The 'flexible work boundaries' concept often turns into 'work without boundaries', leading to strain on both employees and their loved ones.
Researchers say childhood thoughts and beliefs make people vulnerable to fake news. To defend against it, psychologists recommend reducing anxiety through humor, sublimation, and cultivating an open mind. Critical thinking skills also play a key role in questioning information and diminishing confirmation bias.
A new study finds that organizational expectations to monitor work-related electronic communication outside of work hours lead to increased employee anxiety, decreased relationship satisfaction, and detrimental effects on health. Mindfulness training and clear policies can help mitigate these negative impacts.
Researchers at MIT found that stimulating the caudate nucleus, a brain region linked to emotional decision-making, induces animals to make more negative decisions. The study suggests that this type of pessimistic thinking could influence approach-avoidance decision-making and may be related to depression and anxiety.
Research suggests that psychedelic drugs can help treat disorders such as social anxiety, depression, and PTSD when used in combination with psychotherapy. Studies have shown promising results for MDMA, psilocybin, and ayahuasca in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and disordered eating.
A UCL-led study found that stress enhances people's ability to process and internalize bad news, reversing the typical optimism bias. Under stressful conditions, individuals become more vigilant to bad news, even when unrelated to their anxiety source.
A study of hundreds of related monkeys found individual differences in brain connectivity associated with anxious temperament. Functional connectivity within the extended amygdala is heritable and linked to early-life anxiety risk.
Scientists found a link between the brain's response to taste stimuli and high anxiety in patients with anorexia nervosa. The study suggests that this response may drive the illness and proposes potential treatments based on manipulating biomarkers.
Mind-body therapies, such as biofeedback and mindfulness, can help alleviate anxiety in teenagers. Nurse practitioners play a vital role in screening for anxiety and creating personalized plans to combat it.
A recent study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that over half of female students in Ontario experience moderate to serious psychological distress. The survey also revealed a strong link between technology use and mental health issues, with 20% of students spending five or more hours on social media daily.
Researchers developed a novel psychological intervention to treat anxiety in bipolar disorder, which was effective in improving clinical outcomes and reducing suicidality. The intervention included individualized formulation-driven approach and cognitive behavioral strategies to address anxiety experiences.
Researchers found that using stress balls or having hands held did not reduce anxiety, pain, or satisfaction in patients undergoing skin cancer surgery. The study of 135 patients showed no significant difference in outcomes between those who used stress balls or had their hands held.
A study of NCAA Division I college athletes found that those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were more susceptible to experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety following a concussion. Athletes with ADHD and a history of concussion had significantly higher scores on tests measuring anxiety and depression.
Patients with heart failure experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety are at higher risk for progressive heart disease and adverse outcomes. Psychotherapy may offer advantages over medications as a treatment option for these patients.
A new study from the University of Kansas reviewed data from 22 preclinical studies and 14 clinical studies, finding no significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety in humans. However, researchers suggest that probiotics may have potential benefits for anxiety and cognitive issues in the future.
A study suggests that rates of depression and anxiety in early RA patients correlate with measures of disease activity, particularly inflammation. Depression scores were significantly associated with inflammatory markers like c-reactive protein, while anxiety scores were linked to female gender, younger age, and low body mass index.
A team of researchers from UAlberta has identified a new pathway in the brain that could lead to the development of a new treatment for anxiety disorders. By targeting the peptide NPY, they found that it can reduce anxiety and increase stress resilience. This breakthrough provides hope for finding new avenues for treatment.
Researchers used EEG to measure brain response to rewards in patients with depression and anxiety. They found that increased reward positivity was associated with symptom improvement, and those with blunted reward positivity responded better to antidepressant medication.
A new study found that military service members who depicted psychological injuries in their artwork had more acute post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms than those who used symbols of their military units. The research team linked themes in masks made by active service members to measures of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
A University of Houston researcher is targeting adults with anxiety and depression who struggle to quit smoking by providing individualized, online feedback. The goal is to increase motivation, confidence, and intention to quit while reducing perceived barriers to quitting. The study aims to improve distress tolerance skills to help pa...
Researchers found that immunizing with Mycobacterium vaccae creates a lasting stress-resilient phenotype in the brain by blocking sensitizing effects of stress. This could lead to new probiotic-based immunizations for PTSD and anxiety, or treatments for depression.
A pilot study found that virtual reality sessions before sedation for IVF treatment reduce women's anxiety. The study also showed a slight improvement in biological pregnancy rates, but not clinical pregnancy rates at 12 weeks, with results comparable to those without VR sessions.
A study found that only 20 percent of young people diagnosed with anxiety will stay well over the long term, regardless of treatment. Regular mental health checkups may be a more effective way to treat anxiety than current models.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a neural circuit in the amygdala that generates anxiety. The critical role of dynorphin was revealed, which could serve as a cellular target for treating anxiety-related disorders.
Boston Medical Center is conducting a study to test the efficacy of two different methods of delivering cognitive behavioral therapy - face-to-face or online - to children with anxiety. The study aims to determine which format is more effective for patients, particularly those in lower-income and minority families.