Research on anxiety and how to ease it. Covers cognitive-behavior programs, virtual reality, stress-response cells, and health-related worry.
A study found that patients who listened to relaxing music before cataracts surgery experienced significantly reduced anxiety and required less sedation. Music-induced relaxation lasts for approximately 60 minutes after the music stops, making it a potential non-pharmacological method to reduce pre-operative anxiety.
A randomized controlled trial found that additional palliative care support did not reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, or PTSD in family caregivers. Instead, effective communication by ICU physicians was associated with high family satisfaction and quality of care.
A randomized controlled trial found online computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) to be an effective treatment for anxiety and depression. The study, led by the University of Pittsburgh, showed that CCBT programs can provide significant improvements in mood and anxiety symptoms, even when used alone or in combination with int...
A Drexel University study found that female bisexual and questioning youth experience high levels of depression, anxiety, and traumatic distress. Gay and bisexual men also exhibit higher scores for depression and traumatic stress.
A national survey of over 34,000 adults found that individuals with bipolar disorder are equally likely to develop anxiety as depression after experiencing an episode of mania. This study may lead to a broader clinical definition of bipolar disorder that includes episodes of mania along with anxiety or depression.
A study of international data reveals that girls are more anxious about mathematics and STEM subjects compared to boys, with factors other than performance driving the difference. The research also found that parental views on the value of mathematics for daughters and sons do not explain the gap in anxiety levels.
A study of nearly 700 ICU survivors found that two-thirds experienced depression, anxiety, or PTSD, with most experiencing multiple symptoms. The risk factors were not related to illness severity or length of stay, but rather age, gender, unemployment, and substance misuse.
Research from King's College London found that human trafficking survivors in the UK experienced severe mental health problems, including high levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The study revealed nearly 80% of women and 40% of men reported these issues, highlighting the urgent need for psychological support.
Research suggests that relying on smartphones for internet access while traveling can cause significant anxiety. The study, conducted by Hui-Jen Yang and Yun-Long Lay, found that young people and those with higher levels of education experience greater 'smart phone web-dependence' and associated anxiety.
Researchers found that flies exhibit anxiety-like behaviors in response to heat stress, solitary confinement, and Valium treatment. The study identifies several new genes related to anxiety behavior in flies, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of anxiety.
A new study has found that gay and lesbian Canadians experience more mood and anxiety disorders than other Canadians, with bisexual Canadians reporting the highest rates. The research is based on data from over 220,000 Canadians who participated in the Canadian Community Health Survey between 2007 and 2012.
Researchers at UNC discovered that kappa opioid receptors inhibit the release of neurotransmitter glutamate in a brain region regulating emotion, leading to increased anxiety. The study found that activating KORs suppresses an anxiety-reducing pathway, making them potential targets for treating anxiety disorders.
Research reveals that people with anxiety have a hard time distinguishing between emotionally charged experiences and neutral stimuli, exhibiting a behavioral phenomenon known as over-generalization.
A study by Penn State researchers found that older adults who recalled more robots in films had lower anxiety toward robots. The researchers suggest that incorporating features reminiscent of Hollywood portrayals, such as human-like interfaces and sympathetic designs, may ease apprehension toward robots.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that meditation and ballet practices are associated with increased wisdom. Meditation was confirmed as a path to wisdom, while classical ballet also showed a link to higher wisdom levels among practitioners. The research suggests that physical practices like ballet may cultivate personal wisdom.
Researchers found a strong association between asthma symptoms and stress levels in teens, with waking up in the middle of the night and shortness of breath being key indicators. The study's lead author suggests that managing asthma is crucial for reducing stress and anxiety in young patients.
A study published in Current Biology found that individuals with anxiety exhibit over-generalization, mistaking new tones for previously associated ones. Brain imaging revealed altered brain responses in regions related to fear and sensory processing.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that high engagement with mobile technology is linked to anxiety and depression in college-age students. Researchers surveyed over 300 university students, finding that those who used devices for emotional escapism scored higher on depression and anxiety scales.
A study by Georgia State University found that genetics and specific brain regions are linked to sex differences in chimpanzees' scratching behavior, a common indicator of anxiety. The researchers identified the vasopressin V1a receptor gene as a key factor, with males showing higher rates of scratching and females showing lower rates.
Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood links parental anxiety and depression during pregnancy and preschool period to increased risk of fussy eating behavior in children. Mothers' antenatal symptoms were found to predict their child's fussy eating behavior at age 4, while fathers' pre-school period anxiety was linked to...
A new study reveals that viewing photographs combined with listening to music can significantly reduce patients' anxiety before surgery. The findings suggest playing videos with photos and music in preoperative waiting rooms as a simple and affordable way to improve care without medications or invasive treatments.
A new study suggests that a man's attachment style may influence his perceptions of whether a woman is interested in him sexually. Men with higher attachment anxiety tend to imagine women as more interested, while those with higher attachment avoidance see themselves as less flirty.
A new study finds that pregnancy can reduce PTSD symptoms in some women, while exacerbating them in others. Women who suffered a new stress or trauma during pregnancy and had anxiety about giving birth were at highest risk of worsening symptoms.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that meditation significantly reduced anxiety and fatigue in women undergoing breast cancer biopsies. Music also showed benefits, but to a lesser extent. The study suggests that meditation could be a valuable tool in improving patient care and satisfaction.
A study published by The BMJ found no direct association between benzodiazepine use and dementia, but suggests a possible link in those with low or moderate use. Healthcare providers are still advised to avoid benzodiazepines in older adults due to potential adverse health outcomes.
A new study suggests that gender role and personality traits, rather than biological sex, are associated with the risk of recurrence of cardiovascular events in adults. Adults with traditionally feminine characteristics had a higher risk of recurrence, regardless of their biological sex.
A large study of over 6,000 Latin American women found that sedentary lifestyles are associated with severe menopause symptoms, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and obesity. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of various health problems, including breast and colon cancer, dementia, and heart disease.
A new Northwestern University and UCLA study found that young people with high neuroticism are highly likely to develop both anxiety and depression disorders. Researchers suggest a single intervention could help prevent the development of both conditions.
A scientific review paper warns that chronic stress and anxiety can damage the brain's hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, increasing the risk of developing depression and dementia. Anti-depressant treatment and physical activity have been found to increase neurogenesis and may not be completely irreversible.
Researchers identified the inferior parietal cortex as a critical brain area that becomes deactivated when people feel they are being observed, leading to performance mishaps. This 'action-observation network' plays a role in inferring what others think and affects motor actions.
Research suggests that social anxiety disorder has a high genetic component, with environmental factors playing a significant role in its short-term development. The study found that while the risk of developing social anxiety is strongly influenced by genetic factors, environmental events have little impact on stability over time.
A self-heating lithium-ion battery can significantly improve electric vehicle performance in cold temperatures, reducing power loss and range anxiety. Developed by Penn State researchers, the all-climate battery uses nickel foil to heat up rapidly, increasing its capacity and efficiency.
Research at the University of Kent reveals a clear link between anxiety and activation in the right side of the brain, causing individuals to walk in a leftward trajectory. This finding has implications for the treatment of unilateral neglect, suggesting that reducing anxiety may benefit individuals suffering from right-sided neglect.
A new study by USC researchers found that people with high anxiety levels have a 48% higher risk of developing dementia. The study analyzed data from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging and found that chronic anxiety is linked to damage in the brain, including the hippocampus and frontal cortex.
Researchers have pinpointed an area of the brain that links anxious temperament to low social status. High-anxious individuals perform poorly in social competition, leading to social subordination. Pharmacological manipulation of mitochondria may influence social rank.
Researchers found anxiety before and after a child arrives is just as prevalent as depression, affecting around one in ten men and half the rate for women. Mental health expert Dr. Liana Leach highlighted the importance of early intervention to reduce symptoms and duration.
A new study explores how anxiety can aggravate asthma, revealing that individuals with anxiety sensitivity experience greater asthma symptoms and decreased lung function. The researchers recommend interventions such as exposure therapy to reduce anxiety sensitivity and alleviate asthma symptoms.
A mindfulness-based group intervention significantly reduces anxiety, depression, and improves quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Six months later, the benefits persist, making mindfulness practices a feasible and effective treatment option.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute found that positive stimuli, such as cute puppies, increase brain activity in areas involved in emotion control and working memory. Positive distractions do not interfere with task completion, unlike negative distractions like barking dogs, which decrease activity in these regions.
Researchers found that high math motivation can buffer the negative effects of math anxiety on math learning, while low motivation is linked to poor math performance. The study used twin data and college student samples to investigate the complex relationship between math anxiety, motivation, and math achievement.
Internet-delivered CBT has been shown to benefit people with depression and anxiety, offering a cost-effective and empowering way of accessing treatment. It allows clinicians to treat more patients effectively in less time, providing patient empowerment and increased clinical efficiency.
Research suggests that personal anxiety and mass media coverage interact to determine what people remember about a disease. The study found that selective media coverage can cause people to forget certain health facts, particularly those related to symptoms.
A new study analyzes 464 Twitter tweets related to MRI and finds that patients express anxiety about various aspects of the procedure, including diagnosis and treatment. The study highlights the potential use of social media platforms like Twitter to gather insights into patient experiences and improve medical care.
A study by King's Centre for Military Health Research found that UK military personnel's symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression increased in the months following their return from Afghanistan. The researchers highlighted the need for greater psychological support during this transitional period to help troops adjust to civilian life.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology describes a successful intervention to decrease anxiety related to mammography, increasing breast cancer screening rates. The study found that information about the logistics and outcomes of mammography reduced anxiety and improved understanding among participants.
A new mouse study reveals that high-fat diets can lead to anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as measurable brain changes. The study also found that completely reversing the diet improved metabolic impairments and reduced anxious symptoms.
A new review of studies found that psychostimulant treatment for ADHD significantly reduces the risk of anxiety. Higher doses of psychostimulants appear to be associated with a greater reduction in anxiety risk.
A study published in Sexual Medicine found that postcoital dysphoria affects 46% of women, leading to feelings of melancholy or depression. The study also revealed a relationship between negative emotions and potential evolutionary functions.
A new study by UConn Health psychiatrist Golda Ginsburg found that family-based intervention works to prevent anxiety in children. The study, published online September 25 in The American Journal of Psychiatry, found only 9% of children who participated in a therapist-directed family intervention developed anxiety after one year.
A new analysis found that healthy adults with larger orbitofrontal cortices tend to be more optimistic and less anxious. The study suggests that a thicker OFC may act as a buffer against anxiety by boosting optimism, and that increasing optimism can reduce anxiety.
New research by University of Houston researchers suggests that patients who improve quickly are more likely to drop out before completing treatment. Patients with high initial anxiety levels were also more likely to discontinue treatment. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding how patients make decisions about ...
A recent study presented at a British Psychological Society conference found that social media pressure can cause significant anxiety and depression in teenagers. The research revealed that constant availability and response expectations on social media accounts negatively impact sleep quality, self-esteem, and emotional well-being amo...
Participants focused on inherent traits, rather than external factors, as explanations for wealth disparities. Simple explanations can alleviate feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, leading people to see societal disparities as fair.
A new study of over 20,000 men and women in the UK found that women living in poor areas are almost twice as likely to develop clinical anxiety disorder as those in richer areas. In contrast, men's levels of generalized anxiety disorder remain unaffected by their socio-economic status.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that high levels of emotional exhaustion due to workplace anxiety can directly impact job performance. The quality of relationships between employees, supervisors, and co-workers plays a crucial role in mitigating the negative effects of workplace anxiety.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that middle-management employees suffer from higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to those at the top or bottom of the social hierarchy. Symptoms of depression were reported by 18% of supervisors and managers, while workers experienced 12%.
Research reveals that depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety, and anger are associated with increased atherosclerosis markers in RA patients. Screening and treatment of psychosocial symptoms may curb the cardiovascular disease burden in this patient group.
A study published in CHEST found that COPD patients with psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis are more likely to be readmitted early due to complications. These patients had a longer hospital stay and lower outpatient follow-up visits, indicating the need for additional guidance to reduce readmission rates.
A study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) tend to confuse reality with imagination, leading to a break from reality. This tendency is linked to increased OCD symptoms.
Researchers at Michigan State University developed a targeted brain game that helps people focus and reduces anxiety. The study found that anxious college students who completed the game task showed improved concentration and lessened anxiety after being distracted.