Research on anxiety and how to ease it. Covers cognitive-behavior programs, virtual reality, stress-response cells, and health-related worry.
Insomnia patients taking cannabis-based medical products reported significant improvements in sleep quality, anxiety, and pain over 18 months. The study found sustained benefits with minimal side effects, suggesting potential for medical cannabis as an option for conventional treatments.
A cross-sectional study found that greater lean mass and fitness are associated with fewer anxiety and depression symptoms in preadolescent children. Higher visceral adipose tissue, on the other hand, is linked to increased symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
A new study found that firearm suicides are rising sharply among older women, with nearly 40% of suicides involving firearms in 2014-2023. The trend outpaces older men, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to mitigate firearm suicides among all older adults.
A systematic review found that high-concentration delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis products are linked to unfavorable mental health outcomes, including psychosis and schizophrenia. The review of 99 studies suggests that higher THC concentrations increase the risk for adverse mental health effects.
A study found that disaster-induced displacement from home was associated with increased depression and anxiety symptoms, especially among those who never returned home. This highlights the urgent need for mental health care for displaced populations, particularly socially vulnerable groups.
A new study found that highly sensitive people are more likely to experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The research also suggests that sensitivity is a significant risk factor for various mental health conditions, and that tailored treatments may be more effective.
Adults with a history of cancer are significantly more likely to use depression and anxiety medications than noncancer survivors. Non-Hispanic Black patients exhibit decreased medication use, highlighting disparities in mental health treatment.
A new study reveals that autistic college students face dramatically higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their non-autistic peers. The research highlights the need for more mental health support for this underrepresented population.
A study published by the University of Leipzig found that adults with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) who have a higher body weight are at risk of malnutrition and related health issues. The research also highlighted the importance of accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies for this overlooked population.
Leading trauma researcher Professor Philip Hyland's work on Complex PTSD fundamentally changed World Health Organization diagnostic criteria, impacting how clinicians worldwide assess and treat trauma survivors. His innovative measurement tools, such as the International Trauma Questionnaire, challenge decades of clinical tradition and...
A recent study found that urban forests and small green spaces have significant benefits for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Young adults experience greater benefits than the general population, and spending non-active time in greenspaces can be more effective than active time in nature.
A new study by Binghamton University reveals that 97.5% of women in STEM graduate programs experience moderate to severe impostor feelings, which can lead to poorer mental health and increased burnout. Strategies such as shifting mindset and social support may help alleviate these feelings.
A digital mental health intervention reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in displaced Ukrainian children and adolescents. The study found that a small, low-cost intervention delivered through mobile devices significantly improved mental health outcomes.
A study from the UJI reveals how the brain interprets social hierarchies and emotional facial expressions through the anterior temporal lobe. The upper part of this region is strongly activated when individuals make decisions based on emotional facial expressions, particularly in those with high levels of anxiety.
A new study published in JCPP Advances found that watching a ten-minute video can shift how teenagers view themselves by promoting mental well-being. The intervention appeared to have little immediate effect on symptoms of anxiety or depression, but may work best as part of a broader toolkit of services.
Researchers found that Prozac's impact on mood behaviors is critical to the timing of its administration, with early postnatal exposure leading to increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, while adolescent exposure had the opposite effect. This study provides crucial mechanistic insights into alterations in neurocircuits that r...
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that anxiety diagnoses became the most common in Pennsylvania's medical cannabis program after being added, dropping chronic pain and PTSD diagnoses. The team analyzed data from 1,730,600 certifications issued from November 2017 to December 2023.
A new study found that the expanded child tax credit reduced anxiety and improved food security and housing stability among young children. However, it excluded many eligible low-income and immigrant families due to minimum income requirements.
Climate anxiety is growing, especially amongst young people, due to the polarized debate around climate change. Professor Beattie's book offers psychological tips on how to handle climate anxiety, including writing personal narratives about difficult emotional experiences. Strategies focus on improving mental well-being and empowering ...
A new study from the University of South Australia found that structured exercise programs improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in children. The study, involving 38,000 young people across 375 clinical trials, suggests benefits can emerge quickly, even for short periods of time.
PTEN-deficient mouse models exhibit ASD-like characteristics due to circuit imbalance and altered behavior. The study reveals specific circuit changes in the amygdala resulting from PTEN loss in inhibitory neurons, providing new insights into the underlying circuit alterations that contribute to heightened fear and anxiety.
A new meta-analysis of global research on climate anxiety reveals a complex relationship between climate concerns and behavior. The study found that climate anxiety is linked to environmentally friendly behavior and support for climate policy measures, but also negatively impacts well-being.
A new study found that moderate catch-up sleep on weekends is linked to fewer anxiety symptoms in teens, while excessive sleep can lead to more internalizing symptoms. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 8-10 hours of sleep per night for teenagers.
A new study by UCL researchers found that stroke survivors who attend talking therapy sessions are more likely to recover from their psychological symptoms. The study analyzed data from 1.9 million patients, including 7,597 stroke survivors, and showed that 71% experienced reliable improvement in depression and anxiety.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that two-thirds of UK gig economy riders and drivers experience anxiety over ratings and pay, with over half risking health and safety while working. The study also revealed that local workers spend an average of ten hours a week waiting for jobs to come through on the app.
Researchers found that obese mice displayed more anxiety-like behaviors and showed different signaling patterns in the hypothalamus, a region involved in regulating metabolism. The study also observed distinct differences in the makeup of gut bacteria in obese mice compared to lean mice.
A study found that oral microbiota transmission between spouses partially mediates symptoms of depression and anxiety. Couples with one partner experiencing depression and anxiety showed significant changes in their oral microbiota, which correlated with alterations in salivary cortisol levels.
A new strategy for screening anxiety and depression in epilepsy patients has shown a significant increase in screening rates from 12.6% to 29.2% using an electronic health record-based approach. The study found that younger patients and white patients were more likely to complete the screeners.
A new study from Kennedy Krieger Institute reveals nearly 40% of pediatric patients with long COVID report significant symptoms of anxiety or depression. The study highlights the importance of integrating mental health screening into care for children with long COVID to improve quality of life.
Heritage art practices, such as fiber arts and traditional painting styles, have been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety. The study collected data from participants in the US, Japan, and India, who engaged in activities like creating temporary body art or mizuhiki, tying decorative knots with thin paper strings.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that calorie restrictive and low-fat diets may reduce depression symptoms in those with high cardiometabolic risk. However, the evidence is limited, and researchers recommend further exploration of dietary interventions alongside first-line treatment for depression and/or anxiety.
A national study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that cyberbullying, including exclusion and rejection, can lead to significant trauma in youth. The study found that almost 9 in 10 students experienced at least one form of victimization, highlighting the increasing ubiquity of digital aggression.
Researchers have identified the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as the basis of emotional inference in animals and humans. In a study published in Nature, Xiaowei Gu and Joshua Johansen found that rats can learn inferred emotions by associating a neutral stimulus with an unpleasant experience.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that learning one's Alzheimer's risk can decrease negative emotions like depression and anxiety, but also leads to decreased motivation for maintaining healthy lifestyle changes. Researchers emphasize the importance of personalized disclosure processes to sustain healthy behaviors.
A new study by the University of Ottawa reveals a clear link between racism in schools and symptoms of depression among Black students. The research identifies how academic racism hinders Black youths and their social and economic contribution to Canadian society.
A new study has found that people with celiac disease can safely kiss their partners without worrying about gluten transfer. In a two-part study, researchers found minimal gluten in the saliva of partners with celiac disease, even when they kissed after consuming gluten.
A Stanford Medicine study found that VR-guided meditation reduced parental anxiety by 30% and was more effective for Spanish-speaking families. The six-minute guided meditation helps build healthy coping skills, allowing parents to manage stress in the hospital setting.
Researchers at UCSF found clinically significant improvements in mood, cognition, and motor function after psilocybin therapy for patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that psilocybin could provide relief from multiple symptoms of the disease by reducing inflammation and promoting neuroplasticity.
A new study reveals that individuals with anxiety and depression tend to focus on jobs where they feel less confident, rather than those where they perform well, leading to persistent low self-belief. Positive feedback boosts overall self-belief, while negative feedback reduces it in all participants.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute discovered a critical mechanism for mental health, where dopamine signals enable fear extinction. Dopamine activates specific amygdala neurons tied to reward, driving fear extinction and opening up new avenues for treating fear-related disorders like PTSD.
A new non-invasive brain stimulation technique using sound waves shows significant relief from depression, anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Participants experienced clinically significant improvements in negative affect and symptoms after just three weeks of daily treatments.
Researchers found that immune system influences stress and fear behaviors by changing how brain cells communicate, but treatment with psychedelics can target these interactions and reduce stress-induced fear. The study suggests that psychedelics could reshape treatment for inflammatory disorders like anxiety and depression.
Researchers used a virtual reality game to investigate how brief anxiety impacts spatial learning and threat recognition. Participants who learned to distinguish between safe and dangerous areas showed better spatial memory and lower anxiety.
A study of nearly 11,000 individuals found that men with panic disorder are more vulnerable to developing problematic drinking behaviors than women, potentially due to self-medication. The research highlights the need for sex-specific assessment and intervention strategies in treating comorbid conditions
A Northwestern University study found virtual group singing can be an effective tool for promoting well-being and social connection during isolation. Participants reported high satisfaction with the sing-alongs, which helped evoke emotional resonance and promote intellectual engagement.
A large US youth sample shows increased rates of anxiety and depression from 2016 to 2022. In contrast, asthma and severe headaches or migraines decreased in this cohort.
Researchers found that most people are open to their friends asking to join plans, but hesitate to self-invite due to concerns about offending others. The study's findings suggest that people tend to underestimate the likelihood of getting invited and overestimate how much others consider them.
Dr. Rhonda Winegar investigates the effectiveness of music therapy in supporting neurological care, including its ability to reduce anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's patients. Her research also highlights its potential to regulate heart rate and blood pressure, as well as improve motor function in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Young adults face anxiety due to conflicting pressures to accelerate their maturation and assume adult responsibilities earlier, while also encountering limitations that slow or limit their ability to take on these roles. This double bind creates a difficult navigation process for youths, with many things often outside of their control.
A new study from the University of South Australia found that teenagers who exercise regularly with their families are more likely to meet activity guidelines and report stronger mental health. The research showed that daily family exercise can lead to improved physical and mental well-being in teens, building strong bonds and confidence.
A new study found that coordination during fear looks different in males and females, with opposite-sex pairs showing resilience under stress. Female mice were more responsive to their partners, while males tended to copy each other's actions, forming a strong social unit against stress.
Researchers found that immune molecule IL-17 influences brain regions to induce either anxiety in the amygdala or sociable behavior in the somatosensory cortex. This discovery highlights the interconnectedness of the immune and nervous systems.
Patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia showed long-term improvements in overall health-related quality of life, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. The study, which recruited over 2,300 participants, also found improvements in anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain for those with corresponding conditions.
Researchers at NCSA and UICOMP have created an improved, automated screening method for anxiety and depression disorders using machine learning and acoustic analysis of verbal fluency data. The new tool offers promise for overcoming barriers to diagnosis and treatment.
Psychologists Abigail Fisher, Naomi Fisher, and Eliza Fricker argue that pushing children into school is not always the healthiest approach. They suggest creating psychologically healthy schools with holistic wellbeing-focused environments and utilising interventions that prioritize interest-based projects.
A study by Boston University School of Public Health found that over half of US adults experience some form of discrimination, which can lead to higher chances of depression and/or anxiety. Discrimination-related mental health issues were particularly pronounced among multiracial, White, and Asian populations.
The study found significant improvements in symptoms for participants with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and eating disorders. Participants reported trusting and communicating with Therabot comparable to working with a therapist.
A new study by Reichman University explores the emotional consequences of using artificial intelligence, finding a U-shaped relationship between anxiety and AI usage. The research highlights the psychological motivations and barriers associated with adopting smart technologies.
A large cohort study found living alone to be a critical factor in suicide risk assessments for individuals with depression and anxiety. The study of 3.7 million individuals highlighted the importance of preventing mental illness while addressing living arrangements.
Researchers discovered that D1 and D2 neurons in the brain work together to process appetitive and aversive stimuli, with D2 neurons playing a key role in extinguishing negative associations. This understanding can help develop new treatments for anxiety and post-traumatic stress.