Research on anxiety and how to ease it. Covers cognitive-behavior programs, virtual reality, stress-response cells, and health-related worry.
A study of over 800 children found that those who avoided scary situations had stable anxiety scores after a year and were more anxious later. The approach may enable identifying kids at risk for anxiety disorders, which cognitive behavior therapy can help address.
A study by the University of Utah reveals that female partners of vets with PTSD suffer from significant increases in blood pressure, anger, and emotional distress. The study suggests these partners may be at similar or greater risk for cardiovascular disease due to relationship conflict and PTSD.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that selectively activating the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus can reduce anxiety without affecting learning. This suggests that targeting this brain region could be used to treat certain anxiety disorders with minimal cognitive side effects.
A recent study published in the BMJ found that home-based telehealth had no effect on quality of life, anxiety, or depressive symptoms for patients with chronic conditions. The study, which involved over 1,500 participants, suggests that concerns about telehealth's potential benefits are unfounded.
Adults undergoing bariatric surgery who are more physically active are less likely to have depressive symptoms and treatment for depression or anxiety. Moderate-intensity physical activity, such as one hour a week or 4,750 steps a day, was associated with lower odds of these conditions.
A new study suggests that high levels of attachment anxiety in married couples can compromise their immune systems, leading to higher cortisol levels and fewer T cells. This chronic stressor may be related to inconsistent care during infancy, but it is also possible for individuals with attachment anxiety to change.
Researchers find that broken molecular motors cause stress and anxiety in mice, potentially leading to new anti-anxiety drug candidates. The discovery highlights the critical role of these motors in transporting serotonin receptors, which regulate mood and behavior.
Low-income adults with poor mental health are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as binge drinking and smoking. The study found that symptoms of depression and anxiety, rather than unhealthy behaviors, predict later levels of these health-compromising actions.
A study published in Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy reveals that positive first-time experiences are predictive of physical and emotional satisfaction. Those who felt loved and respected by their partner found later encounters more emotionally satisfying.
A new study published in Neurology shows that people with early Parkinson's disease often experience non-motor symptoms like anxiety, constipation, and drooling. These symptoms can significantly impact quality of life and are treatable if addressed.
In early 19th-century Ireland, women who drank tea were seen as reckless and uncontrollable, wasting their time and money on a supposedly luxury they couldn't afford. This perception was fueled by concerns about tea's supposed addictive qualities and its associations with slavery and revolutionary feminism.
A new study from Concordia University found that for individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), anger is a major exacerbating factor, contributing to symptoms and potentially hindering treatment. The research suggests that internalized anger expression may be a stronger predictor of GAD than other forms of anger.
A study at Thomas Jefferson University found that meditation paired with art therapy significantly reduced stress and anxiety in women with breast cancer. The treatment altered brain activity, increasing emotional centers associated with positive emotions, stress regulation, and reward system function.
A new study review from the University of Kentucky found that music therapy can reduce pain, anxiety, and recovery time for surgery patients. Patients who received music therapy were less anxious before procedures, recovered more quickly, and required less sedative medication.
A study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that anxiety sensitivity significantly impeded the quitting efforts of smokers with asthma. Participants with higher anxiety sensitivity reported increased self-control as a motivation to quit, but also experienced temporary increases in anxiety symptoms, making it harder for them t...
A questionnaire called the Relaxation Sensitivity Index (RSI) has been developed to examine why certain individuals fear relaxation. The RSI found that high levels of anxiety sensitivity are often linked to relaxation-induced anxiety, suggesting that deviations from normal functioning can be stressful for some people.
A novel approach to cataract surgery using binaural beats audio therapy significantly reduces patients' anxiety, with consistent results in heart rate and blood pressure. The study highlights the potential for this simple, inexpensive method to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
A study of 57 children and their families found that early life stress may sensitize girls' brains for later anxiety, with higher cortisol levels and reduced communication between brain areas associated with emotion regulation. The findings suggest a developmental pathway through which early stress may drive these changes.
A study examines parental behaviors that create anxious children, revealing a link between parents' social anxiety and their offspring's angst. The research identifies specific behaviors, including lack of warmth and criticism, which can increase anxiety in children.
Research found that math anxiety activates regions of the brain associated with physical pain, while anticipation of math increases neural activity. Individuals with high math anxiety tend to avoid math-related situations due to a potential neural basis for this avoidance.
Research at the University of Chicago shows that math anxiety can prompt a brain response similar to physical pain. The anticipation of doing math activates the same brain areas as registering bodily harm or experiencing pain.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that decreased gene activity may be involved in childhood risk for anxiety and depression. Researchers found that young children with highly anxious temperaments have lower levels of specific genes in the amygdala, which can lead to overactivity and impaired learning about f...
Researchers found that pregnant men experience increased stress levels during conflict discussions, depending on the level of hostility expressed by their partner. Women, on the other hand, show varying responses to relationship conflict, with some experiencing prolonged stress and others finding discussing difficult topics reassuring.
A study published in Journal of Travel Research found that fearful flyers prioritize flight attributes like schedule and aircraft size over price, with a preference for home carriers. The research aimed to understand the decision-making process of anxious flyers and its implications for public agencies and the industry.
Long-term sick leave affects doctors' self-esteem and confidence, leading to a professional identity crisis. The authors advocate for cultural change in medical school to promote vulnerability recognition and better coping mechanisms.
Girls who experienced bullying reported lower life satisfaction, self-esteem, and higher anxiety levels. Positive relationships with adults and peers strongly mitigated these negative effects, suggesting a key role for social support in promoting children's well-being.
A study by Joseph Mazer and Andrew M. Ledbetter found that online self-disclosure and social connection attitudes predict compulsive internet use, leading to poor well-being outcomes. Excessive internet users are motivated by efficiency, not anxiety.
McGill researchers identified a small region in the genome linked to psychiatric disease and obesity, specifically through BDNF deletion. The study found that individuals with BDNF deletions exhibited major depression, anxiety, and obesity, with weight gain associated with age.
A comparative analysis of elderly individuals found that benzodiazepine use was associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia. The study recommends limiting prescriptions to periods of a few weeks and ensuring proper use to mitigate potential adverse effects.
A study found a shared genetic link between rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism, a rare movement disorder, and psychiatric problems like anxiety, mood disorders, and substance abuse. Researchers believe the ATP1A3 genetic mutation may contribute to mental illness in individuals with the condition.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that men with high levels of 'cancer-specific anxiety' after prostate cancer surgery are more likely to experience low sexual satisfaction and depression. Counseling may be beneficial in addressing these concerns and improving quality of life for these patients.
A study by University of Missouri researcher Micah Mazurek found that nearly one-fourth of children with ASD also experience chronic gastrointestinal problems, anxiety and sensory sensitivities. These interrelated issues can significantly impact daily life and treatment outcomes for children with autism.
Patients with obstructed heart arteries experience three times more complications when feeling out of control. However, persistent anxiety has little effect on complication rates. Researchers found that giving patients greater control over their heart illness can reduce complications after acute coronary syndrome.
A University of Maryland School of Public Health kinesiology researcher suggests that moderate exercise can help people cope with anxiety and stress for an extended period after the workout. The study found that exercise not only reduces anxiety but also helps maintain that reduced anxiety when confronted with emotional events.
Research at the University of Chicago found that high-achieving students experience math anxiety from an early age, which can disrupt their working memory and negatively impact their math performance. The study suggests that reframing anxiety through writing or expressive picture drawing can help alleviate this effect.
A new study finds that prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with increased maternal stress, depression, and anxiety. Healthy coping mechanisms and partner support are crucial for pregnant women to deal with the emotional impact.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that BPA exposure early in life causes significant gene expression changes associated with anxiety. A soy-rich diet was shown to mitigate these effects in rats, suggesting a potential protective role for soy in reducing the impact of BPA on mental health.
Researchers found that 88% of asthmatics had moderate or intense anxiety levels, compared to 46% in the control group. Balance control was also impaired in asthmatic patients, suggesting a link between balance abnormalities and asthma symptoms.
A study by Dr Denise Fischer found that renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) reduces local and whole-body sympathetic activity and blood pressure. Patients experienced improvements in physical state, mental state, quality of life, anxiety and depression scores after RDN.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that chronic social stress caused by unstable cage composition in adolescent mice led to increased anxiety and poor social interactions in their female offspring. The effects were observed across multiple generations, with stressed male mice also passing on these behaviors to their femal...
Researchers found anxiety is a stronger risk factor for prolonged and frequent sick leave than depression alone. The study, which followed 13,436 participants over six years, also showed that pain can impact the association between common mental disorders and sick leave.
A novel intervention called Emotion Detectives Treatment Protocol (EDTP) has shown significant reductions in anxiety and depression severity after treatment. The program adapts age-appropriate techniques from adult and adolescent protocols to educate children about emotions, problem-solving skills, and behavior activation.
A neuroeconomic review investigates how anxiety disorders impact everyday decision-making processes. The study highlights the overlap between neural systems underlying anxiety and decision-making, suggesting that fear and anxiety can alter choice patterns. Anxious individuals exhibit specific biases in decision making, which may be med...
A study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that phobic anxiety is associated with shortened telomeres, a marker of biological aging. This association suggests that phobic anxiety may be a risk factor for accelerated aging, linked to increased risks of cancers, heart disease, dementia, and mortality.
A new study reports that girls' math performance is more likely to be affected by math anxiety than boys', despite both genders experiencing lower math scores. Higher levels of math anxiety in girls were found to be a significant indicator of their poor performance.
A large Danish cohort study reveals that childless women who undergo fertility evaluations have a higher risk of hospitalizations for psychiatric disorders, particularly anxiety and depression. The study found significant correlations between childlessness and increased rates of substance abuse, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.
Researchers found that rapamycin enhances learning and memory in young mice and improves these faculties in old mice, negating the normal decline with age. The drug also lowered anxiety and depressive-like behavior in the rodents.
Research suggests that high anxiety can make male California mice poor fathers, while stress hormone vasopressin may influence paternal behavior. The study found that anxious males were less likely to approach a pup and had higher levels of vasopressin in their brains.
A NJIT researcher developed a management program to reduce MRSA infections by identifying and leveraging 'positive deviants' - employees who excel at their jobs without being recognized. The study found that top-down support, collaboration, and recognition were key to successful change.
A new treatment method using computers to address childhood anxiety disorders has shown promising results. The Attention Bias Modification (ABM) program, which uses a technique to reduce anxiety by changing thought patterns, was found to be as effective as medication and cognitive therapy for children.
Research using fMRI scans found that sleep loss significantly amplifies anticipatory activity in deep emotional brain centers, especially the amygdala. Participants who were more anxious showed the greatest vulnerability to the aggravating effects of sleep deprivation.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that anxious girls' brains respond more intensely to mistakes, suggesting a potential link between worrying and brain function. The study may help identify girls prone to anxiety problems.
A new study found that nearly all COPD patients have two or more comorbidities, with most having four or more. The presence of these comorbidities can complicate treatment and affect patient outcomes. Future guidelines should address the management of comorbidities in COPD patients.
Researchers discovered a link between the metabolic system and brain activity in anxiety disorders, finding that increasing Glo1 expression lowers methylglyoxal levels, reducing anxiety behaviors. A small molecule inhibitor of Glo1 showed promise in reducing anxiety-like symptoms in mice.
A mouse model showed that GLO1 activity stimulates GABAA receptors, promoting anxious behavior. Inhibition of GLO1 reduces anxious behavior, suggesting it as a potential novel therapeutic target for anxiety disorders and other CNS diseases.
Researchers found unsedated transnasal endoscopy to be a safe and well-tolerated method for screening esophageal disease in a primary care population. The study showed high diagnostic yields, low procedure times, and minimal anxiety, making it an attractive alternative to standard upper endoscopy.
A new study reveals that people's judgements about their depression and anxiety symptoms are influenced by how they rank their own suffering compared to others. This can lead to inaccurate diagnoses, with vulnerable individuals being at higher risk of missed diagnoses due to relative severity perception.
A recent study by CDC researchers found that one-third of US adults with arthritis experience anxiety or depression. Anxiety is nearly twice as common as depression among people with arthritis, despite more focus on the latter mental health condition.
A new study published in PLoS ONE found that anxious mice developed more severe cancer than calm counterparts, with accelerated tumor growth and invasive cancer. The researchers discovered that anxiety is linked to increased levels of immune-suppressing cells and a dampened immune system.
A UBC researcher has developed a two-question screening test to identify anxious kindergarten children, showing 85% effectiveness in predicting future anxiety disorders. The test asks parents about shyness and worrying in their children, and can help intervene early to prevent mental health issues.