Research on anxiety and how to ease it. Covers cognitive-behavior programs, virtual reality, stress-response cells, and health-related worry.
Researchers found that chronic exposure to cortisol, a human stress hormone, contributes to symptoms of depression and anxiety in mice. Mice given chronic doses took longer to emerge from a dark compartment into a brightly lit environment, indicating increased fearfulness.
A recent study found that 33 women (10%) experience symptoms of anxiety and stress after giving birth, independent of postnatal depression. Health practitioners should assess new mothers for broader signs of distress than depression alone to provide adequate care.
A recent study found that many sodas and energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, posing health risks for certain individuals. The FDA recommends a maximum of 65 milligrams per serving, but some energy drinks have up to 141 milligrams, more than double the limit.
A new study shows that D-cycloserine, an antibiotic, significantly reduces social anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing exposure therapy. The research suggests that adding DCS to therapy can lead to strong gains with relatively limited treatment.
Researchers found that different types of negative emotions trigger distinct preferences in decision-making. Anxiety prefers safer options with control, while sadness favors more rewarding and comforting choices. Even when the cause of negative emotions is known, decisions related to that cause can still be affected by the emotions.
Researchers found that anxious fathers can increase a mother's pain experience after a caesarean delivery. Preparing the birth partner through antenatal classes and pre-operation support may reduce post-operative pain and improve the birth experience.
A study by Wake Forest University found that Latino men experiencing family-related ambivalence during migration are more likely to suffer from anxiety. The researchers suggest enhancing communication between migrants and their families could help address mental health needs.
Cyclical vomiting syndrome affects adults with recurring episodes of incapacitating nausea and vomiting, often triggered by panic attacks. The disorder originates in the central nervous system, not the abdomen, and can be challenging to diagnose due to its unique clinical pattern.
A recent study published in Neurology found that epilepsy surgery significantly improves mental health outcomes for patients. After the surgery, 9% of participants met the criteria for depression, compared to 22% before surgery. The study suggests removing dysfunctional brain areas may be critical to improving mental well-being.
Women who had an abortion experienced more mental distress in the long term compared to those who had a miscarriage. They also reported higher levels of anxiety and felt guilty or ashamed about their decision.
A new study found that telephone-based care management significantly improves symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as mental health-related quality of life. The intervention resulted in fewer missed workdays and lower emergency room usage among participants.
Public anxiety about a human influenza pandemic can be stemmed by governments acting transparently and issuing guidance on disease protection. This approach enables people to trust their leaders and adhere to health advice during an outbreak.
Rutgers researcher Shumyatsky has identified a new gene that controls both learned and innate fear, which may lead to the development of new anti-anxiety agents. The discovery was made through a combination of mouse genetics, cellular electrophysiology, and behavior studies.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that hamsters exposed to limited daylight before birth exhibited increased depressive symptoms as adults. The study suggests a link between seasonal light exposure, sex, and depression in hamsters, providing potential insight into human seasonal affective disorder.
Researchers found that a 12-minute visit with dogs significantly lowered blood pressure, released less harmful hormones, and reduced anxiety among hospitalized heart failure patients. This study demonstrates the benefits of animal-assisted therapy as an adjunct to medical treatment for these patients.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that mental illnesses like depression and anxiety cause workers to work fewer hours, take more disability time, and be less productive. Employers can combat these costs by providing quality psychiatric evaluations and treatment plans.
A study assessing anxiety, depression, and quality of life in Greek patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy found that nearly a third experienced severe emotional distress. Routine screening for emotional distress is recommended to identify patients in need of psychological or pharmaceutical intervention. Additionally, research on...
Researchers discovered 17 genes linked to human anxiety disorders, with many enzymes playing a crucial role in their function. This breakthrough study provides new hope for understanding and treating anxiety-related behaviors.
A recent study found that children with asthma are more likely to experience social functioning issues, depression, and anxiety. Children with higher levels of anxiety or depression tend to have poorer interpersonal relationships and fewer friends.
A study found that anxiety, blood pressure readings and responses to a heat test before surgery can predict post-surgical pain severity and medication requirements. The researchers identified six groups of predictive factors accounting for 90% of the total variances in patients' pain levels.
A study found that nearly 28% of Americans, or about 76.5 million, live in foreign-stock households, where at least one family member is born abroad. The researchers identified seven household types, showing a more dispersed population than previously thought.
The Penn State Earth and Mineral Sciences Library launched a geocache treasure hunt as an orientation tool for freshmen. Participants used GPS coordinates to locate the cache, which was hidden in plain sight within the library. The hunt incorporated library knowledge, including the Library of Congress classification system.
A large-scale study found that women experiencing burnout have elevated levels of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP), associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Men experiencing depression also showed higher levels of CRP and fibrinogen, linking emotional states to inflammation-related health problems
A new study reveals that decreased CREB gene function in the brain's central amygdala is involved in anxiety and excessive alcohol drinking behavior. This genetic determinant creates a vulnerable neural substrate that interacts with alcohol to create abuse potential.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found a link between a brain protein called CREB and anxiety-related behaviors in rats. Lower levels of CREB were associated with high anxiety and increased alcohol consumption in genetically predisposed rats, suggesting that drinking may be used as a self-medication strategy.
Researchers found that rats bred to prefer alcohol showed more anxiety-like behaviors and drank more alcohol. Reduced anxiety was associated with increased CREB function, suggesting a potential target for therapy.
Researchers found increased serotonin receptor binding in women who recovered from bulimia-type anorexia nervosa, but not restricting-type. This suggests altered serotonin pathways may contribute to anxiety symptoms and eating disorders.
A Mayo Clinic study found acupuncture significantly improves symptoms of pain, fatigue, and anxiety in patients with moderate to severe fibromyalgia. The treatment showed promise as an additive therapy to existing medications.
Co-occurring anxiety disorders, particularly social phobia and panic disorder, increase the risk of relapse to drinking. Screening for these conditions is essential in alcoholism treatment settings.
Men with severe anxiety/nervousness face nine-fold higher risk of attempted suicide compared to those without such issues. Long-term studies in Sweden reveal a significant correlation between reported anxiety and increased mortality rates from all causes.
A study of 5,364 patients found that knee pain is often accompanied by pain in other joints, leading to poorer general and psychological health. The results suggest that managing pain in one region can have beneficial effects on overall perception of pain.
A study by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that patients learned more facts from educational videos than from their doctors during a clinic visit. However, the video was less effective in reducing anxiety and stress levels compared to face-to-face interactions with their doctors.
Research by Dr Rosa Alati links heavy drinking to higher rates of anxiety and depression in women. Contrary to previous findings, the study suggests that moderate drinking is associated with lower symptoms of mental illness when women are in their early 30s.
Researchers analyzed how mortality salience affects consumer behavior, particularly in food choice and charitable donations, highlighting the role of self-esteem as a buffer against existential anxiety. The study concludes that individuals respond differently to mortality salience based on their sources of self-esteem.
A study found that pregnant women who are more fatigued, stressed, or anxious tend to eat more carbohydrates and certain nutrients, while others may consume less. The research highlights the importance of considering psychosocial factors when counseling pregnant women on diet during pregnancy.
A recent Kansas State University graduate found that compliments can ease women's anxiety over their looks by reducing shame about their bodies. Research shows that kind words, regardless of physical appearance, can improve self-image and reduce the likelihood of depression.
A study found that feelings of threat lead to increased support for US military intervention, restrictions on foreign visitors, and increased surveillance. The authors also discovered a link between anxiety and opposition to military action, but not to policies targeting Arabs.
A study found that support groups improved depression symptoms and lessened death anxiety in patients with serious medical conditions, leading to better spiritual well-being. Patients were divided into three groups and received either standard care or participated in monthly support group meetings discussing challenging issues.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found changes in GABAA receptors linked to seizures and anxiety during the menstrual cycle. The researchers suggest that these changes may be relevant to post-partum depression and mood swings during pregnancy, and could provide novel therapeutic targets for PMS and catamenial epilepsy.
A study of NYC public school children found a high proportion had a probable mental disorder six months after the 9/11 attack. The severity of exposure was related to disorder rates, with family exposure being a stronger factor than direct exposure.
A study at Mayo Clinic found an association between anxious and pessimistic personality types and the future development of Parkinson's disease. Individuals with these personality traits have a higher risk of developing the disease, but the exact reason for this link remains unclear.
A study found that a functional variant of a histamine-metabolizing enzyme is associated with higher frequencies of the allele in alcoholics, suggesting it may increase vulnerability to alcoholism. In contrast, carriers of the Ile105 allele are protected against developing alcoholism due to lower levels of anxiety.
Researchers found a significant association between depression and ventricular tachycardia, a precursor to sudden cardiac death, in hospitalized heart attack patients. The risk of ventricular tachycardia increased with increased levels of depression.
A study of 150 subjects found that listening to a relaxation tape prior to and during mammography did not decrease women's feelings of pain and anxiety. In fact, virtually none of the participants experienced pain or anxiety during the test, contradicting previous studies that attributed non-compliance to pain.
A study of 69 patients with rectal tumors found that carefree individuals took longer to recognize cancer symptoms due to low anxiety sensitivity. They also reported better overall health despite being seriously ill. The research suggests a different approach is needed to encourage these individuals to seek medical attention.
A Yale University study found that children with increased preoperative anxiety are more likely to experience delirium and new maladaptive behavioral changes after surgery. Children who are younger, more emotional, and less social are at high risk of developing these issues.
Researchers used fMRI to capture the brain's unconscious emotional processing of fearful faces, revealing activity in the amygdala and cortex. The study found that anxious individuals showed more brain activity, indicating a biological basis for unconscious emotional vigilance.
A unique three-year project found that genetic screening can lead to uncertainty and anxiety among individuals at risk, while those with symptoms face difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. Researchers call for urgent attention from health policymakers to address these issues and ensure accessible care.
Researchers found that people with higher anxiety tend to react more quickly to fearful faces, indicating heightened emotional vigilance. The study also pinpoints the basolateral region of the amygdala as crucial for unconscious processing of threats.
The NYU Child Study Center is launching a new education campaign called Healthy Kids, Happy Futures to assist New York area Pediatricians in dealing with child mental health issues. The program will provide public education sessions and in-office education for recognizing signs of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Researchers have developed a new procedure using sedative midazolam and gases that has been successfully used to treat children with extreme dental problems, avoiding the risks associated with traditional general anaesthesia. The technique offers a viable alternative for specialist practices to reduce hospital waiting lists and free beds.
A four-year study of 1,222 caregiver-patient pairs found that caregivers who institutionalized their loved ones experienced similar symptoms of depression and anxiety as those who cared for them at home. Cognitive and functional declines in patients are common, leading to feelings of guilt and self-blame among caregivers.
Neuropeptide S promotes arousal and anxiolytic-like effects, regulating sleep-wake cycles and anxiety. The discovery may help understand sleep disorders and pathological states of anxiety.
A UCI study discovered a new brain protein, NPS, that regulates sleep and anxiety. The findings suggest that NPS can be a target for new drugs to treat sleep disorders and anxiety.
Research suggests that depression significantly impacts life satisfaction, while anxiety has a minimal effect. A disposition to be cheerful is more important for happiness than external factors like success or popularity.
A new study led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that imagining a favorite place reduced pain in children after surgery. The study used audio tapes and video tapes to help children manage their anxiety and pain, suggesting a potential multi-faceted approach to pain management.
A nationally representative survey of 799 Afghan adult household members found high prevalence of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Women and disabled respondents had significantly poorer mental health status than men and nondisabled counterparts.
A study found that high maternal anxiety during a specific period in pregnancy (12-22 weeks) can program the fetus's brain, increasing susceptibility to childhood disorders. This effect was more pronounced than other factors such as smoking or low birthweight.
A Temple University study found that training nurses on end-of-life care can temporarily boost anxiety about death, but this effect wanes over time. The research suggests that repeated educational programs may be necessary to help nurses manage their anxiety in the long term.
The BOLDER trial found SEROQUEL significantly reduces anxiety symptoms in bipolar depression patients within the first week of treatment. It also improves depressive symptoms and is well-tolerated with a favorable side effect profile.