Building off previous groundbreaking research, a new study identifies genetic variants that have significant impacts on brain development and are shared across eight different psychiatric disorders.
Tag: Anxiety
Experts offer advice to college students, instructors coping with end of semester stress
The holidays have arrived, but West Virginia University students, faculty and staff — like their counterparts on other campuses — have finals week to get through before the real celebrations can start. To help support students and other University community…
Holiday fun: A trigger for anxiety?
Anxiety is the number one mental disorder in the United States. University of Miami researchers share ways to mitigate it during the holiday season.
Health tips and lookouts to help you power through the holiday season
Whether it’s overeating, catching an illness or feeling stress or sheer exhaustion, a busy calendar of holiday festivities can take a toll on health, says Safia Debar, MBBS, a general practitioner and stress management expert at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London.
Truck drivers need tailored health supports to Keep on Truckin’
It might seem out of place on the side of a highway, but purpose-built exercise equipment installed at truck stops across Australia could be just the thing to encourage truck drivers to take a break and take control of their health and wellbeing.
Worried about a pregnant woman’s stress and mental health? Her saliva may hold the key.
New research out of Michigan State University found that the number and type of microbes present in the saliva of pregnant women differ according to whether they are experiencing life stress and symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Experts Weigh in on How to Cope with Election Stress
The stakes are high this election and so is the anxiety. According to the American Psychological Association, 77% of American adults said the future of the nation is a “significant source of stress in their lives.” Compared to the previous…
Report Shows 69 Percent of American Adults are Stressed About the Election
The stakes are high this election and so is the anxiety. According to the American Psychological Association, 69 percent of American adults said the 2024 presidential election is a significant source of stress. With election day almost a week away,…
Among Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder, Improving Sleep May Lead to More Positive Mood and Less Frequent Heavy Drinking
Negative emotions may help explain the link between insomnia and dangerous drinking, according to a small study involving veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The findings provide new insight into why insomnia might be linked AUD. Insomnia symptoms are highly prevalent in people with substance use disorders (SUDs). Among veterans with AUD, for example, almost 2 in 3 experience insomnia.
Aumenta la necesidad de derivaciones psicológicas para niños con alergias alimentarias
Con el aumento de la incidencia de alergias alimentarias en los niños en la última década, ha habido un aumento correspondiente en la necesidad de servicios de psicología profesional debido al aumento de la ansiedad. Un nuevo estudio que se presentará en la Reunión Científica Anual del Colegio Americano de Alergia, Asma e Inmunología (ACAAI) de este año en Boston mostró un aumento de más del 50% en las derivaciones a psicólogos en un centro en 2023 en comparación con las derivaciones anuales de 2018 a 2022.
Need for Psychology Referrals Increasing for Children with Food Allergies
With the rise in incidence of food allergies in children in the past decade, there has been a corresponding increase in the need for professional psychology services due to increased anxiety. A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston showed a more than 50% increase in psychology referrals at one center in 2023 compared to yearly referrals from 2018-2022.
Easy-to-use tool helps screen for anxiety, depression in children having surgery
A new, computerized, mental health assessment tool may allow doctors to quickly identify children experiencing anxiety or depression before surgery, suggests new research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2024 annual meeting.
Listening to Music May Speed Up Recovery from Surgery
Looking for a creative way to quicken your recovery from surgery? The key may be found in listening to music, according to research presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2024 in San Fransisco, California.
Multi-state center provides mental health support for farmers, agricultural workers
Agricultural producers and farm workers experience stressful working conditions that result in anxiety and depression at higher rates than the general population. At the same time, access to mental health care is often lacking in rural areas. In response, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded four regional farm and ranch stress assistance networks in 2019.
Study explores stress, social support, and mental health for men and women farmers
Agriculture is a stressful occupation, and farmers struggle with anxiety and depression at higher levels than the general population. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines differences in mental health challenges for men and women farmers, focusing on the role of social support in mitigating stress.
Experts offer advice for supporting children’s mental health
Prioritizing mental health is not only important for adults, but for children as well. “Stress and anxiety are normal parts of life that we all experience in order to keep us safe,” said Samantha Kempker-Margherio, assistant professor of psychology in Virginia Tech’s College of Science.
COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teenage brains, UW study shows
New research from the University of Washington found lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unusually accelerated brain maturation in adolescents. This maturation was more pronounced in girls. When measured in terms of the number of years of accelerated brain development, the mean acceleration was 4.2 years in females and 1.4 years in males.
Physical health has its yardsticks. Mental health is still searching for the right ruler
A national initiative led by the National Institutes for Mental Health is now underway to find figurative “rulers” that can accurately measure and compare the quality of the various mental health treatments available.
Brain Shows Changes in Regions Associated with Anxiety after Quitting Alcohol
Certain regions of the brain show changes during the early stages after quitting drinking that may contribute to increased anxiety and relapse rates in people attempting recovery from alcohol use disorder, according to a study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.
MSU study finds placebos reduce stress, anxiety, depression — even when people know they are placebos
A study out of Michigan State University found that nondeceptive placebos, or placebos given with people fully knowing they are placebos, effectively manage stress — even when the placebos are administered remotely.
Mental health and chronic diabetes complications strongly linked both ways, study finds
When a person has chronic diabetes complications – such as heart attack, stroke and nerve damage – they are more likely to have a mental health disorder, and vice versa, according to a study. Researchers say the findings highlight a need for clinicians to actively screen for mental health disorders in patients with diabetes in addition to screening for chronic complications, which is the recommended standard of care in diabetes.
Growth from Adversity: How Older Adults Bounced Back from COVID-19 Pandemic
The study highlights the remarkable resilience of older adults (median age 86) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions to their routines led many to discover new hobbies like gardening and painting and explore virtual activities such as online yoga.
Thriving in the Transition: Tips on Preparing for College Life
Whether a student is moving onto campus for the first time or commuting from home, the transition from high school to college can challenging. Stephanie Marcello, chief psychologist at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, discusses how first-year students – and their parents – can prepare to manage the stressors that accompany this life stage.
Would banning cell phones on California schools help address students’ mental health? Child psychologist weighs in
As the school year kicked off in California this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging more campuses to adopt bans on cell phone usage to address a growing mental health crisis among students. Proponents say such bans would work to…
Why student cellphone restrictions may benefit your child
As students begin a new school year, school district officials across California are considering or establishing cellphone-use restrictions on campus. Their reasoning? Increased screen time, along with prolonged social media use, may disrupt the learning environment, stunt social development and harm students’ mental health, they say.
How did mental health parity laws affect new moms?
Pregnant and postpartum women with depression and anxiety have a slightly better chance of getting psychotherapy these days, a new study finds. And they are paying less of their own money when they do. A new analysis looks at the impact of two major health policies.
Even Indirect Gun Violence Exposure Linked to Decreased Quality of Life
Study Reveals Widespread Impact of Gun Violence on Community Well-being.
Mental Health-Related Emergency Room Trips Declined Significantly After Illinois Ended COVID-19 Lockdown
• After the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, ER visits and admission rates fell to pre-2016 rates during the 39 months after the pandemic
• Lower rates of ER visits may be related to wider use of telemedicine, crisis hotlines and better mental health care, as well as increased awareness
Your Best Friend From High School? Here’s Why Their Genes Mattered
Peer social genetic effects – the influence of a social partner’s genotype on the observable traits of another – influence risk for addiction and psychiatric disorders later in life, a Rutgers researcher finds
Upfront mental health supports for men with prostate cancer
Mental health screenings must be incorporated in routine prostate cancer diagnoses say University of South Australia researchers. The call follows new research that shows men need more supports both during and immediately after a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Lurie Children’s Hospital Launches App to Help Manage Challenging Behaviors in Toddlers and Preschoolers
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago recently launched a free app called Little Lessons that provides credible, evidence-based tips on managing challenging behaviors in toddlers and preschoolers.
Mental health apps may help those waiting for care, study finds
The recent surge in people seeking mental health care across the country has led to long wait times for first appointments with therapists and psychiatrists. Now, a new study offers hope that while they wait to get care, patients could still get some relief by using evidence-based smartphone apps and wearable devices to track sleep and activity.
From ‘trial and error’ to targeted precision: $17.9M grant accelerates mental health research
A major new grant will fund a study enrolling thousands of people from the time they schedule a mental health appointment, and gather data that could form the basis for precisely targeted treatment in future.
Postpartum urinary incontinence linked to mental health
A UT Southwestern Medical Center study of hundreds of underserved women showed that depression and anxiety, in addition to physical factors such as a higher body mass index and previous births, are associated with lingering postpartum urinary incontinence.
Playing youth sports linked to better mental health in adults
Adults who continuously played organized sports through their youth have fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who never played or those who dropped out, a new study finds. And those who dropped out of sports had poorer mental health than those who never played at all.
Confronting trauma alleviates chronic pain among older veterans
A new study led by UCLA Health and the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office found chronic pain among older adults could be significantly reduced through a newly developed psychotherapy that works by confronting past trauma and stress-related emotions that can exacerbate pain symptoms.
American Society of Anesthesiologists Launches ‘SafeHaven’ to Deliver Resources to Combat Burnout, Promote Mental Health
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) today announced the launch of its new wellness initiative SafeHaven, a program created by clinicians for clinicians, offering personalized assistance to help combat stress and burnout. ASA, in partnership with the ASA Charitable Foundation and VITAL WorkLife, the leading mental health and well-being expert for health care organizations and their workforces, are providing the resource to anesthesiologists at a time when reports of physician burnout are at an all-time high.
Psilera to Unveil New Data on Lead Clinical Asset at the BIO International Conference on June 5th
Ground-breaking preclinical data on next-generation psychedelic, PSIL-006, reveals therapeutic benefits in depression, anxiety, cognition, and sleep cycle restoration while eliminating hallucinations.
A Mediterranean diet can ease symptoms of stress and anxiety
It’s no secret that the Mediterranean diet is good for your health. Already recommended to reduce the risks of bowel cancer, heart disease, and dementia, new research from the University of South Australia shows that the Mediterranean diet can also reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Experts and Patients Available for Interviews on Trending Issues
Pitch of experts and patients regarding mental health awareness month
Coping in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be one of the most stressful, pivotal moments in an individual’s life. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Fred Hutch social psychologist and researcher Megan J. Shen, PhD, shares tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis and how patients and their caregivers can navigate appointments with their oncologists.
Magic mushrooms can treat medication-resistant depression. But are they safe?
Commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms,” psilocybin is a promising alternative treatment for people with medication-resistant depression and anxiety.
Psychologist develops digital mental health program for children of divorce
A lecturer in psychology at Binghamton University, State University of New York has created a program named Children of Divorce – Coping with Divorce (CoD-CoD) to help youth develop better coping skills through their parents’ separation.
Helping diverse populations with the psychosocial impacts of cancer
A University of Delaware professor is testing interventions that address the psychosocial needs of African American patients with cancer and their families, with the goal of boosting communication skills and decreasing anxiety and depression for children whose parents have cancer.
Feeding the lonely brain
Study finds that lonely women experienced increased activation in regions of the brain associated with food cravings.
Rapid rise seen in mental health diagnosis and care during and after pregnancy
Mental health issues during pregnancy or the first year of parenthood have a much greater chance of getting detected and treated now than just over a decade ago, a trio of new studies suggests. But the rise in diagnosis and care hasn’t happened equally across different groups and states.
Hormones, Anxiety, Video Games, and DNA: Autism Research and Experts Available
Hormones, Anxiety, Video Games, and DNA: Autism Research and Experts Available
Recent articles and Expert Profiles on Autism for media covering Autism Awareness Month in April
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Study Shows Negative Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Youth Minority Mental Health
Recent historical, political and public health events, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic, have collectively contributed to increased stress and mental health challenges among many groups of people — including adolescents in racial and ethnic minorities.
Simon Driver, PhD, at Baylor Scott & White Health, discusses preventing traumatic brain injuries.
Simon Driver, PhD, at Baylor Scott & White Health, discusses traumatic brain injuries. What You Need to Know: A traumatic brain injury is a blow or jolt to the body or head. Common traumatic brain injuries occur during vehicle accidents,…
twist on theatre sports could counteract a stutter
Mock ‘Ninja knife throwing’, ‘Gibberish’, or the fast and furious ‘Zap’ – they’re all favourite theatre games designed to break ice and boost confidence. But add speech therapy to theatre sports and you get a brand-new experience that’s hoping to deliver positive changes for people with a stutter.