Fast Foods' Depression Connection

According to a recent study, eating fast foods, defined as commercial baked goods (fairy cakes, croissants, doughnuts, etc.) and fast food (hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza), is linked to depression. (Public Health Nutrition, 2011; 15 (03): 424) Read more. 

Anxiety Sniffs Out Danger

Anxious people have a heightened sense of smell when it comes to sniffing out a threat, according to a new study. In animals, the sense of smell is an essential tool to detect, locate and identify predators in the surrounding environment. In fact, the olfactory-mediated defense system is so prominent in animals, that the mere presence of predator odors can evoke potent fear and anxiety responses. (Chemosensory Perception, 2012; 5 (1): 37) Read more.

Power of the Placebo for Antidepressants

A recent study suggests that how the brain responds to antidepressant medication may be influenced by its memory of past antidepressant exposure. Researchers using a placebo to track previous antidepressants found that a pill made to look like actual medication for depression can trick the brain to respond as it did to actual medication. (European Neuropsychopharmacology, published online March 23, 2012) Read more.

Testosterone’s Antidepressant Effects

Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, appears to have antidepressant properties, and how and where these effects occur may lead to development of future antidepressant therapies. Scientists have identified a specific pathway in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory formation and regulation of stress responses, that plays a major role in mediating testosterone's effects. (Biological Psychiatry, 2012; 71 (7): 642) Read more.

Genes Linked to PTSD

Scientists have linked two genes involved in producing serotonin to a higher risk of developing PTSD, suggesting that susceptibility to the disorder is inherited and leading to new ways of screening for the disorder and treating it. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online April 3, 2012) Read more.

Mothers Critical of Their Kids With OCD

Research shows that mothers tend to be more critical of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) than they are of other children in the family, and this parental behavior is linked to poorer outcomes for the child after treatment. (Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 2012, (43)3: 337-353) Read more. 

Late Depression Links to Dementia Risk

Researchers report that depression that occurs for the first time late in life may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. But depression striking in midlife that recurs later may be a cause of vascular dementia. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2012; 69(5): 493-498). Read more.

Found: Gene Leading to Weight Gain With Antipsychotic Treatment

In the first study of its kind, researchers have identified a gene that increases weight gain in those treated with commonly used second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) drugs. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online May 2012) Read more. 

Genetic Biomarker for PTSD

Researchers have found a biomarker for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Two gene variations ( TPH1 and TPH2), which control serotonin production, were associated with PTSD symptoms. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online April 5) Read more. 

Arthritis, Anxiety, and Depression

A new study of adults diagnosed with arthritis finds that 31 percent have anxiety and 18 percent have depression. But only half those with anxiety and depression had sought treatment in the previous year. (Arthritis Care & Research, published online April 30, 2012) Read more.

Content Overweight Teens Less Depressed

A study has found that overweight adolescent girls who are happy with the size and shape of their bodies report higher levels of self-esteem, possibly protecting them from depression, anxiety, or anger at times associated with being overweight. (Journal of Adolescent Health, June 2012) Read more.

Anxiety Increases Cancer in Mice

In a new study, highly anxious mice developed more severe cancer than less anxious mouse subjects. Along with sensitivity to chronic stress, high anxiety came with compromised immune system. This study is the first to biologically connect the personality trait of high anxiety to greater cancer threats. (PLoS ONE, published online April 25) Read more. 

Possible Alternative Cause, Drug Target for Depression

A self-degradation response to the antidepressant Zoloft in yeast cells observed by researchers could provide knowledge about how antidepressants work, as well as suggest that depression is not linked only to the neurotransmitter serotonin. The study shows significant evidence that antidepressants do more than regulate serotonin. (PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (4) Read more.

Treatment for Depression After Unsatisfactory Response to SSRIs

A comparative-effectiveness review that examines the evidence guiding clinical treatment decisions to aid clinicians in their care of patients when SSRI therapy for an initial episode does not result in an adequate treatment response. (Agency for Healthcare Research Quality) Read more.

Blood Pressure Drug Effective for Treating PTSD-Related Nightmares

Mayo Clinic researchers have found the use of the blood pressure drug prazosin as an effective treatment to curb posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related nightmares. The drug was well-tolerated and can take effect within days to weeks. (Presentation, 20th European Congress of Psychiatry in Prague) Read more.

Immune System to Blame for Stress Rise in Blood Pressure

The effects of chronic stress on cardiovascular health may be a side effect of an immune system that defends against infection. T cells, helpful for fighting infections, also show an increase in blood pressure after a period of psychological stress. These findings have potential implications for treating both high blood pressure and anxiety disorders. (Biological Psychiatry, published online 21 February 2012) Read more.

Depression: Perhaps an Evolutionary Immune System Byproduct

Biologists propose several theories to account for how depression, or behaviors linked to it, can somehow offer an evolutionary advantage. Two psychiatrists propose that genetic variations that promote depression have evolved to also help early humans fight infection. (Molecular Psychiatry, published online 31 January 2012) Read more. 

Stress Changes Decision-making

New research reveals that that people who are under stress pay more attention to the upside of a possible outcome. In other words, stress makes people focus on the way things could go right, helping them weigh the risks and rewards. (Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2012; 21(1):36) Read more.

Novel Treatment for Anxiety in Children

Known to be helpful to adults, attention bias modification (ABM) used with clinically anxious children can reduce their anxiety level, new research suggests, leading to an effective option in treating pediatric anxiety disorders. (American Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;169:118-120;213-220) Read more.

Phobias Make Feared Objects Appear Greater, More Persistent

The more afraid a person is of a spider, the bigger that individual perceives the spider to be, new research suggests. Understanding how a phobia affects the perception of feared objects can help clinicians create effective treatments for people who wish to overcome their phobias. (Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 2012; 26 (1): 20) Read more. 

Brain Injury Linked to Higher Risk for PTSD, Anxiety Disorders

Scientists have produced evidence of a causal link between traumatic brain injury and an increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Individuals who experience even a mild traumatic brain injury face a higher risk for developing an anxiety disorder and are advised to try to avoid stressful situations at least for awhile. (Biological Psychology, 71(4):335-343) Read more. 

Depression Linked To Adolescent Bullying

New research suggests that teens suffering from depression are at a greater risk of being bullied because they have difficulties establishing friendships among peers. Problematic peer relationships in the study did not drive depression, the study indicates that depression symptoms predicted negative peer relationships. (Child Development, published online February 2012) Read more.

Increase in Antidepressant Prescriptions by Nonpsychiatrists and for Nonpsychiatric Diagnoses

Antidepressants account for the third most commonly prescribed class of medication in the U.S. A new study cites that the proportion of patient visits to non-psychiatric physicians prescribing antidepressants without a psychiatric diagnosis grew from 59.5 percent in 1996 to 72.7 percent in 2007. (Health Affairs, 30(8):1434-1442) Read more.

Genetic Clues to Anxiety Disorders Uncovered

Researchers have discovered how genes play a role in making some people more sensitive and others more resilient to anxiety-related disorders, including PTSD. Genetic evidence shows a connection between the amygdala – the portion of the brain storing unconscious fears  – and the prefrontal cortex, which enables the inhibition of excessive fear to better react to potential danger.  (PLoS ONE, 7(2) Read more. 

Best Medicine for a Stressed Worker

Workers who experience the stress of intense workdays might develop stomachache or headache, which may lead to taking sick days. But when a supervisor offers emotional and instrumental support, employees are more likely to recover without taking time off.  (European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, published online Medical News Today, 8 Feb. 2012.) Read more.

Antidepressants and Risk of Falls in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Compared to similar people who don't take them, nursing home residents with dementia who take average doses of a class of drugs used to treat depression are three times more likely to have an injurious fall. (British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, published online February 15, 2012) Read more.

No Link Between Antidepressant and Suicide in Youths

A new analysis of clinical trial data finds that treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine did not increase—or decrease—suicidality in children compared to placebo treatment. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online February 6, 2012) Read more.

Insomnia, SSRI Treatment in Depressed Youth

Most youth with depression has report insomnia. A recent study shows that adolescents with substantial insomnia were less likely to respond to treatment with antidepressants than those without insomnia. But children were more responsive to fluoxetine when they had insomnia. (Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, published online January 18, 2012) Read more.

Sex Differences in the Network Mediating Fear Learning and Extinction

With implications for anxiety disorders, substantial data indicate that structural, cellular, and molecular differences exist between the male and female brain regions, specifically the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, important for cognition, memory, and affect. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders. 2012, 2:3) Read more.

CBT Not as Effective in Older Adults

A new study shows that cognitive-behavioral therapy appears to help older adults with anxiety disorders slightly better than other therapies, but not as well as in younger adults. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, published online January 27, 2012) Read more.

Childhood Cues May Be Precursor to Adult OCD

Rituals and sensory hypersensitivities in a child may serve as early warning signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults, according to the results of two studies. (Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 2012;43: 679-684) Read more. 

Family Violence Changes Children’s Brains

Similar to the way combat affects soldiers, exposure to family violence affects the brains of children, according to a recent study. Chronic stress was found to affect the amygdala and the anterior insula. (Current Biology, 21(23):R947-948, 6 Dec. 2011) Read more. 

Research Reveals Role of Subconscious in Fear

A recent study shows that human primitive response to fear can contradict conscious assessment of danger. The findings may affect how phobias and other anxiety disorders are treated and also suggest that humans share a primitive response to fear with other animals, in spite of being able to anticipate and assess danger consciously. (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behaviour Processes, published online 16 January 2012) Read more.

Treatment for Diabetes and Depression Improves Both

Patients treated simultaneously for Type 2 diabetes and depression improve medication compliance and significantly improve blood sugar and depression levels, compared to patients receiving usual care. (The Annals of Family Medicine, 2012; 10 (1): 15) Read more. 

Expert Clinician Survey on Best Practices for Complex PTSD Treatment

This study provides a summary of the results of an expert opinion survey initiated by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Complex Trauma Task Force regarding best practices for the treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24(6): 615–627) Read more. 

Blogging Therapeutic for Teens With Social Anxiety

Blogging, according to researchers, may psychologically benefit teens suffering from social anxiety, improving their self-esteem and helping them relate better to their friends. Online exposure shows to be more effective than private diary writing. (Psychological Services, published online Dec. 12, 2011) Read more.

Brain Anomaly in People With Family History of Major Depressive Disorder

A recent study indicates that family risk for major depressive disorder is associated with differences in activation in several distinct parts of the brain. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, 2012, 2:1, published online Jan. 12.) Read more.

PTSD’s Link to Respiratory Illness in WTC First Responders

More than 10 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a study illustrates that PTSD may play a significant and complex role in respiratory illnesses among first responders to the World Trade Center. (Psychological Medicine, published online 18 November 2011) Read more.

Music Soothes the Anxious Brain

A new study concludes that listening to music can be effective for reducing pain in people with high-anxiety who can easily become distracted by cognitive activities. (Journal of Pain, 2011; 12 (12):1262) Read more. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105161750.htm

Low Vitamin D and Depression

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to cardiovascular diseases, neurological ailments, and now depression, according to a new study. (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(11):1050-1055) Read more.

Top 10 Mental Health Research Advances in 2011

Discover the 10 breakthroughs and events that are changing the landscape of mental health research in 2011, according to Thomas Insel, MD, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Early-Pregnancy Stress May Lead to Decline in Male Births

A study investigating the effect on pregnant women of the stress caused by the 2005 Tarapaca earthquake in Chile, suggest that during the second and third months of pregnancy stress may shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of preterm births, and affect the ratio of boys (fewer) to girls being born. (Human Reproduction, published online December 7, 2011) Read more.

Babies: No Stress, Few Allergies

A new study shows that infants with low concentrations of the stress-related hormone cortisol in their saliva develop fewer allergies than other infants. (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2011; 128(6): 1335) Read more.

Panic Attacks and Triathlon Deaths

It’s common for people to have panic attacks during the swim leg of triathlons, according to a David Brown, a physician Washington Post journalist, and triathlete. He hypothesizes that panic attacks may be the reason. Read more. 

Genetic Link to Separation Anxiety

A mouse study has led scientists to identify a gene linked to separation anxiety in children with the rare genetic disorder 7q11.23 duplication syndrome (Dup7q11.23). Presented at the Society for Neuroscience annual scientific conference, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Read more.

Gene Variants Boost PTSD Risk After Mass Shooting

College students exposed to a mass shooting were 20 to 30 percent more likely to develop symptoms of PTSD if they have a risk version of a gene, according to new research. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online Sept. 5, 2011) Read more.

Lifetime Psychological Traumas Linked to Adult IBS

Deaths of loved ones, divorce, natural disasters, house fires, car accidents, physical or mental abuse, or other psychological and emotional traumas experienced over a lifetime may contribute irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults, according to the results of a study presented at the most recent American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) annual meeting. Read more.

New Insight for Preventing Posttraumatic Fear Relapse

Researchers have identified brain circuits in rats that are responsible for the return of fear after it has been suppressed behaviorally. The findings involve extinction, a process central to behavioral therapies for anxiety disorders; repeated exposure of a feared stimulus gradually decreases anxiety, an approach commonly used to treat PTSD in military veterans. (The Journal of Neuroscience, 23 November 2011, 31(47):17269-17277) Read more. 

FDA Update: SSRI Use During Pregnancy

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has reviewed new study results on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) by pregnant women regarding the potential risk of the rare heart and lung condition persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, or PPHN. The agency finds that it’s premature to reach any conclusion about a link between SSRI use in pregnancy and PPHN. FDA will update the SSRI drug labels to reflect the new data. Read more. 

Anxiety, Comorbid Depression Linked to Frequent Insomnia

Insomnia is often associated with anxiety disorders, as well as comorbid depression, according to a study on the sleep habits of more than 94,000 Americans; anti-anxiety medication often provides relief from sleep deprivation as well as anxiety. The preliminary findings of the study were presented at the American Psychiatric Association 2011 Institute on Psychiatric Services (APA-IPS), (Medscape Medical News, published online November 2011) Read more. 

Depression and Chronic Stress Accelerate Aging

People with recurrent depressions or those exposed to chronic stress exhibit shorter telomeres (outermost part of the chromosome) in white blood cells. With increasing age, telomeres shorten, and studies have shown that oxidative stress and inflammation accelerate shortening. Shorter telomere length has also been associated with recurrent depression and cortisol levels indicating exposure to chronic stress. (Biological Psychiatry, published online November 2011) Read more.

Connectivity Problems in Depressed Brains

New research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed aberrant connectivity in depressed brains. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, published online 8 December 2011) Read more. 

High Magnesium Intake to Reduce Fear and Anxiety

New research indicates that supplemental magnesium may enhance the brain’s ability to reduce fear and anxiety responses, making way for a possible supplemental treatment for social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, specific phobias, and others. (The Journal of Neuroscience, 19 October 2011, 31(42):14871-14881) Read more. 

Prenatal Experience Holds Clues to Later Risk of Depression

Factors of fetal development may help identify offspring, particularly females, who are susceptible to the co-occurrence of major depression and cardiovascular disease decades alter, according to a study presented at the 2011 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference. (These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.) Read more.

Depression Can Lead to Heart Disease

Recent research suggests that those who suffer from a mood disorder may be twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who are not depressed. The findings highlight the importance of testing for cardiovascular disease among people suffering from major depression. (Psychophysiology, 48(11), November 2011: 1605–1610) Read more. 

Adolescent Social Stress Increases Risk of Diseases Later in Life

A study of adolescents who experience social and financial stress shows they have an increased risk for higher blood pressure, body weight, and cholesterol levels and the associated diseases later in life. (Annals of Behavioral Medicine, published online) Read more. 

New Therapy Developed to Help Depression Patients Cultivate Optimistic Future

Patients with major depressive disorder who learned to create a more positive outlook about the future in treatment with the new Future-Directed Therapy™ demonstrated significant improvement over those undergoing traditional therapy, which seeks to alter irrational, negative thoughts about past experiences. (CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, published online in March) Read more. 

Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Explained

An article draws on the existing scientific literature to explain the positive effects of mindfulness meditation that help deal with the mental and physiological effects of stress. (Perspectives on Psychological Science, November 2011; 6(6): 537-559) Read more.

Perinatal Exposure to Antidepressant Stunts Brain Development in Rats

The brains of rats who received the SSRI citalopram just before and after birth showed stunted growth and degeneration during this critical period, long-distance connections between the two hemispheres of the brain, and the animals also became excessively fearful. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online October 24, 2011) Read more.

Predictors of Long-Term Prognosis of Depression

Previous depression, daily smoking, and a lack of control over life circumstances are risk factors for repeat episodes of depression. (Canadian Medical Association Journal, published online October 24, 2011). Read more.

Researchers Demonstrate Rare Animal Model for Studying Depression

By electrically stimulating a brain region central to an animal's primary emotions, researchers have taken one step further toward creating an animal model for decoding the specific brain circuits involved in depression. (Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, October 2011; 35(9): 1902-1915) Read more. 

Moderate to High Stress Leads to Higher Mortality Rate

According to the first study to show a direct link between stress trajectories and mortality in an aging population, men who experience persistently moderate or high levels of stressful life events over a number of years have a 50 percent higher mortality rate. And only a few factors protect against the stress. (Journal of Aging Research, published online) Read more. 

Some Shy Teens Have Social Anxiety Disorder

A new study analyzed how many teens appeared to meet the American Psychiatric Association's criteria for social anxiety disorder or social phobia resulted in roughly 1 in 10 of the self-described shy kids. The findings challenge criticism that the terms "social phobia" and "social anxiety disorder" medicalize normal shyness. (Pediatrics, published online Oct. 17, 2011) Read more.

Brain Chemical Lower in Joyless Teens

Teens with anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, have lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in a key mood-regulating region of the brain, according to an NIMH-funded study. Researchers note that this may offer new clues to the pathways and processes underlying depression and other mental disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online Oct. 3, 2011) Read more.

Technological Therapy Shows Promise

Cognitive behavior modification (CBM), which uses computer software to help divert patients' attention from anxiety and interpret situations more calmly, is showing promise in the treatment of social anxiety disorder, suggests new research. (Depression and Anxiety, published online Sept. 2, 2011) Read more.

Depression in Cancer Patients

Physicians should make themselves aware of comorbid depression among cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones. See “Cancer and Depression,” a recent issue of Psychiatric Annals. (Psychiatric Annals, 41(9); Sept. 2011) Read more. 

Driven to Drink: Alcoholics’ Children With Stress

New research reveals that children who have a parent with a history of alcohol abuse face a greater risk of consuming more alcohol after stressful situations. (Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 99(4), Oct. 2011:696–703) Read more. 

Diet's Direct Link to Mental Health

Two new studies show that diet can significantly affect mental health in adolescents. It may also have a role in preventing and treating depression, anxiety, and other such common illnesses. (PLoS One, published online Sept. 23, 2011) Read more.

Cortisone Shot May Stop Traumatic Stress

When administered up to six hours after test subjects experienced a traumatic event, the findings of a single extra dose of cortisone suggest that the likelihood of later developing PTSD is reduced by 60 percent. (European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2011; 21 (11):796) Read more.

Depression Loosens Brain Circuits

A new study using MRI scans illustrates that depression frequently seems to uncouple the brain's "hate circuit" involving the superior frontal gyrus, insula, and putamen.  (The so-called circuit appears to connect these brain regions when test subjects are shown pictures of people they hated.) (Molecular Psychiatry, published online Oct. 4, 2011)
Read more.

Panic Attacks Send Signals for One Hour

New research reveals that signs of panic attacks that seem to strike suddenly occur at least 60 minutes before patients' awareness. (Biological Psychiatry, published online 25 July 2011) Read more.

Omega-3 Reduces Anxiety and Inflammation

A study gauging the effects of consuming fish oil surprisingly showed a marked reduction in anxiety, as well as inflammation among healthy young people, further linking psychological stress and immunity. (Brain, Behavior and Immunity, published online 19 July 2011) Read more.

Antidepressants and Relapse: Return of the Blues

Patients taking antidepressants may be nearly twice as susceptible to future episodes of major depression as those who use no medication at all.  (Frontiers in Psychology, published online 7 Jul 2011) Read more. 

Relationship of Stress and Alcohol

Acute stress is thought to precipitate drinking alcohol, and new findings indicate a bidirectional relationship between alcohol and stress. (Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, published online 18 July 2011) Read more. 

PTSD Special Issue

Psychiatric Annals August issue is “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Beyond the DSM-IV,” and all features and departments focus on PTSD. The article “Case Discussion: 9/11, Trauma, and Personality” is a discussion of a long-term psychiatric observation of the 75,000 individuals who participated in the rescue, recovery, and clean-up efforts at Ground Zero. (Psychiatric Annals, 41(8), Aug. 2011) Read more. 

Why Stress Damages DNA

Researchers have discovered a specific mechanism through which elevated adrenaline associated with chronic stress could eventually damage DNA. (Nature, published online August 21, 2011) Read more. 

Reduced Recognition of Fear and Sadness in PTSD

New research reveals evidence that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by changes in the way the brain processes specific emotions and that certain aspects of this disorder could be understood as a consequence of the altered processing of emotional cues. (Cortex, 2011; 47(8):974) Read more. 

Women and Men Experience Mental Illnesses Differently

Findings of a new study illustrate the differences in how women and men internalize and externalize emotions. Women with anxiety disorders are more likely to keep their emotions inside, which can lead to withdrawal, loneliness, and depression. Men are more likely to express their emotions, which can lead to aggressive, impulsive, or coercive behavior. (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, published online August 17, 2011) Read more. 

Mind-Altering Microbes May Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Probiotic bacteria have the potential to alter brain neurochemistry and treat anxiety and depression-related disorders, according to recent research. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online before print August 29, 2011). Read more.

Stress and School Success

Handling stress appropriately in class and on the field can tip the scale toward success for the millions of students, according to new research. (Emotion, 2011; 11(4): 1000-1005) Read more.

Exercise: The Other “Medication”

Exercise can be as effective as a second medication for as many as half of depressed patients whose condition have not been cured by a single antidepressant medication. (UT Southwestern Medical Center; 2011, August 24)  Read more. 

Enlarged Amygdala in Children of Depressed Mothers

Scientists studying 10-year-old children whose mothers exhibited lifelong symptoms of depression discovered that the children's amygdalae, a part of the brain linked to emotional responses, were enlarged. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011; 108 (34):14324) Read more.

Reason for Relapse in Depression

Researchers searching for markers of relapse risk in people who have recovered from depression have found that those who activate the brain's frontal lobes by ruminating are more likely to relapse than those who respond with acceptance and activate visual areas in the back of the brain. (Biological Psychiatry, 70(4):366-372)  Read more. 

Why Stress Leads to Obesity

Scientists have uncovered a mechanism in rats by which stress increases food drive, a find that could provide insight into why stress is thought to be a contributor to obesity. (Neuron, 71(3): 529-541, 11 August 2011) Read more. 

Difficult Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression

A new study finds that women who experience difficulty breastfeeding in the first weeks after giving birth are more prone to postpartum depression. (Obstetrics & Gynecology, 118(2, Part 1):214-221, August 2011) Read more.  

Music Reduces Anxiety in Cancer Patients

Music can reduce anxiety in cancer patients, and may also have positive effects on mood, pain and quality of life, according to a new systematic review. (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2011, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD006911.) Read more. 

Depression Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke in Women

A research study has shown that women who suffer from depression have a 29% higher risk of having a stroke, and those on SSRIs have a 39% higher risk. (STROKE, published online August 11, 2011) Read more.

Therapeutic Target for Depression and Addiction Possibly Identified

Researchers studying mice may discover how stress affects mood and motivation for drugs. Blocking the stress cascade in brain cells may help reduce the effects of stress, which can include anxiety, depression and the pursuit of addictive drugs. (Neuron, 71(3), 498-511, 11 August 2011)  Read more.

More Antidepressant Prescriptions Without Psychiatric Diagnosis

A new study finds that much of the growth of the use of antidepressants has been driven by an increase in prescriptions by non-psychiatrist providers without any accompanying psychiatric diagnosis. (Health Affairs, August 2011 30:1434-1442) Read more. 

Prenatal Stress Passed Across Generations

A study has found sons of male mice who were exposed to prenatal stress are more sensitive to stress as adults, suggesting that experiences in the womb can lead to individual stress responses that pass across generations. (The Journal of Neuroscience, 31(33):11748-11755, 17 August 2011, ) Read more.

Self-Medication Links Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders

Self-medicating anxiety disorders with alcohol and drugs is associated with a high risk for substance use disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68:800-807) Read more.

Antidepressants and Increased Risk for Older Adults

Older adults who take the antidepressant SSRIs are at more risk of dying or suffering from stroke, falls, fractures, and epilepsy, according to a new study. (British Medical Journal, 2011; 343) Read more.

Yoga’s Anti-Stress Factor

Researchers find that practicing yoga reduces the physical and psychological symptoms of chronic pain in women with fibromyalgia, which is characterized by chronic pain, anxiety and depression are among other common symptoms. (Journal of Pain Research, 2011(4):189-201) Read more. 

PTSD Decreases Antiretroviral Drug Adherence in People With HIV

Results from a recent small study indicate that HIV-positive individuals with PTSD have significantly lower odds of adhering to their antiretroviral drug regimens. (Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45(7): 942-948) Read more.

Stressful Events Cause Panic Symptoms to Increase Over Time 

Researchers at Brown University have found that some stressful life events cause panic symptoms to increase gradually over time, rather than to trigger an immediate panic attack. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online June 11) Read more. 

Childhood Asthma Risk Linked to Mental Health During Pregnancy

Anxiety, stress, and depression during pregnancy may lead to a greater risk of asthma for your child, according to researchers at Columbia University. (Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 107(1): 42-49) Read more.

Comparing Two Therapies for Social Anxiety Disorder

While cognitive therapy was more efficacious in reducing symptoms of social anxiety disorder, both cognitive therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy led to considerable improvements that were maintained one year following treatment. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68(7):692-700). Read more.

PTSD Common After Orthopedic Trauma

A new review article reveals that any type of orthopedic trauma may be associated with PTSD in nonmilitary patients, and it can hinder their emotional, physical and functional recovery. (Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 19(5), May 2011: 245-250) Read more. 

Prenatal SSRI Use May Be Tied to Autism

Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy appears to be associated with increased chances of developing an autism spectrum disorder. But the authors of a case-controlled study note that such an exposure is unlikely to explain many cases of autism. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online July 4, 2011) Read more.

Regular Exercise in Treatment Strategy for Panic Disorder

A high level of exercise may be a useful strategy to prevent the development of panic and related disorders among people with high anxiety sensitivity, particularly as an alternative or complementary strategy to drugs and psychotherapy. (Psychosomatic Medicine, July 2011 vol. 73 no. 6 498-503) Read more.

Pain Relievers May Negate SSRIs

Mice studies examining how NSAIDs counteract SSRIs may explain why treatment with both classes of medication is not always successful. (Psychiatric News, 46(13):19) Read more.

Gene for Major Depression Identified

Researchers at two universities discovered independently the genetic location of major depressive disorder on chromosome 3. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online May 15, 2011) Read more.

Stress and the City

A new international study shows that two distinct brain regions that regulate emotion and stress are affected by city living. Being born and raised in a major urban area is associated with greater lifetime risk for anxiety and mood disorders. (Nature, 2011; 474(7352):498) Read more.

Early Adversity Linked to Stress Sensitivity

A new study suggests that people become depressed more easily following minor setbacks in part because they have experienced adversity early in life or previous depressive episodes, making them more sensitive to stress. (Journal of Psychiatric Research, published online April 5, 2011). Read more.

Exercise Effective PTSD Therapy

Preliminary research has revealed that aerobic exercise may be an effective treatment for PTSD, according to a study presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine and 2nd World Congress on Exercise is Medicine. Read more.

Drug Diminishes Vets' PTSD Nightmares

In clinical trials, prazosin, the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist developed four decades ago as an antihypertensive drug, restores normal REM sleep and permits “decoupling” of emotional tone from memory to reduce nightmares associated with combat-related PTSD. (Psychiatric News, June 3, 2011; 46(11):15) Read more.

More Men With Migraine Suffer From PTSD Than Women

While the risk of PTSD  is more common in those with migraine than those without migraine irrespective of sex, the risk is greater in men than women. (Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2011;51:860-868) Read more. 

Letters From Home May Help Prevent PTSD

A new study finds that for happily married male soldiers, communicating frequently with a spouse through letters and e-mails during deployment may protect against developing PTSD symptoms. (Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24(3):352–355, June 2011) Read more.

TM a Potential PTSD Treatment

War veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder may find relief with transcendental meditation, which previous research has demonstrated can help reduce anxiety, depression, and hypertension. (Military Medicine, 176(6), June 2011:626-630(5) Read more.

Therapies Based on Positive Emotions Not Cross-Culturally Effective

A new study indicates that psychotherapies emphasizing positive emotions, which focus on the good and downplay the bad to accelerate recovery from depression, bolster resilience during a crisis, and improve overall mental health, to relieve stress and depression in white populations may not work for Asians, who make up the majority of the world population. (Emotion, published online march 28) Read more. 

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Reduce SSRI Effectiveness

Studies have shown that anti-inflammatory drugs, which include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen, reduce the effectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, taken for depression and anxiety disorders. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online March 28, 2011) Read more. 

Childhood Trauma May Accelerate Age-Related Diseases

Adults who suffer from PTSD and have a childhood history of trauma are at greater risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, and other age-related diseases, as well as early death, due to significantly shorter length in telomere, DNA-protein complexes that close and protect the ends of chromosomes. (Biological Psychiatry, published online 13 April 2011) Read more.

Primary Care Medication Plus CBT Reduces Anxiety Symptoms

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in combination with psychotropic medication is highly effective for treating most anxiety disorders in primary care, new research suggests, particularly principal generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, and comorbid social anxiety disorder. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68(4):378-388) Read more. 

Secondhand Smoke Bad for Kids' Mental Health

Children and adolescents in the United States exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of developing major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorder, according to new research. (Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 2011;165(4):332-338) Read more. 

Anxiety in Surrogates Making Treatment Decisions

Surrogate decision-makers, or family members involved in making end-of-life care decisions for loved ones, are at significant risk for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. One in three carries a lasting emotional burden related to their decisions. (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2011 Mar 1;154(5):336-46) Read more.

Quick Screen for Cognitive Therapy

In lieu of expensive brain scans, researchers suggest testing pupil dilation in response to emotional words, an inexpensive and easy-to-take physiological measure that may predict which patients are likely to respond to cognitive therapy. (Biological Psychiatry, 69(8):726–733) Read more.

Damaging Psychological Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Men

Men who are abused by their female partners can suffer significant psychological trauma, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicidal thoughts. (Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 12(2): 97-111) Read more.

Poverty Linked to Anxiety and Mood Disorders

People with annual household incomes less than $20,000 are more likely to suffer mental illness, according to a new study, and that a decrease in income is associated with increased risk of anxiety, substance abuse, and mood disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68(4):419-427.) Read more.

Antidepressants May Not Improve All Depression Symptoms

Insomnia, sadness, decreased concentration, and other symptoms of depression may persist in people, even those who show a clear treatment response with antidepressant medications. Developing more targeted therapies is the next step. (Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 31(2):180-186). Read more.

White-Matter Changes Connected to Anxiety

Fewer white matter connections in the amygdala and other anxiety-processing brain areas appear to be linked with anxiety as a personality trait.  (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68(4):369–377) Read more.

Depression Risk Rises During Menopause

Researchers suggesting close monitoring of women during menopausal transition and the early postmenopausal period for signs of increased risk of developing major depression. (Psychological Medicine, published online 9 February 2011) Read more. 

Anxiety and Depression Related to Risky Driving

Young drivers who experience anxiety and depression are more likely to take risks on the road, according to a new study in Australia. (Injury Prevention, published online 16 May 2011) Read more.

Immune Systems in Men and Women: Different Responses to PTSD

Research from two studies indicates that men show no immune system response to PTSD, while women show a strong response. (Brain, Behavior, and Immunity,  25(3), March 2011, 524-531) Read more.

Young Children Have Depression

Researchers now discovering that children as young as 3 can meet the clinical criteria for major depressive disorder, and their patterns of brain activation are similar to those of adults with the disorder. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online March 2011) Read more.

Compulsions May Lead to Obsessions in OCD

New scientific evidence challenges the longstanding conception that repetitive behaviors, or compulsions, characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), are carried out in response to obsessive fears. The compulsions might be the precursors to the disorder, and that obsessions may be the brain's way of justifying these behaviors. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online May 15, 2011) Read more. 

Bedbugs May Lead to Anxiety

Excitement in the media about bedbug infestations in New York may increase acute anxiety and mood disorders. (American Psychiatric Association 2011; Abstract NR1-51) Read more. 

Anxiety and Depression Risk May Originate in Early Digestive Problems

Depression and anxiety may result from short-term digestive irritation early in life, according to a study at Stanford University School of Medicine, suggesting that some psychological conditions may be the result—not the cause—of irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders. (PLoS ONE, 6(5): e19498) Read more. 

Virtual Reality for Vets’ PTSD Treatment

For returning soldiers with PTSD who are concerned about the stigma of seeing a therapist, virtual reality treatment may be a preferred alternative to talk therapy. (Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Setting, published online June 2011) Read more.

Predeployment Mental Health History and Greater PTSD Risk

According to a recent study, military personnel with preexisting mental health disorders before deployment are at a two- to five-fold increased risk for postdeployment PTSD after experiencing physical trauma. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68:496–504) Read more.

New Way to Examine Major Depressive Disorder in Children

Scientists at Wayne State University measuring cortical thickness reveal it as a new way to distinguish children with major depressive disorder (MDD) from children with OCD, as well as children without MDD. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011; 68 (5):527-533) Read more. 

Some Orthopedic Injuries Can Lead to PTSD

A new review suggests that PTSD affects 20 to 51 percent of patients nowhere near a battlefield with a significant orthopedic injury. (Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2011 19: 245-250) Read more.

Fear Affects Perception

A study at the Weizmann Institute of Science reveals that fear can change reactions to experiences and perception of the world, suggesting that people with PTSD may be unable to distinguish perceptually between threatening and nonthreatening situations; the same may be true in other anxiety disorders. (Nature Neuroscience, published online 8 May 2011) Read more.

Two Is Not Better Than One Antidepressant Among Some Chronically Depressed

A combination of two antidepressants may not be any more effective in treating chronic major depression than a single antidepressant, according to an NIMH-funded study. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online May 2, 2011) Read more. 

Children of Bipolar Parents Overly Sensitive to Cortisol

Children who have a parent with bipolar disorder have cortisol that is easily elevated in response to normal life stress. A new study led by Concordia University suggests that the stress hormone cortisol is a key player in bipolar disorder. (Psychological Medicine, Published online 2011) Read more.

Scientists Identify Genetic Risk for Major Depression

A new study has identified SLC6A15, a gene that codes for a neuronal amino acid transporter protein, as a novel susceptibility gene for major depression, suggesting a previously unrecognized mechanism for major depression. (Neuron, Volume 70, Issue 2, 252-265, 28 April 2011) Read more.

Erasing Traumatic Memories

Could horrific traumatic memories be weakened in the brains of those who suffer? In a new study at UCLA, scientists report about altering memories someday to reduce the trauma from human brains. (Journal of Neuroscience, 2011; 31 (17): 6421) Read more. 

Experimental Radiation OCD Treatment Stopped for Now

Gamma knife radiation, a form of brain surgery that gives significant relief to some people with disabling obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), has temporarily been halted until recently noticed long-term side effects can be studied. (Neurosurgery, 2011; 68(1):28-32.) Read more.

Writing About Test Anxieties Improves Performance

Researchers have found that students anxious about taking a high-stakes exam improve their classroom performance after writing about their feelings and worries. (Science, 14 January 2011; 331(6014): 211–213) Hear more in a podcast.

How Anxiety Works: Light Switches Brain Pathway On and Off

Scientist have switched anxiety on and off in mice by shining light at a brain pathway. Their findings appear to have pinpointed an anxiety-quelling pathway and demonstrated a way to control it, which may lead to new types of anti-anxiety treatments. Read more.

Chronic Depression and Accelerated Aging of Immune Cells

Some cases of major depression associated with premature aging of immune cells may make people more susceptible to other serious illness. Findings from a new study indicate that accelerated cell aging depends on the length someone has depression, particularly if it is untreated. (PLoS ONE, 2011; 6(3) Read more.

Diagnosing OCD in Children Before It’s Too Late

Researchers point out how appropriate early recognition and treatment of OCD in children can positively affect the course of the disorder. (Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 108(11): 173–9) Read more.

Visible Brain Activity Helps People Control Thoughts

Researchers have discovered that people can gain greater control over their thoughts with real-time brain feedback. Their study suggests the possibility of improving everyday lives through fMRI-assisted advances in the ability to focus our minds. The findings also suggest improving clinical treatments of depression, anxiety, and OCD. (NeuroImage, 55(3): 1298) Read more. 

Mild Stress Linked to Long-Term Disability

Even relatively mild stress can lead to long term disability and an inability to work, reveals a recent study: Subjects with mild stress were up to 70% more likely to receive disability benefits. (Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, published online 21 March 2011) Read more.

Hippocampal Volume May Relate to PTSD

A smaller-volume hippocampus, the brain region responsible for storing and retrieving, memories, might be a risk factor for PTSD. A new study has found that larger hippocampal volume is associated with recovery of PTSD, suggesting that PTSD treatment could be considered brain restoration rather easing symptoms. (Biological Psychiatry, 69(6): 541) Read more.

Depressed and Abused Teens Less Likely to Respond to Combination Treatment

Adolescents with treatment-resistant depression who have a history of abuse, especially physical, are less likely to respond to combination treatment than to medication alone, according to data from a study funded by NIMH. (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 50(3): 293-301) Read more.

Elevated Sodium Levels Lessen Stress Response

New research shows that elevated levels of sodium inhibit stress hormones that would otherwise be activated in stressful situations. (The Journal of Neuroscience, 31(14):5470-5476) Read more.

Damaging Psychological Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Men

Men who are abused by their female partners can suffer significant psychological trauma, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicidal thoughts. (Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 12(2): 97-111) Read more.

Poverty Linked to Anxiety and Mood Disorders

People with annual household incomes less than $20,000 are more likely to suffer mental illness, according to a new study, and that a decrease in income is associated with increased risk of anxiety, substance abuse, and mood disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68(4):419-427.) Read more.

Stress Hormones Used to Treat Phobias

A study published recently found that acrophobic subjects who took cortisol an hour before a session of exposure therapy were able to tame their clinical fear of heights better than those who took a placebo. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online March 28, 2011) Read more.

Racial Battle Fatigue May Lead to GAD

African Americans who reported that they experienced more instances of racial discrimination showed increased odds ratio of having lifetime generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), suggesting that “racial battle fatigue” might explain how the experience of racism may lead to a serious mental health disorder. (Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25(2): 258-265) Read more. 

SSRIs May Reorganize Brain Plasticity

Researchers investigating physiological changes in the brain have found that chronic treatment of mice with fluoxetine (an SSRI) caused changes to granule cells and to their connections with other neuronal cells. These changes to the cells’ plasticity were associated with increased anxiety. (Molecular Brain, 2011, 4:12) Read more. 

Anti-Anxiety Circuit in Brain Region Discovered

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that stimulating a brain circuit usually associated with fear counters anxiety instead of triggering it. (Nature, published online March 9) Read more.

Brain Study Shows Social Anxiety Disorder Responding to Psychotherapy

Using electroencephalograms, or EEGs, researchers tracked the brain changes of people with social anxiety disorder who were going through psychotherapy. Findings included improvements in the patients' brains paralleled clinicians' and patients' reports of easing symptoms. (Psychological Science, published online March 4, 2011) Read more.

Primary Care Practitioners Who Treat Anxiety Disorders

Most patients with anxiety disorders are treated by primary care practitioners. But among other findings, researchers found that fewer than half of the patients in a recent study had received quality pharmacologic and/or psychosocial mental health care in the previous 6 months. (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, published online February 22, 2011). Read more.

Brain Enzyme Has Potential to Treat Anxiety Disorders

In a rat study, researchers discovered that memory can be enhanced or erased by increasing or decreasing the activity of a brain enzyme, the molecule PKMzeta, which could become a target for treatments to help manage memories in anxiety disorders and enhance memories associated with disorders of aging. (Science, 2011, 331(6021): 1207-1210) Read more. 

Which PTSD Symptoms Affect Quality of Life?

A recent study is the first to examine which problems associated with PTSD correspond to lower quality of life, as indicated by the patient's willingness to die sooner or to risk life-threatening treatment to relieve their symptoms. (Psychiatric Services, 62:272-277, March 2011) Read more.

Anti-AnxietyCircuit in Brain Region Discovered

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that stimulating a brain circuit usually associated with fear counters anxiety instead of triggering it. (Nature, published online March 9) Read more.

Weak Spots in Brain Circuitry Make Some Vulnerable to Anxiety 

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have identified weak spots in the brain circuitry that may explain why some are prone to anxiety. Findings may pave the way for more targeted treatment of chronic fear and anxiety disorders. (Neuron, 69:3, 563-571, 10 February 2011) Read more.

Fear of Spiders and Snakes Not Innate 

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute have learned that although most people are afraid of spiders and snake, they aren't born afraid of them, and can learn these fears very quickly. (Current Directions in Psychological Science, February 2003; 12:1; 5–9) Read more.

Mindfulness Meditation Associated With Changes in Brain Structure

According to a recent study, practicing mindfulness meditation appears to be associated with measurable changes in the brain regions involved in memory, learning, and emotion. The term "mindfulness meditation" refers to the focused attention on breathing to increase awareness of the present. (Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 2011;191(1):36–43) Read more.

Biological Clue to PTSD in Women

High levels of the stress hormone PACAP may explain why women have a higher risk of developing PTSD than men. (Nature, 470:492–497; published online 23 February 2011) Read more.
ADAA member Kerry Ressler, MD, PhD, explains more in this video.

Anxiety “Off Switch” Possibility

Scientists have made a recent breakthrough concerning how anxiety is regulated in the vertebrate brain. Their work may show how the brain normally shuts off anxiety, that is, by disrupting a specific set of neurons in the habenula brain region, which prevents normal response to stressful situations. (Current Biology, 20(24): 2211– 2216) Read more. 

Radiation to Relieve Severe OCD

The results of a small clinical trial suggest that targeting the brain's anterior capsule with precise, high-intensity radiation led to dramatic improvements in people with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). (Neurosurgery, 2011; 68: 28–33) Read more. 

Stress Changes Brain Function

Researchers have found that one exposure to acute stress affects information processing in the cerebellum, the area of the brain responsible for motor control and movement coordination and is involved in learning and memory formation. The results lead to a testable prediction that emotional stress could affect motor coordination and other cognitive functions, and may also prove to be applicable to the alleviation of PTSD, drug addiction, and other disorders. (The Journal of Neuroscience, 2011; 31: 501–511) Read more. 

People With BDD Often Improve With Time

The longest-term study so far to track people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has found a surprisingly high recovery rate—although recovery can take more than five years—and a low recurrence rate. (Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, January 2011; 199(1): 55–57) Read more.