Previous Research Updates

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

Poverty Linked to Anxiety and Mood Disorders

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

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.

Breathing Treatment Reduces Panic

A new treatment program teaches people who suffer from panic disorder how to reduce their symptoms by breathing in such as way as to reverse hyperventilation. A new study claims the technique has proved better than traditional cognitive therapy at reducing symptoms of panic as well as hyperventilation. (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, October 2010; 78(5): 691–704) Read more.

Drug Reduces Increase of Fear

A traumatic experience favors the persistence of fear associated with an aversive stimulus, known as fear conditioning. Scientists have suppressed that effect in mice with a single dose of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone, a drug that boosts the ability to acquire new emotional behaviors. The drug could be used as an effective treatment of PTSD, panic, and phobia disorders in humans. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online December 1, 2010) Read more.

Surprise Discovery May Lead to Treating Anxiety and Memory Disorders

An unexpected discovery by scientists at UCLA may lead to the development of treatments for PTSD and other anxiety disorders, as well as memory-impairing diseases. They found that disrupting critical rhythms in the dorsal hippocampus (the brain region most involved in cognition) prevented fear memories for places from forming, discovering what may be an unexplored drug target for the treatment of anxiety disorders. (Science, 7 January 2011: 87-91) Read more.

Urine Test for OCD

Researchers have identified gene mutations that impair kidney function leading to a rare kidney disorder. The same gene, also crucial for normal brain function, has been connected with OCD, and findings could lead to earlier diagnosis of children who may be at risk through routine urine test for newborns. (Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2011;121(1):446–453) Read more.

Altered Amygdala Connections

A study is the first to reveal a network of abnormal effective connectivity of core structures in the brains of people with social anxiety disorder. (PLoS ONE, 5(12): published online December 22, 2010) Read more.

Mindfulness Meditation Changes Brain Structure

Researchers have found that participation in an eight-week mindfulness meditation program can lead to measurable changes in the regions of the brain associated with stress, memory, sense of self, and empathy. (Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1): 36–43) Read more.

Long-term PTSD Among World Trade Center Survivors

Researchers found that of the 3,271 civilians who evacuated the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, 95.6 percent reported at least one current symptom of posttraumatic stress and 15 percent screened positive for PTSD two to three years after the disaster. They also found that women and minorities were at an increased risk of PTSD, but the strongest demographic risk factor was low income. (American Journal of Epidemiology, published online December 29, 2010) Read more.

No Amygdala, No Fear

Scientists have confirmed that a missing amygdala results in the lack of fear reaction in humans, a discovery that could lead to improved treatment for PTSD and other anxiety disorders. (Current Biology, published online Dec. 16, 2010) Read more.

Reducing Relapse With Longer Therapy

Patients with GAD treated with venlafaxine hydrochloride extended release for 12 months have substantially lower relapse rates when they stop the medication than patients who stop the medication after 6 months. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010;67(12):1274-1281) Read more.

Drug to Prevent PTSD

In a preclinical study scientists have identified for the first time the molecular cause of the debilitating condition of PTSD and prevented it from occurring by injecting calming drugs into the brain within five hours of a traumatic event. (Biological Psychiatry, 68(11):1007-1015) Read more.

Light at Night and Depression Symptoms

Exposure to even dim light at night appears to be capable of triggering depression-like symptoms in hamsters, which may lead to future understanding about how light at night affects mood in humans. (Psychiatric News, 45(24): 26) Read more.

From Blues to the Flu: New Treatments for Mood Disorders?

A mouse study reveals that depression may be triggered by the same mechanisms that enable the immune system to respond to infection. Researchers activating the immune system in mice produced “despair-like” behavior that has similarities to depression in humans. (Neuropsychopharmacology, (2010) 35: 2510–2520) Read more.

Diet Link to Mental Illness Onset

A study shows that diet might trigger the onset of mental illness; changes in diet have been linked previously to a reduction of self-injurious behaviors such as hair-pulling in mentally ill people or animals. (Nutritional Neurosciences, 13(6): 256-264(9) Read more.

IBD Produces PTSD Variant

The inflammatory bowel disorder Crohn’s disease produces its own variant of posttraumatic stress disorder and creates a vicious circle by worsening the Crohn's symptoms, according to a new study. (Frontline Gastroenterology, published online December 1, 2010) Read more.

Good Outcome for Combined Treatment of PTSD and Smoking

For smokers with military-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), integrating smoking-cessation and PTSD treatment resulted in higher rates of prolonged smoking abstinence. (JAMA, 304(22):2485-2493) Read more.

Depression and Too Much Cleanliness

Researchers point to mounting evidence that disruptions in humans’ ancient relationships with microorganisms in soil, food, and the gut may contribute to the increasing rates of depression. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(12):1211-1224) Read more.

Female Vets: Greater Likelihood of Suicide

The suicide rate among young (18 to 34 age group) female U.S. military veterans is nearly three times higher than among civilian women, a new study has found. Clinicians should inquire about military service among women and should recognize that suicide-prevention practices pertain to female veterans. (Psychiatric Services, 61:1177, December 2010) Read more.

Mindfulness Therapy to Prevent Depression Relapse

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy appears to be similar to maintenance antidepressant medication for preventing relapse or recurrence among patients successfully treated for depression, for which relapse and recurrence after recovery from major depressive disorder are common and debilitating outcomes. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(12):1256-1264) Read more.

Tricyclic Antidepressants and Increased Risk of Heart Disease

A study showed that tricyclic antidepressants were associated with a 35 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but that there was no increased risk with the newer antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). (European Heart Journal, published online December 1, 2010) Read more.

Effects of Group CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder and some aspects of quality of life improved with group cognitive-behavioral therapy, and were maintained for up to 12 months. But social functioning did not change significantly, suggesting that treatments that focus on improving social functioning are needed in clinical practice. (BMC Psychiatry, 2010;10(81) Read more.

Do Training Levels Affect Efficacy of ERP for OCD?

A study compared the effectiveness of exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD patients delivered by clinicians with a variety of training levels. ERP is effective as long as it is informed by an appropriate threshold of training and a standardized treatment manual. (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2010 Sep;71(9):1158–67) Read more.

fMRI Predicts Outcome of Talk Therapy in Anxious Children

A brain scan with functional MRI (fMRI) is enough to predict which patients with pediatric anxiety disorder will respond to talk therapy, according to neuroscientists from Georgetown University Medical Center. (Study presented at the annual meeting of the 2010 Society for Neuroscience) Read more.

New Neuronal Circuits Controlling Fear Identified

In a mouse study, researchers have been able to identify, for the first time, distinct neuronal circuits within the central nucleus of the amygdala that are specifically involved in acquisition and control of behavioral fear responses. (Nature, 10 November 2010; 468:277–282) Read more.

Method to Erase Memory Discovered

Researchers conducting a recent mouse study have made the discovery that the removal of a protein from the amygdala (the brain region responsible for recalling fear) can delete traumatic memories. (Science, published online 28 October 2010) Read more.

Computer “Vaccine” to Avoid Traumatic Flashbacks

The computer game Tetris may offer what researchers are calling a cognitive vaccine against developing flashbacks following a traumatic event. (PLoS ONE, 5(11): e13706. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013706) Read more.

Cardiac Testing Essential for Patients With Anxiety and Depression

According to a new study, people affected by anxiety and depression should receive an additional cardiac test when undergoing diagnosis for potential heart problems. (Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, published online 18 August 2010) Read more.

Yoga Shown to Lessen Anxiety

Yoga, shown to increase the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, a chemical in the brain that helps to regulate nerve activity, has a greater positive effect on a person's mood and anxiety level than walking and other forms of exercise, according to a recent study. (The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(11): 1145–1152) Read more.

Depression and Activity of Circadian Rhythm Gene

New research suggests that people with a history of depression have a higher level of activity in a gene that plays a role in regulating circadian rhythm than do people with no mood disorders. (Journal of Affective Disorders, 126(1-2), October 2010: 161–166) Read more.

Depressed Adolescents: Recovery and Relapse

Researchers studying adolescents with major depressive disorder found that nearly all recovered from their episode after treatment. But nearly half of them had relapsed within five years; females were at much higher risk of another major episode. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(11):1099–1198) Read more.

Identification of Genetic Trigger of Depression May Lead to Novel Therapeutics

Yale University researchers have found a gene that seems to be a key contributor to the onset of depression and is a promising target for a new class of antidepressants. (Nature Medicine, published online 17 October 2010) Read more.

Contagious Anxiety?

Studying the natural predator-and-prey relationship between the barn owl and the vole, two researchers at Tel Aviv University found that while anxiety levels can differ among individuals in normal circumstances, group members display the same level of anxiety when exposed to a common threat. (Behavioural Brain Research, 206(1): 88–92) Read more.

Mental Disorders: One in Five Children

Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health have reported on the prevalence data on a broad range of mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents, which show that approximately one in five children in the U.S. meet the criteria for a mental disorder severe enough to disrupt their daily lives. (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(10): 980–989) Read more.

New Method to Assess When Stress Endangers Health

Scientists assessed clinimetric criteria for the determination of allostatic load, which reflects the cumulative effects of stressful experiences in daily life. Allostatic overload is chronic exposure to fluctuating or heightened neural or neuroendocrine responses exceeding an individual’s coping resources. (Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2010;79: 280–284) Read more.

Stress Can Control Our Genes

Researchers have found that stress-activating factors can turn on certain genes that were supposed to be silenced. Their findings show that the protective complexes are lost, and selected genes turned on when cells are exposed to external stress factors. (Molecular Cell,(39)6: 886–900) Read more.

Chronic Stress May Cause Long-Lasting Epigenetic Changes

Long-term exposure to a common stress hormone may leave a lasting mark on the genome and influence how genes that control mood and behavior are expressed, according to a mouse study by Johns Hopkins researchers. (Endocrinology, 151: 4332–4343) Read more.

Risk for Future Substance Abuse for Anxious Patients Who Self-Medicate

People with anxiety disorders face an increased risk of developing substance abuse if they self-medicate their symptoms with drugs or alcohol, according to a study presented at the Canadian Psychiatric Association 60th Annual Conference. (Medscape, published online 1 October 2010) Read more.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant OCD

Anxiety and depressive symptoms decreased by half, according to the authors of a recent study assessing the safety and effectiveness of deep brain stimulation in a group of 16 patients whose OCD had not responded to previous rounds of treatment. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010;67(10): 1061–1068) Read more.

SSRIs May Affect Bone Density in Young Women With Anorexia Nervosa

A study examining bone density in young women with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa suggests that the duration of their SSRI use predicted reduced bone density. SSRIs are a class of antidepressants commonly widely prescribed for patients suffering from eating disorders and MDD. (CNS Spectrums, 2010;15(9): 579–586) Read more.

Medications for Insomnia or Anxiety Linked to Increase in Mortality Risk

Sedative drug use is associated with a 36% increase in mortality risk, according to the results of a population-based study; main endpoints were self-reported use of anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs, and death. Odds of mortality were 3.22 times higher for participants reporting anxiolytic or hypnotic drug use in the past month vs. those who did not report use of anxiolytic or hypnotic drugs in the past month. (Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2010;55: 137–146) Read more.

Childhood Adversity May Trigger Elevated Stress Response in Healthy Adults

New research suggests that healthy adults who were mistreated as children may have a higher inflammatory response to new stressors. Elevated concentrations of the cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) are in individuals who experienced early-life adversity. (Neuropsychopharmacology, published online 29 September 2010) Read more.

Walnuts Improve Reaction to Stress

A diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may help the body to deal better with stress, according to researchers who examined how these foods containing polyunsaturated fats influence blood pressure at rest and under stress, as reported in the current issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. (Penn State, 4 October 2010). ScienceDaily, retrieved 19 October 2010) Read more.

Anesthetic Injection Tested to Treat PTSD

A one-shot cure proposed to treat PTSD is raising cause for hope—and skepticism. Recent reports suggest that injecting the anesthetic stellate ganglion block into nerves in the neck could rapidly eliminate symptoms of the disorder. (Psychiatric News, 45(19): 18) Read more.

Global PTSD Treatment Guidelines

An article in the Journal of Traumatic Stress reports on the existing treatment research, to help clinicians make decisions about which guidelines are most relevant for their work and which recommendations to follow. The authors emphasize the international consensus that trauma-focused psychological interventions are the most effective treatments of choice for posttraumatic stress disorder. (Journal of Traumatic Stress, published online 13 September 2010) Read more.

New Treatment Options Target Causes of Childhood OCD and Tourette’s

A special free online issue focuses on the neurobiological bases of pediatric OCD and Tourette’s syndrome, which share similarities in genetic and environmental factors, treatments, and psychiatric features. (Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, Aug. 2010; 20(4) Read more.

Co-Occurrence of PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder Magnifies Impairment

Women diagnosed with PTSD and borderline personality disorder are more significantly impaired than women with either condition alone. The recent study suggests that among other recommendations, targeted PTSD treatment may be necessary for long-term improvement. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online Sept.1, 2010) Read more.

Parental Intervention Alters Children’s Anxiety Trajectory

Researchers are reporting that parents can potentially alter the path of anxiety and related disorders in young at-risk children with a brief intervention. Three years after the intervention the children exhibited fewer signs of anxiety. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online Sept. 1, 2010) Read more.

Vets With PTSD More Likely to Develop Dementia

Military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, are more likely to develop dementia than those without the disorder, according to Veterans Affairs researchers. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, September 2010; 58(9):1627–1633) Read more.

Anti-Anxiety Medication May Increase Mortality Risk

Taking medications to treat insomnia and anxiety increases mortality risk by 36 percent, according to a new study. (Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2010; 55(9) Read more.

Antipsychotics for Older Adults

Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic changes associated with aging bring more risks to treating elderly patients with psychotropics. This article reviews the concerns associated with the use of antipsychotics in older patients, who may be at higher risk for adverse events. (Psychiatric Times, August 4, 2010; 27(8) Read more.

SSRIs Powerful at Cellular Level

A new discovery about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) suggests that these drugs have multiple effects on our cells, which might explain why people taking the same drug may experience different effects. (Genetics, August 2010; 185;1221-1233) Read more.

Social Anxiety May Dim With Age

A recent study in Sweden found that seniors who had experienced social anxiety at some point in their lives did not necessarily do so later. (Psychiatric News, September 3, 2010; 45(17):18) Read more.

Hair Provides Link Between Chronic Stress and Heart Attack

Researchers have provided the first direct evidence, using a biological marker, to show that chronic stress plays a large role in heart attacks. Measuring cortisol levels in hair provided an accurate assessment of stress levels in the months prior to a heart attack. (Stress, the International Journal on the Biology of Stress, published online Sept. 2010) Read more.

Antidepressant Helps Menopausal Depression

An antidepressant can alleviate symptoms of major depression in women experiencing or about to experience menopause, according to a recent study. Women may respond to antidepressants differently from men and may also respond to medication differently at other times in their lives. (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2010;71(8):1088–1096) Read more.

Skin Condition Associated With Anxiety, Depression

Researchers have found that people who have psoriasis appear to have an increased risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality, suggesting that clinicians evaluate patients with psoriasis for these conditions to improve outcomes (Archives of Dermatology, 2010; 146(8):891-895) Read more.

Infants’ Behavioral Regularity Predicts Lower Anxiety

The lack of regularity in sleeping, eating, and play routines in infancy appears to be associated with risk for anxiety in childhood. Researchers studying infants with irregular patterns of sleeping, eating, and playing were significantly more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety more than a decade later. (Psychiatry Research, 30 July 2010, 178(2): 370-373) Read more.

Badly Behaved Animals May Offer Insight Into OCD

A scientist at Tufts University reports that variations in the gene for a protein involved in the central nervous system development may underlie compulsive disorders in dogs. Arguing that animal compulsions bear relevance to human obsessive-compulsive disorders and that the Alzheimer's drug memantine may help people with OCD, a new OCD treatment may be on the horizon. (Molecular Psychiatry, 2010; 15:8–10) Read more.

Heightened Brain Activity in Children Predicts Anxiety Risk

A new study of monkeys demonstrated that increased brain activity in the amygdala and anterior hippocampus could predict anxious temperament, suggesting that young children who have higher activity in these brain regions are also more likely to develop anxiety and depression as adolescents and adults, as well as drug and alcohol problems. (Nature, 12 August 2010; 466:864-868) Read more.

Collaborative Care Improves Depression Treatment

A meta-analysis of collaborative care — alternating between a primary care physician and psychiatric visits — indicates increased adherence to antidepressants at proper doses by about twofold, improved the quality of care, and improved depression outcomes in the first 6 months to 1 year of treatment, and it has also been shown to improve patient satisfaction and quality of life, compared to usual primary care. (Psychiatry Weekly, July 26, 2010; 5(18) Read more.

Blood Test for Depression May Be a Future Possibility

Dutch researchers evaluating blood-gene expression profiles in healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) identified a set of genes that distinguished unmedicated MDD patients from healthy controls. It may be too early to state that gene-expression profiling leads to diagnostic tests, but this study may be a stepping stone for finding diagnostic markers for depression. (Biological Psychiatry, 2010; 68(2): 179-186) Read more.

PTSD: Women in Their Fifties More Prone Than Men

Researchers in Denmark found that men are most vulnerable to PTSD between the ages of 41–45 years, but women are most vulnerable between ages 51–55. The total prevalence of PTSD was 21.3%, and the disorder was twice as common in women as in men, but men and women peaked in the risk of PTSD a decade apart from each other during their life spans. (Annals of General Psychiatry, 2010, 9:32) Read more.

Stress-Related Sex Differences

A study in rats reveals gender differences in the brain’s stress response that could shed light on women's propensity toward mood and anxiety disorders. Female rat brain cells were more sensitive to a key stress hormone than those of males, which could adapt to the hormone in a way female cells couldn't. (Molecular Psychiatry, published online June 15, 2010) Read more.

Abused Children at Risk of Developing Psychiatric Disorders as Young Adults

According to a new cohort study in New Zealand, childhood abuse and neglect are significantly associated with increased rates of anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders in young adulthood. (Archives of General Psychiatry, July 2010; 67:712-719) Read more.

Early PTSD Treatment for Vets’ Varied Physical Illnesses

Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher-than-usual rates of several physical ailments, according to a study; a strong link between PTSD and circulatory, musculoskeletal, digestive, and other diseases shows up soon after veterans return from fighting. Interventions instituted shortly after trauma might ultimately improve the quality of life and save money in future treatment costs. (Psychiatric News, July 16, 2010; 45(14):20) Read more.

Mental Disorders, Substance Abuse Linked to Increase in ER Visits

A new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) finds that almost one in eight of the 95 million visits to hospital emergency departments made by adults in the United States in 2007 were due to a mental health and/or substance abuse problem. The most common reason for these visits was a mood disorder (42.7%), followed by anxiety disorders (26.1%), alcohol-related problems (22.9%), and drug disorders (17.6%). (AHRQ-HCUP Statistical Brief 92. Mental Health and Substance Abuse-Related Emergency Department Visits Among Adults, 2007. Released July 2010) Read more.

Oxytocin as a Treatment for PTSD

Researchers propose augmentation of CBT with oxytocin in the treatment of PTSD. Oxytocin has a combination of pharmacologic effects that result in a “sense of safety” for the patient, which is a prerequisite to successful treatment of PTSD. (CNS Spectrums, 2010; 15(8): 522-530) Read more.

Social Stress Linked to Physical Ailments

Researchers have discovered that the way the brain responds to social stressors can influence the body's immune system in ways that may negatively affect health. Those who have greater neural sensitivity to social rejection also appear to have increased chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and depression. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online August 2010) Read more.

Risk Factors for Suicidal Students

Many college students think about suicide, and a key risk factor in predicting persistent suicidal thoughts is lack of social support. Other risk factors: depressive symptoms, exposure to domestic violence in childhood, and a mother suffering from depression. (Journal of Affective Disorders, in press as of July 2010) Read more.

Heart Patients With GAD May Have Worse Outcomes

Researchers have identified a strong association between generalized anxiety disorder and cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, or even death. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010; 67(7):750-758) Read more.

Biological Reason for Higher Anxiety and Depression in Women

Neuroscience researchers have found that females are more sensitive to low levels of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a hormone that organizes stress responses in mammals, making them twice as vulnerable as men to stress-related disorders. (Molecular Psychiatry, published online June 15, 2010) Read more.

Genetic Influences on PTSD Vulnerability and Treatment

Having a shorter version of the serotonin transporter gene appears to increase the risk for depression and PTSD after exposure to extremely stressful situations. This gene variant increases the activation of the amygdala, the brain’s emotion-control center. (Biological Psychiatry, 15 June 2010; 67(12):1217-1219) Read more.

PTSD or Depression Among Iraq War Solders

Posttraumatic stress disorder or depression, causing serious functional impairment, affects between 8.5% and 14% of soldiers returning from Iraq, according to a new report. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010; 67(6):614-623) Read more.

Anxiety in Adult Women With Celiac Disease

A study in Germany shows that female adults following a gluten-free diet for celiac disease show higher levels of anxiety than do members of the general population. The prevalence of a probably anxiety disorder in people with celiac were 16.8%. (World Journal of Gastroenterology, 14 June 2010; 16(22):2780-7) Read more.

CBT Effective in Primary Care

Brief therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), problem-solving therapy, and counseling, in primary care settings can effectively treat anxiety and depression. CBT for anxiety disorders was found comparable in effectiveness to longer treatments. (BMC Medicine, 25 June 2010, 8:38) Read more.

Flexible Treatment Intervention in Primary Care: Good Outcomes

According to new research at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, a flexible program designed to treat four common anxiety disorders in primary care leads to significantly greater improvement in anxiety symptoms and functional disability compared with usual care. (JAMA, 2010; 303(19):1921-1928) Read more.

Risks Associated With Antidepressants

Some antidepressants increase risks of cataracts (American Academy of Ophthalmology , June 3, 2010) and miscarriage (Canadian Medical Association Journal, May 2010 ), and should be avoided by women taking tamoxifen (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28(16), June 1, 2010: 2768-2776).

Earlier Intervention for Teens with Treatment-Resistant Depression

Early response to second-course treatment is associated with a greater likelihood of remission among teens with hard-to-treat depression, according to recent data from an NIMH-funded study. (American Journal of Psychiatry, May 17, 2010; published online) Read more.

GAD: What, More Than Worry?

Ongoing research reveals that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may be better understood as neither a basic disorder nor strictly a personality disorder. (Psychiatry Weekly, 5(14) Read more.

Follow-Up on SRI-Resistant OCD

A long-term follow-up analysis discusses predictors of remission for patients with SRI-resistant OCD. (Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, June 2010, 30(3):267-272) Read more.

PTSD Associated With Dementia in Older Veterans

Older veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appear more likely to develop dementia over a seven-year period than those without PTSD. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010;67(6):608-613) Read more.

Link Between Depression and Abdominal Obesity

A new study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham confirms the relationship between depression and abdominal obesity, which has been linked to an increased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. (American Journal of Public Health, 2010, 100: 1040-1046) Read more.

Anxiety Disorders May Boost Heart Attack Risk

Researchers found that veterans with any of several anxiety disorders had a higher risk of suffering a heart attack over the next seven years than those without the disorders. (American Heart Journal, May 2010; 159(5):772-779) Read more.

Specific PTSD Symptoms Related to Anger and Aggressiveness in Veterans

According to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Veterans Affairs, post-deployment anger and hostility were associated with hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD. (The American Journal of Psychiatry, published online June 15) Read more.

High Prevalence of Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury

According to a recent study, during the year following hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury, a majority of patients experienced major depression. (JAMA, 2010;303(19):1938-1945) Read more.

Mental Stress Not a Factor in Distracting Young Drivers

Anxiety and depression do not play a role in teen motor vehicle accidents, according to a new study at the University of Sydney in Australia. (Journal of Adolescent Health, published online May 19, 2010) Read more.

Tai Chi May Help Psychological Well-Being

A systematic review the low-impact martial art tai chi found that although it may have positive psychological effects, more high quality, randomized trials are needed. (BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2010 May 21;10(1):2) Read more.

Gene Ties Stress to Obesity and Diabetes

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute Neurobiology Department discovered that changes in the activity of a single gene in the brain cause mice to exhibit anxious behavior and lead to metabolic changes causing the development symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online May 18) Read more.

Abused Older Women Have Poor Mental Health

A new study at Howard University unsurprisingly found that older women exposed to physical and verbal abuse have poor mental health. Most significant, they discovered, is that verbal abuse was more damaging than physical abuse. (Annals of Family Medicine, 8:206-213 (2010) Read more.

Survey of Children of Military Parents

A new RAND Corporation study describes the health and well-being of children from military families from the perspectives of the child and non-deployed parent. (Pediatrics, January 2010; 125(1):16-25) Read more.

Not So Well Prepared: Disaster Planning on College Campuses

The findings of a new University of Central Florida survey assess more than 100 campus safety leaders on the factors that they consider key to building a “disaster-resilient university” that is well-prepared to prevent and respond to emergencies of all kinds. (Inside Higher Ed, May 11, 2010; published online) Read more.

Traumatic Experiences Weaken Immune-System Gene

Researchers at Columbia University discovered that traumatic experiences leave physical traces in a person’s genes, compromise the immune system, and lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (PsychCentral, May 4, 2010; published online) Read more.

Mood, Anxiety Disorders Common in Older Adults

The prevalence of mood disorders declines with age, but remains a problem for a substantial proportion of the older population, according to data from a national survey. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010; 67(5):489-496) Read more.

Two Anxiety Disorders Common With Narcolepsy

People who have narcolepsy are highly susceptible to social anxiety and panic attacks, but appropriate types of treatment have not been identified. (General Hospital Psychiatry, 2010; 32(1): 49-56) Read more.

Childhood-Cancer Survivors More Likely to Develop PTSD

Young adults who have survived childhood cancers are four times more likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD; findings include 9 percent reporting significant functional impairment and clinical distress and symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD. (Pediatrics, May 2010; 125(5): e1124-e1134) Read more.

Single Gene Found Responsible for OCD-Like Behaviors

Researchers discovered that mice missing a single gene, called Slitrk5, developed repetitive obsessive-compulsive-like behaviors. The genetically altered mice behaved much like people with a certain type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). (Nature Medicine, 25 April 2010; 16: 598-602) Read more.

Mood Food: Chocolate and Depressive Symptoms

People who screen positive for possible depression appear to consume more chocolate than those who do not screen positive for depression. (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2010; 170(8):699-703) Read more.

Neural Network Relationships Differ in PTSD Patients

Sometimes the brain is idling, sometimes it’s roaring down the neural highway. The shift from one mode to the other may differentiate people with PTSD from those without it. (Psychiatric News, April 16, 2010; 45(8):16)

Exercise a Good Prescription for Depression and Anxiety

Evidence shows that exercise has tremendous benefits for mental health, and the more mental health care providers are trained in exercise therapy, the better off their patients will be. (PhysOrg.com, April 1, 2010)

Novel Therapeutic Approach for African-American Women

An ongoing study of anxiety and fear among African-American women shows positive responses to “Sister Circles,” discussion groups in social settings familiar to the black community. Black women in the U.S. are affected by multiple, often contradictory stereotypes, which can lead to stress and anxiety. (Psychiatric News, April 2, 2010; 45(7): 13)

Different Approaches to Anxiety Disorders Throughout Life Cycle

Three researchers offer updated views on anxiety treatment and diagnosis from a developmental perspective for children, women, and older adults. (Psychiatric News, April 2, 2010; 45(7): 13)

Worry May Mitigate Depression, Fear

A new study of brain activity indicates that anxiety modifies some of the effects of depression. The research results suggest that fearful vigilance sometimes heightens the brain activity associated with depression, while worry may counter it, which reduces some of the negative effects of depression and fear. (Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience, 2010 10:141-156)

Children of Deployed Parents More Anxious, Depressed

A recent study of children with parents deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan showed elevations in anxiety and depression linked to length of deployment and the psychological stress of the parent at home. Further, the symptoms persist after the deployed parent comes home. (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, April 2010, 49(4): 310-320)

Depression Among Older Adults

Researchers examining octogenarians and centenarians found that diminished problem-solving skills among octogenarians and living in a nursing home among centenarians were strong predictors of depressive symptoms. Centenarians were further depressed by worries about the state of the world for their descendants. (Gerontology, 2010; 56:93-99)

Massage Effective Therapy for GAD

In a trial comparing the effects of massage on people with GAD, participants reported their anxiety reduced by 40 percent at the end of 12 weeks and by 50 percent three months later. Although effective, massage has not been proven to be clinically or statistically superior to either thermotherapy or relaxing room treatment. (Depression and Anxiety, published online February 23, 2010)

Caution in Treating Anxiety With Natural Remedies

A Saint Louis University doctor found no evidence supporting the use of St. John's wort, kava extract and valerian, herbal remedies, and other so-called natural treatments in fighting the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and advises physicians to warn patients that there’s no evidence that these are effective. (Journal of Family Practice, 2010 March; 59(3):148-54)

Stress Shapes the Brain

New research has identified a protein that appears to remodel the brain under stress. Researchers found that mouse brains with a short supply of the protein (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF) look similar to those of mice under extended stress. The findings suggest that BDNF is one of the proteins playing a significant role in the brain’s plasticity. (Hippocampus, published online 21 Jan 2010 in advance of print)

Link Between Suicidality and Antidepressants

Results of a study at UCLA show a link between worsening suicidality and specific changes in brain function while on these antidepressants. A noninvasive biomarker allowed researchers to observe a sharp reduction of activity in a specific brain region in people suffering from major depressive disorder who were susceptible to thoughts of suicide within 48 hours of the start of treatment. (Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, published online 8 Apr 2010 in advance of print)

Genetic Contribution to Stress-Induced Depression and Social Anxiety

Researchers who developed a new mouse model may have clues about why some people are more likely to develop depression after experiencing stress. Mice with a genetic change associated with depression in people were more likely to develop characteristics of depression and social anxiety. (Disease Models & Mechanisms, published online April 2010)

New Nerve Cells From Stress

Researchers discovered that weeks after a stressful event, mice more susceptible to stress had produced new nerve cells in their brains. The new cells survived longer than new brain cells produced by mice that were more resilient, which might explain why some people are more susceptible to stress than others. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published ahead of print February 22, 2010)

Acupuncture Calms Phobic Dental Patients

A study of a small sample of dentists in the United Kingdom reports that acupuncture, successfully calmed anxious patients suffering from odontophobia (extreme fear and anxiety of visiting a dentist). The participants had suffered from this condition for between two and 30 years. (Acupuncture in Medicine, March 2010; 28:3-5)

Phobia Innoculation Possibility

Researchers at the University of Hiroshima in Japan found that following an injection of lidocaine in the cerebellum, fish taught to fear a light flashed in their eyes showed no fear and were unable to learn to become afraid again. Because goldfish brains have similarities with those of humans and other mammals, the research suggests that further study may lead to treatment for phobias. (Behavioral and Brain Functions, 23 March 2010; 6:20)

New Approach Possible for Treating PTSD

The results of a recently published study, conducted at The University of Texas at Austin, suggests that drugs known as HDAC inhibitors may point the way toward new treatments for PTSD. (Neuropsychopharmacology, 10 February 2010)

Panic Disorder in the Emergency Room

Reports show that 17% to 32% of patients who visit an emergency room with chest pain have panic disorder, but usually the disorder remains unidentified there. A study suggests that the relatively low detection rate calls for tools to help physicians and nurses identify panic disorder efficiently. (Psychiatry Weekly, March 8, 2010; 5(5): published online)

New Scale Measures Anxiety Outcome

A large validation study shows that a new questionnaire and measurement scale developed at Rhode Island Hospital can be a reliable measure of anxiety and can be incorporated into routine clinical practice when treating psychiatric disorders. (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, published online)

Bullies May Have Social Anxiety Disorder

New research from psychologists at George Mason University suggests that a subset of adults diagnosed with social anxiety disorder engaged in acts of violence, substance abuse, unprotected sex and other high-risk behaviors. (Current Directions in Psychological Science, February 2010; 19: 47-50)

Psychiatric Self-Tests Shows Promise

Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that a 27-item checklist efficiently identifies patients at high risk for psychiatric illnesses, including anxiety disorders and depression. (Annals of Family Medicine, 2010; 8: 160-169)

Combination Treatment Effective for Social Anxiety Disorder

The results of a new study show that a combination of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine sulfate and cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) is superior to either treatment alone and a placebo for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010; 67(3): 286-295)

Gene Variant Affects Fear-Based Memory

Both humans and mice carrying a variant of a gene that plays a role in memory were slow to learn to forget a fear-based memory. The parallels observed in mice and humans mean that results using the mouse model may inform treatment approaches to anxiety disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder. (Biological Psychiatry, 15 Feb. 2010; 67(4): 304-308)

Discrimination Increases Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in LGB Populations

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals who live in states with bans on same-sex marriage are more at risk of developing psychiatric disorders, according to a new study; the greatest increase was in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) — more than 200 percent. (American Journal of Public Health, March 2010; 100(3): 452-459)

Genetic Factors Influence Risk of PTSD

The risk for posttraumatic stress disorder depends on the number of traumatic event types experienced, or the so-called traumatic load. A study of molecular genetics shows that genetic factors also influence the risk of PTSD. (Biological Psychiatry, 15 Feb. 2010; 67(4): 304-308)

People With GAD Less Able to Regulate Emotions

According to a new study, people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have abnormalities in the way their brain unconsciously controls emotions. The study’s authors suggest the findings could change our understanding of how emotions are regulated and open the way for new treatments. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online February 1, 2010)

Childhood Adversity Linked to Mental Disorders

Results from two large survey studies suggest that multiple childhood adversities explain (in a predictive sense) a wide range of mental disorders, including nearly one-third of anxiety disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010; 67(2):113-123, 124-132)

Inadequate Treatment for PTSD for Many Veterans

A recently published study reports that although the Department of Veteran Affairs is quickly implementing treatments for newly diagnosed PTSD patients, significant barriers remain in the way of veterans getting a full course of appropriate treatment. (Journal of Traumatic Stress, Feb. 2010; 23(1): 5-16)

Girls With ADHD at Risk for Anxiety and Other Disorders

The results of a new study suggest that girls with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are more likely than their peers to develop depression, anxiety, eating disorders or other psychiatric problems by the time they reach adulthood. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online February 4, 2010)

Biomarker May Identify PTSD

Researchers have identified a biological marker in the brains of veterans exhibiting posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measurement of magnetic fields in the brain, researchers accomplished more than 90 percent accuracy in differentiating PTSD patients from healthy control subjects. (Journal of Neural Engineering, Feb. 2010; 7(1): 1-7)

BDD a Result of Brain's Abnormal Processing Visual Input

Researchers at UCLA have determined that the brains of people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have abnormalities in processing visual input, particularly when examining their own face. Also, the same systems of the brain are overactive in both BDD and obsessive-compulsive disorder, suggesting a link between the two. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010 ;67(2):197-205)

Anxiety Predicts Age of Substance Use Among Boys

A recent study examining associations of generalized and social anxiety with age at first use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana and interval from first use to first problem use of each substance found that both types of anxiety predicted earlier first use of alcohol and tobacco, and generalized anxiety predicted earlier first use of marijuana. (Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Feb. 2010; 38(2): 211-224)

Vigilance and Avoidance in Children With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Using eye-tracking methodology, researchers found that anxious children showed vigilance-avoidance attention pattern. Vigilance-avoidance has been found in anxious adults, who initially gaze more at threatening pictures than non-anxious adults (vigilance), but subsequently gaze at them less (avoidance) than non-anxious adults. (Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Feb. 2010; 38(2): 225-235)

Perceived Control Over Anxiety-Related Events and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Self-perceived control over anxiety-related events among adolescents related negatively to worry and to symptoms and diagnoses of GAD, according to the findings of a new study. (Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Feb. 2010; 38(2): 237-247)

Half of Americans With Major Depression Receive Care

Only about half of Americans diagnosed with major depression in a given year receive treatment for it, and about one-fifth receive treatment consistent with current practice guidelines, according to NIMH. African Americans and Mexican Americans had the lowest rates of use of depression care; all groups reported higher use of psychotherapy than medication for depression. (NIMH Science Update, published online January 04, 2010)

Morphine May Lower Risk of PTSD

A study from the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego found that giving morphine to troops injured in Iraq lowered their risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by half. (New England Journal of Medicine, Jan. 14, 2010; 362:110-117)

Why Antidepressants Fail in Some Patients

An excess of one type of serotonin receptor in the center of the brain may explain why antidepressants, including SSRIs, fail to relieve depression for 50 percent of patients, according to a new study at Columbia University Medical Center. (Neuron, 14 January, 2010; 65(1):40-52)

GAD Categorization Controversy

A longitudinal study conducted in Germany shows that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is more closely related to other anxiety disorders than it is to depressive disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010; 67(1):47-57)

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