Brain images from people experiencing loneliness show distinct features within certain neural regions, suggesting that those who feel lonely may be able to fill their desire for human connection by imagining social contexts and interactions. Human connection is a key factor in people’s physical and mental health. However, the impacts of COVID-19 and the need […]
In today’s turbulent political climate, hostility is becoming an increasingly familiar part of everyday life. This negative environment not only makes it uncomfortable to socialize, but prolonged, cynical hostility may pose a serious health issue. According to a Baylor University-led study that appeared in the September 2020 issue of Psychophysiology, cynical hostility may cause an […]
Over recent years, mental health has slowly moved out of the shadows. After centuries of being sidelined, our state of mental well-being is gradually receiving more of the attention that it deserves. However, many myths persist. Here, we address 11 common misconceptions. As we approach World Mental Health Day on October 10, this edition of […]
New research has identified a link between heart rate and depression, which could help with the diagnosis and treatment of the mental health issue. A new pilot study has found that depression can be predicted with a 90% accuracy by analyzing a person’s heart rate over 24 hours. The research, presented virtually at the 33rd […]
Although antianxiety medications target the nervous system, one new study suggests that anxiety disorders may stem more from the endocrine system. Most people have brief periods of anxiety from time to time, such as when they experience stressful situations in which the outcome is unknown. For many individuals, however, anxiety is an acute, frequent, and […]
A recent survey of physicians in the United States finds high levels of occupational burnout — with white physicians more likely to report burnout than those from marginalized ethnic or racial groups. Feeling emotionally exhausted and unable to cope are common signs of burnout, a response to a prolonged period of stress. The issue is […]
A new study has identified how ketamine can combat difficult-to-treat depression. New research has revealed the specific parts of the brain that ketamine affects when doctors use it to treat people with difficult-to-treat depression. The study, which appears in the journal Translational Psychiatry, may open the door to new therapies in the treatment of depression. […]
Astrocytes, which are brain cells that regulate neuronal communication, show long-term degradation from stress. “The experience of traumatic events can lead to neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and drug addiction,” says Dr. Si-Qiong June Liu of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine. Dr. Liu is the lead author of a new study on mice […]
