Anxiety

For some children, everyday noises like clinking dishes or traffic feel unbearably loud. A recent study reveals that this condition, known as hyperacusis, is a strong predictor of developing persistent fear, worry, and nervousness during adolescence.

People who obsess over missing out on social events show hypersensitive brain activity when receiving digital approval, revealing a biological clue behind problematic phone checking and social media habits.

To combat a global shortage of therapists, scientists are delivering mental health care through social media. A large new study confirms these online interventions work, particularly when they involve human guidance and community building.

A new framework explains how a single workout and long-term exercise habits help the brain process negative information. By altering attention, memory, and executive function, physical activity can transform how we manage stress and emotional distress.

A recent experiment shows that a quick jog on a treadmill can lower academic distress and sharpen mental focus. Researchers found that a short bout of aerobic activity physically rebalances the brain's ability to ignore distracting information.

A moderate dose of caffeine does not elevate baseline anxiety in people with panic disorder, though it may make them slightly more likely to step away from uncomfortable situations.

Can being physically fit protect your mental health? Researchers found that individuals with high cardiorespiratory fitness not only suffer from less daily anxiety, but also stay remarkably calmer when faced with sudden emotional stress.

A new study in Developmental Science finds that declining religious norms across 70 countries are linked to rising youth anxiety. The research suggests that growing up in increasingly secular societies correlates with higher adolescent mental health challenges.

A new study suggests the hallucinogen DMT might improve upon existing rapid treatments for severe depression. The research shows a single dose of DMT provides sustained relief from both depressive and anxiety-like symptoms in mice.

A new study of over 6,600 adolescents reveals that bad daily habits rarely occur alone. When behaviors like poor sleep and physical inactivity cluster together, they dramatically increase a teen's risk of developing both anxiety and depression.

Eye-tracking technology reveals that people with social anxiety scan moving faces more rapidly and identify faint sadness more accurately than those without the condition. Moving facial expressions may help researchers better understand the mechanics of the socially anxious brain.

A recent study found that consuming high amounts of sugar and sweetened beverages is associated with a greater chance of experiencing depression and anxiety.

New research reveals that young adults with social anxiety are highly vulnerable to social media addiction. Tracking users over several months, investigators found that a habit of comparing oneself to others online often fuels this digital dependency.

A sweeping analysis of over a million health records reveals that people living with autoimmune diseases experience depression and anxiety at nearly twice the rate of the general public, suggesting a profound link between physical inflammation and mental health.

A recent study suggests that socially anxious people experience more playful and meaningful interactions in small groups or through digital channels. Adjusting the social environment helps them get the most out of their daily conversations.