Anxiety

Researchers have mapped a neural pathway that instantly induces fear. Activating this circuit caused prolonged anxiety in mice, while temporarily turning it off completely blocked the effects of severe stress.

People with high social anxiety tend to misjudge the walking paths of strangers, perceiving both individuals and entire crowds as walking directly toward them. These findings suggest the anxious brain naturally overestimates spatial distance and physical threats.

College students overwhelmed by academic pressure often use artificial intelligence to lighten their mental load. A new study explores how relying too heavily on these digital tools can erode a student's self-confidence and fuel eventual burnout.

A new study examining the mental health impacts of popular hot beverages found that while daily tea consumption had no association with mood, drinking coffee presented a possible trend toward lower rates of depression.

Men who show extravagant, obsessive dedication to an unreciprocated romantic prospect are primarily motivated by a fear of being single, according to a recent psychological study that highlights the deep anxieties driving extreme courtship strategies.

New research shows how two distinct regions of the hippocampus synchronize during fearful events. By tracking nerve cells in animal models, scientists discovered a network that bridges emotional memory and physical defensive behaviors in real-time.

People who frequently experience a profound inner void often struggle with maintaining a firm sense of identity and regulating their emotions. A recent smartphone-based study maps how the sensation of emptiness fluctuates from day to day.

When students try to outsmart their peers, their academic performance suffers. A new psychology study reveals that pushing learners to compete leads them to ask ChatGPT superficial questions, increasing their anxiety and severely hindering true knowledge acquisition.

Aging adults with high autistic traits face a significantly greater risk of worsening anxiety over time, according to new research. The findings highlight a pressing need for targeted mental health support for older individuals on the autism spectrum.

A fear of massive objects may stem from ancient survival instincts. Clinicians treat megalophobia by retraining the amygdala using controlled exposure.

A new study in BMC Psychology suggests stuttering is more than a physical speech disorder. Researchers found that adults who stutter experience differences in auditory brain processing and higher anxiety, which both scale with their stuttering severity.

Higher levels of an excitatory brain chemical can make individuals overly sensitive to their mistakes. New research shows that an exaggerated response to everyday errors helps explain the shared biological roots of anxiety and depression.

Despite troubling reports of anxiety and depression among users of new weight loss and diabetes medications, a comprehensive genetic and clinical analysis reveals no biological link between the drugs and mental health disorders.

A new study finds that an inability to properly digest fructose alters the gut microbiome, triggering low-grade inflammation. This digestive disruption may contribute to anxiety and depressive behaviors by alarming the brain's immune system.