Anxiety

Young adults with high social anxiety show heightened activity in the brain's visual processing areas. These neural changes explain their high alertness to social threats and offer a physical marker for early detection.

A large dataset analysis indicates that standard psychological therapies frequently fail to help autistic patients with depression and anxiety. Researchers found that adapting care to fit neurodivergent needs is necessary to improve patient outcomes.

New research suggests a surprisingly simple way to ease social anxiety: assume first impressions are permanent. A study found that believing others' opinions won't easily change reduces mental exhaustion and helps socially anxious people navigate interactions with ease.

A specific fear of bodily sensations often accompanies depression in older adults. This heightened distress is associated with lower cognitive scores, interrupted sleep, and a reduced overall quality of life, according to a recent study.

Researchers have mapped a pathway connecting infant screen time to teenage anxiety. The study associates early screen exposure with accelerated brain network maturation, which predicts more hesitant decision-making in childhood and greater anxiety in adolescence.

People with social anxiety often assume others are being intentionally mean. New research shows that a one-month treatment to reduce social anxiety also successfully lowers this tendency to view the world through a hostile lens.

A new study reveals that nursing students who are highly sensitive to others’ reactions experience more anxiety. However, building inner psychological resources—like hope and resilience—can effectively protect their mental health and prevent burnout.

A new longitudinal study suggests that drinking larger amounts per occasion is linked to slightly higher future anxiety. However, frequent, low-quantity consumption is associated with lower anxiety levels in adults over 51.

A comprehensive new analysis confirms that physical activity is a highly effective treatment for mental health disorders. The study suggests that aerobic group classes work best for depression, while gentler activities effectively reduce anxiety.

A new study suggests electrical brain stimulation might boost focus in patients with anxious depression, but it comes with a catch. Researchers found the treatment unexpectedly heightened sensitivity to threats rather than calming fear.

A new study links anxiety about physical deterioration to an accelerated pace of aging, suggesting that specific psychological stressors can physically manifest at the molecular level.

Sexual minority adults not only report higher rates of depression but also show distinct biological reactions to it. New findings indicate these mental health struggles are accompanied by increased systemic inflammation.

Scientists have identified three distinct profiles of social anxiety in adolescents. One surprising group manifests fear of rejection through aggression and grandiosity rather than avoidance, highlighting the complexity of teen mental health.

Researchers have discovered that everyday nervousness is linked to conspiracy theory endorsement, while stress regarding elections and polarization is not. This challenges the assumption that political anxiety drives conspiratorial thinking.

A large Finnish study following 114,000 young people found that living near busy roads increases the risk of depression and anxiety. The risk starts rising at noise levels commonly found in cities, independent of air pollution.