Experts proclaim that approximately 14.4 million Americans take an antipsychotic medication. The drugs are typically prescribed for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or a number of other behavioral disorders — making them among the most prescribed drugs in the U.S. Unfortunately, despite their widespread use, most of the medications are known to cause the metabolic side effects [...]
A viral disease long suspected of possibly causing mental illness has apparently been acquitted, as a blinded case-control study found no association between the Borna disease virus (BDV) and mental health disorders. Prior studies have linked the virus to mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder and dementia. Investigators were open-minded to the [...]
Although the literature suggests people have a hard time predicting emotions, a new study finds that maybe we are not as bad as previously imagined. “Psychology has focused on how we mess up and how stupid we are,” said University of Texas at Austin psychologist Dr. Samuel D. Gosling. He and colleague Michael Tyler Mathieu suspected [...]
New research suggests the solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE), used in dry cleaning and once found in drinking water, may be linked to an increased risk of mental illness. PCE is widely used in industry and to dry clean clothes. Prior studies suggests PCE is a neurotoxin that can cause mood changes, anxiety, and depression in people [...]
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worries. Approximately 90,000 Americans or three percent of the population suffer from GAD, a condition that adversely affects their health and quality of life. Although GAD is difficult to overcome, new research suggests regular exercise can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms in patients with [...]
The American Heart Association has good news for those living with cardiovascular disease: They can resume normal sexual activity if the heart disease is stable. Often men and women with cardiovascular diseases are fearful of sexual relations. And a decrease in sexual activity and function is often related to anxiety and depression. The AHA statement, published online in Circulation: [...]
A laboratory study on rats has led researchers to propose that the growing adolescent brain causes teens to be more susceptible to developing disorders like addiction and depression. The University of Pittsburgh study compared the brain activity of adolescent and adult rats involved in a task in which they anticipated a reward. The researchers found increased [...]
New research explains why people often “chicken out” of doing something risky or potentially embarrassing. In a new paper published in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, researchers from the University of Colorado-Boulder and Carnegie Mellon University say this “illusion of courage” is one example of an “empathy gap,” which is an inability to imagine [...]
Is it a sign of the times that researchers suggest the longstanding belief that marriage conveys unique physical and psychological benefits is outdated? A new study, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, finds that marriage provides few additional benefits compared to couples living together. While researchers did discover marriage and cohabitation provide benefits [...]
Is it a sign of the times that researchers suggest the longstanding belief that marriage conveys unique physical and psychological benefits is outdated? A new study, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, finds that marriage provides few additional benefits compared to couples living together. While researchers did discover marriage and cohabitation provide benefits [...]
