Anxiety News and Research

Latest Anxiety News and Research

Why experts say PCOS needs a new name

A Lancet Health Policy paper reports an international consensus process that selected polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) as the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The change aims to shift the focus away from ovarian cysts and better reflect the condition’s endocrine, metabolic, and ovarian features.

13 May 2026

Labeling feelings helps manage uncertainty-driven anxiety in people with autism

We feel more anxious when facing uncertain or unpredictable situations, but for those who score higher on autistic traits, this anxiety tends to be stronger.

13 May 2026

New fMRI neurofeedback study trains the brain to reduce depressive rumination

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is far from a cookie-cutter diagnosis. Different patients report suffering from different subsets of symptoms, yet most are ultimately prescribed the same first-line treatments - typically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)- regardless of their individual experience.

13 May 2026

Targeted ultrasound stimulation alters brain processing to reduce chronic pain

Using ultrasound to stimulate a specific part of the brain could offer a non-invasive therapy that benefits those experiencing chronic pain, a new study has suggested.

13 May 2026

Cannabis and tobacco co-use may increase psychosis risk

A new multisite study published in Nature Mental Health found that using cannabis and tobacco together increases the risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia among those considered high risk.

12 May 2026

Timing of trauma strongly influences adult brain function and behavior

A research team from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology), in collaboration with the IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini in Genoa (Italy), has demonstrated that traumatic experiences occurring at specific stages of life - particularly from childhood through the early years following adolescence - have persistent effects on brain development and adult behavior.

12 May 2026

Why older adults are turning to edible cannabis for sleep, pain, and mood

Older adults in Colorado were drawn to edible cannabis mainly to manage sleep problems, pain, anxiety, or depression, often after concerns about conventional medicines or limited relief from other treatments. Most participants preferred THC-CBD combination products, but they remained uncertain about dosing, impairment, effectiveness, and how to choose the right cannabinoid ratio.

12 May 2026

Researchers map the brain histamine system to understand mental health

New research, from King's College London and the University of Porto, has mapped the histamine system in the brain. Histamine, a molecule more commonly associated with allergies, plays a separate but poorly understood role in brain function.

12 May 2026

FoMO and anxiety may increase addictive eating risk

Research shows FoMO influences addictive eating, with anxiety heightening reward-driven cravings for ultra-processed foods and compulsive overeating.

12 May 2026

Mental stress can weaken muscle performance

Cognitive pressure disrupts muscle control and blood flow, highlighting its role in physical performance during low-intensity motor activities.

12 May 2026

Gene mapping highlights strong immune and brain connections in depression

Neurons and white blood cells differ greatly in shape, function, and location within the body. However, researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil discovered that certain genes are equally dysregulated in both cell types in people with depression.

11 May 2026

Psychological frameworks help AI models to provide better health care advice

Researchers at Technische Universität Berlin have discovered that teaching Large Language Models (LLMs) to mimic human intuition and reasoning significantly improves their ability to provide accurate medical care-seeking advice.

11 May 2026

What drives adult ADHD symptoms? Study points to executive function over environment

Adults diagnosed with ADHD later in life had fewer childhood symptoms than those diagnosed in childhood, but both groups showed similar symptom severity in adulthood. Executive function, rather than childhood trauma, resilience, or parental bonding, was the strongest correlate of current ADHD symptoms across both diagnostic-history groups.

10 May 2026

Autistic people gain measurable police-interaction skills after short VR training

A randomized controlled trial found that Floreo’s virtual reality Police Safety Module helped autistic teens and adults reduce fidgeting during live police-interaction assessments compared with video-based BeSAFE training. Both groups reported greater knowledge and comfort after training, but the clearest behavioral gains were seen in the VR group, supporting immersive practice as a promising tool for safer police encounters.

10 May 2026

Clinicians find evolutionary explanations for anxiety more helpful than genetics

Mental health clinicians are over five times more likely to see evolutionary explanations of anxiety as helpful for their patients, rather than the genetic approaches currently taught to trainee doctors and psychiatrists in the UK and US, a new study shows.

8 May 2026

Digital therapy apps improve mental health support for college students

College students with anxiety, depression and eating disorders may be more likely to start and to respond more positively to therapy offered via a digital app compared to referrals to in-person campus clinics, according to a study led by Penn State researchers and published today (May 7) in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.

7 May 2026

Advancing Menopause Care: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Vasomotor Symptoms

Menopause symptoms like hot flushes can be debilitating. Dr. Katie Barber highlights new treatments, including fezolinetant, for improved patient care.

7 May 2026

How the fear of being labeled shameless impacts mental health

New research in the PsyCh Journal introduces and validates a psychological concept called atimiaphobia-defined as an intense fear of losing honor or being labeled shameless.

7 May 2026

Virtual reality training improves police interactions for autistic individuals

A new study led by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Joseph's University found that an innovative virtual reality intervention was helpful for improving interactions between autistic teens and adults and law enforcement officers.

5 May 2026

Genetic background shapes outcomes in chromosome 16 deletion disorders

Individuals that share the same deletion of a portion of chromosome 16 are at risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, but some experience severe intellectual disability or developmental delay, while others may only exhibit milder psychiatric features like depression or anxiety.

5 May 2026