ScienceDaily: Stress News

Hormone levels may provide key to understanding psychological disorders in women

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:17:17 EDT

Women at a particular stage in their monthly menstrual cycle may be more vulnerable to some of the psychological side-effects associated with stressful experiences, according to a study from UCL.

For combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, 'fear circuitry' in the brain never rests

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:32:32 EDT

Chronic trauma can inflict lasting damage to brain regions associated with fear and anxiety. Previous imaging studies of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, have shown that these brain regions can over-or under-react in response to stressful tasks.

Skydiving is never 'plane sailing'

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:57:57 EDT

Skydivers show the same level of physical stress before every jump whether a first-timer or experienced jumper, say researchers.

Work-related stress linked to increased blood fat levels, cardiovascular health risks

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:38:38 EDT

New results link job stress to dyslipidemia, a disorder that alters the levels of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood. An altered lipid profile is dangerous for the heart.

Posttraumatic stress disorder associated with type 2 diabetes

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:38:38 EDT

The presence of posttraumatic stress disorder is significantly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.

Chronic pain sufferers likely to have anxiety

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:31:31 EDT

Patients coping with chronic pain should also be evaluated for anxiety disorders, according to new research.

Self-affirmation improves problem-solving under stress

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:29:29 EDT

New research provides the first evidence that self-affirmation can protect against the damaging effects of stress on problem-solving performance. Understanding that self-affirmation -- the process of identifying and focusing on one's most important values -- boosts stressed individuals' problem-solving abilities will help guide future research and the development of educational interventions.

Violent video games have lower effects on highly-exposed teens

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:50:50 EDT

Teenagers who are highly exposed to violent video games —- three or more hours per day -— show blunted physical and psychological responses to playing a violent game, reports a new study.

Persistent pain after stressful events may have a neurobiological basis

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:55:55 EDT

A new study is the first to identify a genetic risk factor for persistent pain after traumatic events such as motor vehicle collision and sexual assault. The study also contributes further evidence that persistent pain after stressful events has a specific biological basis.

Workplace stress poses risk to health

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:09:09 EDT

Stressful situations at work can have a negative impact on the cardiovascular system and the metabolism. Stress, which is transmitted by direct and indirect signaling pathways, leads to an inflammatory response in the body, which can trigger cardiovascular diseases, amongst others.

Social stress and the inflamed brain

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:38:38 EDT

Depression is the leading cause of disability with more than 350 million people globally affected by this disease. In addition to debilitating consequences on mental health, depression predisposes an individual to physiological disease such as heart disease, and conversely heart disease increases the risk of depression.

Intranasal neuropeptide Y may offer therapeutic potential for post-traumatic stress disorder

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:38:38 EDT

Stress triggered neuropsychiatric disorders take an enormous personal, social and economic toll on society. In the US more than half of adults are exposed to at least one traumatic event throughout their lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a debilitating anxiety disorder associated with exposure to a traumatic event outside the range of normal human experience.

Acute stress primes brain for better cognitive and mental performance

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:45:45 EDT

Chronic stress is known to cause major health problems, yet acute stress can be good for you. A new study shows why. Stress generates new nerve cells in the brain that, two weeks later, help you learn better. Thus, unlike chronic stress, acute stress primes the brain for improved cognitive and mental performance.

Most effective PTSD therapies are not being widely used, researchers find

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:24:24 EDT

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects nearly 8 million adults in any given year, federal statistics show. Fortunately, clinical research has identified certain psychological interventions that effectively ameliorate the symptoms of PTSD. But most people struggling with PTSD don't receive those treatments, according to a new report.

Sustained stress heightens risk of miscarriage

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:39:39 EDT

Researchers have discovered that pregnant women living under continuous political and military stress have a 59 percent increased risk of miscarriage. The findings, based upon studies conducted on women in the Israeli town of Sderot, which is constantly under threat of rocket bombings from Gaza, demonstrate the importance of early intervention provided by health care professionals.

Reframing stress: Stage fright can be your friend

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:30:30 EDT

Fear of public speaking tops death and spiders as the nation’s number one phobia. But new research shows that learning to rethink the way we view our shaky hands, pounding heart, and sweaty palms can help people perform better both mentally and physically.

Brain's stress circuits undergo profound learning early in life, scientists find

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:33:33 EDT

Researchers have discovered that stress circuits in the brain undergo profound learning early in life. Using a number of cutting edge approaches, including optogenetics, scientists have shown stress circuits are capable of self-tuning following a single stress. These findings demonstrate that the brain uses stress experience during early life to prepare and optimize for subsequent challenges.

Research identifies co-factors critical to PTSD development

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:42:42 EDT

New research has found that the action of a specific gene occurring during exposure to adolescent trauma is critical for the development of adult-onset post-traumatic stress disorder.

Few effective, evidence-based interventions to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder, review finds

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:01:01 EDT

A new review summarizes the results of a systematic review of clinical interventions for adults exposed to at least one traumatic event such as war, a natural or human-made disaster, motor vehicle accidents, community violence, sexual assault or domestic violence.

College athletes twice as likely to have depression than retired collegiate athletes

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:01:01 EDT

A survey of current and former college athletes finds depression levels significantly higher in current athletes, a result that upended the researchers' hypothesis.

Marital conflict causes stress in children, may affect cognitive development

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:02:02 EDT

Marital conflict is a significant source of environmental stress for children. Witnessing such conflict may harm their stress response systems, affecting their mental and intellectual development. Research findings suggest that stress from marital conflict can hinder children's development of cognitive ability.

Arguments in the home linked with babies' brain functioning

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:53:53 EDT

Being exposed to arguments between parents is associated with the way babies' brains process emotional tone of voice, according to a new study. Infants were found to respond to an angry tone of voice, even when they're asleep.

Series of studies first to examine acupuncture's mechanisms of action

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:55:55 EDT

While acupuncture is used widely to treat chronic stress, the mechanism of action leading to reported health benefits are not understood. In a series of studies, researchers are demonstrating how acupuncture can significantly reduce the stress hormone response in an animal model of chronic stress.

Vets' PTSD affects mental and physical health of partners

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:46:46 EST

A new study of veterans with PTSD and their partners looks at intimate relationship conflict and finds greater physiological and anger responses for the male veterans as well as their female partners. Researchers conclude that the findings may have important implications for treatment and services for returning veterans and their families.

Exercise shields children from stress, research indicates

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:15:15 EST

Exercise may play a key role in helping children cope with stressful situations, according to a recent study.

Parents, religion guard against college drinking

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:09:09 EST

Religious college students report less alcohol use than their classmates -- and the reason may have to do with how their parents handle stress, according to new research.

Protein synthesis blocker may hold key to reducing effects of traumatic events

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:16:16 EST

Reducing fear and stress following a traumatic event could be as simple as providing a protein synthesis blocker to the brain, report a team of researchers in a new paper.

Can your breath identify stress?

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:56:56 EST

The perennial stress-buster -- a deep breath -- could become stress-detector. According to a new pilot study, there are six markers in the breath that could be candidates for use as indicators of stress.

Police and firefighters at higher risk for mental disorders following traumatic events

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:12:12 EST

New research suggests that exposure to diverse types of traumatic events among protective services workers is a risk factor for new onset of psychopathology and alcohol use disorders.

Preventing chronic pain with stress management

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:20:20 EST

For chronic pain sufferers, such as people who develop back pain after a car accident, avoiding the harmful effects of stress may be key to managing their condition. This is particularly important for people with a smaller-than-average hippocampus, as these individuals seem to be particularly vulnerable to stress.

Why some soldiers develop PTSD while others don't

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:42:42 EST

Pre-war vulnerability is just as important as combat-related trauma in predicting whether veterans' symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder will be long-lasting, according to new research.

New evidence for link between depression and heart disease

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:16:16 EST

Interleukin-6, an inflammatory biomarker associated with cardiovascular disease, is significantly higher in patients with major depression, a study has found.

Horses don't get stage fright -- but their riders do

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:06:06 EST

It is well known that horses show symptoms of stress when ridden but relatively little attention has been paid to the effects on their riders. This is surprising, as equestrian sports rely on the close cooperation between the animals and their riders. How does the horse-rider team cope with the stress involved in competing in an equestrian event?

Stress at work very unlikely to cause cancer

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:22:22 EST

Work-related stress is not linked to the development of colorectal, lung, breast or prostate cancers, a new study suggests.

Permanent stress can cause type 2 diabetes in men, study suggests

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:44:44 EST

Men who reported permanent stress have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than men who reported no stress. This is the finding of a 35-year prospective follow-up study of 7,500 men in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Work-life balance needed for recovery from job stress

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:33:33 EST

Detaching from work -- mentally, physically and electronically -- is the key to recovery from job stress during nonwork hours, according to an expert.

It actually is better (and healthier) to give than to receive, study finds

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:43:43 EST

A five-year study by researchers at three universities has established that providing tangible assistance to others protects our health and lengthens our lives.

Stress symptoms in midlife predict old-age disability, study shows

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:46:46 EST

Nearly 30 percent of adult workers suffer from work-related stress, and it is commonly acknowledged that stress has damaging effects on individual’s health. A recently published study from Finland provides strong evidence that perceived work-related stress in midlife predicts functional limitations and disability later in old age.

Poor mental health leads to unhealthy behaviors among low-income adults

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:24:24 EST

A new study says binge drinking, smoking, and illegal drug use may be used to cope with depression and anxiety. Poor mental health leads to unhealthy behaviors in low-income adults - not the other way around, according to a new study. In this study, stress and anxiety predicted subsequent health-compromising behaviors, such as smoking, binge drinking, illegal drug use, unprotected sex and unhealthy diets. One possible explanation for these findings is that health compromising behaviors may be used as coping mechanisms to manage the effects of stress and anxiety.

Humanitarian aid workers in Uganda show signs of stress, depression, and burnout

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:24:24 EST

The high risk for mental health problems among staff working in humanitarian organizations in northern Uganda is due in large part to their work environment. Scientists examined the mental health of 376 Ugandan workers at 21 humanitarian aid agencies and found that a significant number of the staff at these organizations experienced high levels of symptoms for depression (68 percent), anxiety disorders (53 percent), and posttraumatic stress disorder (26 percent), respectively.

Emotional stress reduces effectiveness of prostate cancer therapies in animal model

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:20:20 EST

Not surprisingly, a cancer diagnosis creates stress. And patients with prostate cancer show higher levels of anxiety compared to other cancer patients. A new study indicates that stress is not just an emotional side effect of the diagnosis; it also can reduce the effectiveness of prostate cancer drugs and accelerate the development of prostate cancer.

How repeated aggression triggers social aversion in mice

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 06:47:47 EST

One of the mechanisms involved in the onset of stress-induced depression has been highlighted in mice. Scientists have determined the role of the corticosterone (stress hormone) receptor, in the long-term behavioral change triggered by chronic stress. In mice subject to repeated aggressions, this receptor participates in the development of social aversion by controlling the release of dopamine, a key chemical messenger. If this receptor is blocked, the animals become "resilient": although anxious, they overcome the trauma and no longer avoid contact with their fellow creatures.

Stress makes exhausted women over-sensitive to sounds

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:55:55 EST

Women suffering from stress-related exhaustion exhibit hypersensitivity to sounds when exposed to stress. In some cases, a sound level corresponding to a normal conversation can be perceived as painful.

Bullying by childhood peers leaves a trace that can change the expression of a gene linked to mood

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:16:16 EST

A recent study suggests that bullying by peers changes the structure surrounding a gene involved in regulating mood, making victims more vulnerable to mental health problems as they age.

Chronic worriers at higher risk for PTSD, research finds

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:07:07 EST

People who worry constantly are at greater risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, according to new research.

Psychological therapies improve life for children with post-traumatic stress disorder, study suggests

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:33:33 EST

Children suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of traumatic events, including child abuse, may benefit from psychological therapies, according to a new review. In the first systematic review of PTSD in young people, researchers found that children and teenagers diagnosed with PTSD showed signs of improvement up to three months following treatment and called for more studies to assess long-term benefits.

Saliva analysis can reveal decision-making skills

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:06:06 EST

Scientists have demonstrated that cortisol levels in saliva are associated with a person's ability to make good decisions in stressful situations.

Research identifies a way to block memories associated with PTSD or drug addiction

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 12:11:11 EST

New research could lead to better treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and drug addiction by effectively blocking memories. The research has identified a common mechanism in a region of the brain called the pre-limbic cortex, which can suppress the recall of memories linked to both aversive, traumatic experiences associated with PTSD and rewarding memories linked to drug addiction, without permanently altering memories.

Imaging study identifies relationship between stress and seizures

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:14:14 EST

Many epilepsy patients believe that stress is a factor in their seizure control, while many other epilepsy patients do not have this perception. To better understand the potential role of stress among these patients, researchers conducted a functional neuroimaging study of patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy under imposed psychosocial stress.

Childhood trauma leaves mark on DNA of some victims: Gene-environment interaction causes lifelong dysregulation of stress hormones

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 16:40:40 EST

Abused children are at high risk of anxiety and mood disorders, as traumatic experience induces lasting changes to their gene regulation. Scientists have now documented for the first time that genetic variants of the FKBP5 gene can influence epigenetic alterations in this gene induced by early trauma.

Preventing posttraumatic stress disorder by facing trauma memories

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:41:41 EST

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a form of learning that begins at the moment of the exposure to extremely stressful situations and that grows in impact as trauma-related memories are rehearsed and strengthened repeatedly. This somewhat oversimplified view of PTSD yields a powerful prediction: if one could disrupt the rehearsal and strengthening of traumatic memories, a process called reconsolidation of memories, then one might reduce PTSD risk or PTSD severity after potentially traumatic events.

Being bullied can cause trauma symptoms

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:40:40 EST

Problems caused by bullying do not necessarily cease when the abuse stops. Recent research shows that victims may need long-term support.

Stress management counseling in the primary care setting is rare

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:32:32 EST

While stress may be a factor in 60 to 80 percent of all visits to primary care physicians, only three percent of patients actually receive stress management counseling, say researchers.

Embattled childhoods may be the real trauma for soldiers with PTSD

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:06:06 EST

New research on posttraumatic stress disorder in soldiers challenges popular assumptions about the origins and trajectory of PTSD, providing evidence that traumatic experiences in childhood - not combat - may predict which soldiers develop the disorder.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: System under stress

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:38:38 EST

Evidence links autonomic functioning to cognitive impairment in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Babies born to stressed mothers more likely to be bullied at school

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:38:38 EST

Children whose mothers were overly stressed during pregnancy are more likely to become victims of bullying at school, according to new research.

Childhood abuse leads to poor adult health

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:46:46 EST

The psychological scars of childhood abuse can last well into adulthood. New research shows the harm can have long-term negative physical effects, as well as emotional ones.

Brain injury and stress disorder strong indicators of vision problems for veterans

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:34:34 EST

Many veterans of the United States armed forces who have traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder also have undiagnosed, chronic vision problems, according to two studies.

War's impact can haunt veterans long after combat

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:11:11 EST

As the nation marks Veteran’s Day to honor those who have served their country, it’s important to remember that many soldiers battle mental health conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression long after they return from combat.

Children, teens at risk for lasting emotional impact from Hurricane Sandy

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:40:40 EST

The unseen emotional aftershocks of Hurricane Sandy may linger for children who were in the storm's path. A psychologist discusses why children may experience PTSD and how parents and caregivers can help.