Decluttering can be stressful. A clinical psychologist explains how personal values can make it easier I recently helped my mom sort through boxes she inherited when my grandparents passed away. One box was labeled—either ironically or genuinely—"toothpick holders and other treasures." Inside were many keepsakes from moments now lost to history—although we found no toothpick holders. Read More
Study suggests around 1 in 5 UK medical students considers dropping out: Mental health is key contributor Around one in five UK medical students consider dropping out of medical school, with mental health issues a key contributor to their intention to abandon medicine, suggest the results of an observational study published in the open access journal BMJ Open. Read More
Poor childhood social and cognitive skills combo linked to teens’ poor exam results The combination of poorly developed social and cognitive skills during childhood is linked to poor exam results by the age of 16, with those for whom these issues persist throughout their childhood more than four times as likely not to pass at least five GCSEs, finds research published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. Read More
When teen body image becomes a deadly perception Adolescents who perceive themselves as overweight are three times more likely to consider committing self-harm compared to those who do not, regardless of whether the person is objectively overweight, according to a new study released by The University of Texas at Arlington. Read More
Coping with heartbreak ahead of Valentine’s Day? You’re not alone The agonizing feeling of a recent heartbreak might sting a little harder on Valentine's Day, and while this sensation might seem never-ending, healing from a breakup is crucial. A Baylor College of Medicine psychologist details how to manage a breakup amid the celebration of love. Read More
Nurses worldwide experience stress, loss and violence since pandemic A first-of-its-kind study provides a snapshot of the substantial mental health burden on nurses around the world. Published in the journal International Nursing Review, the research documents the impact of three years of intense working conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Study highlights importance of sleep for mental well-being of teenage girls A new study by researchers at The University of Manchester, using data from the #BeeWell survey, has found that sleep plays a crucial role in the mental well-being of adolescent girls. Read More
New book examines patterns of self-criticism and isolation Perfectionism has a dark side, says Ellen Hendriksen, a clinical psychologist and faculty member at Boston University, in her new book "How to Be Enough: Self-Acceptance for Self-Critics and Perfectionists." In this edited conversation with the Gazette, Hendriksen, whose résumé includes a fellowship at Harvard Medical School, shares her insights on how to roll back tendencies that can lead to painful patterns of self-criticism and isolation. Read More
Different songs for different days: Why it’s important to actively choose the music for your mood Many of us take pleasure in listening to music. Music accompanies important life events and lubricates social encounters. It represents aspects of our existing identity, as well as our hopes and dreams. It expresses emotions that cannot be explained with words. Music also distracts us from boredom and difficulty and helps us escape into another world. Read More
Cerebellar serotonin offers potential new strategy for relieving anxiety Understanding the neural circuits that drive anxiety may help researchers discover circuit-specific targets and therefore increase the precision of treatment strategies. Previous studies have separately suggested that increased serotonin levels and the cerebellum may play roles in anxiety. Read More