Aggressiveness responses in mice depend on the instigator, study finds Displaced aggression, such as lashing out at an unrelated individual after a frustrating experience, is a well-documented phenomenon in both humans and animals. Read More
Air India crash can be a trigger for the millions who have ‘aerophobia’—mental health experts offer advice The horrendous images of the Air India plane that crashed yesterday, killing at least 200 of the 242 people who were aboard, are likely to escalate anxiety among many who have an intense fear of flying, say mental health experts. Read More
Brain cortex structure linked to mental abilities and psychiatric disorders The cerebral cortex, the outermost layer of the brain, is the central driver of various human capabilities, including decision-making, perception, language and memory. Understanding how the morphology (i.e., structure and shape) of people's cerebral cortex is related to their mental health is a long-standing goal for many neuroscientists, as it could help to predict the risk that people will develop specific neuropsychiatric conditions while also contributing to their diagnosis and potentially informing their treatment. Read More
Review finds 34% reduction in suicide risk following electroconvulsive therapy in patients with severe depression A newly published analysis reveals that individuals with severe depression who received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were 34% less likely to die by suicide compared to those treated with standard alternatives such as anti-depressant medication. Read More
Integration of psychosomatic and psychiatric diagnostic systems: Redesigning personalized treatment Although psychosomatic medicine is regarded as a branch of psychiatry in many countries, some of its diagnostic concepts are not fully encompassed by mainstream psychiatric diagnostic systems. When these two systems are integrated, the interrelationships among various diagnoses and their associations with psychopathologies remain to be elucidated. Read More
Study finds word recognition is shaped by spelling-to-meaning consistency in neighbors The architecture and processes underlying visual word recognition represent some of the most intricate systems in human cognition. The seemingly simple act of reading a word involves not only a complex interplay between cognitive layers but also relationships between the word's spelling, phonology, and meaning. Read More
The complex reality of college student mental health: Data reveal both challenges and positive trends The word "crisis" is used frequently and, I would argue, inaccurately, to depict the psychological well-being of today's college students. Read More
Endometriosis: Difficult childhood linked with greater likelihood of being diagnosed About 1 in 10 women worldwide have endometriosis. This common condition causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow in other parts of the body. This can result in painful periods, chronic pain and even infertility. Read More
Study finds no behavioral impact on children with preterm-born siblings—children without siblings show more difficulties A study published in PLOS Mental Health has explored whether having a sibling born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation) affects the behavior of children born at term. Read More
Anxiety is the most common mental health problem—here’s how tech could help manage it Anxiety disorders are the world's most common mental health problem. But it isn't always easy to get professional help, with long waiting lists in many countries. Read More