Higher levels of anxiety sensitivity were associated with more severe depression in adults with dissociative identity disorder, based on data from 21 individuals. Xi Pan, LICSW, MPA Anxiety sensitivity refers to fear of the signs and symptoms of anxiety based on the individual’s belief that the signs of anxiety will have harmful consequences, wrote Xi … Read more
Two forms of short-term exposure therapy may help reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new research suggests. In a randomized clinical trial comparing an abbreviated form of prolonged exposure (PE) therapy against an intensive outpatient program (IOP) form of PE, military veterans with combat-related PTSD in both groups experienced significant improvements in PTSD symptoms. … Read more
The topic of discussion at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, was how the consequences of climate change may be mitigated. To date, the discussion has been focused on the environment, living conditions, and people’s physical health. However, the effects on the mind are no less dramatic, emphasizing the German … Read more
Heart failure associated with illegitimate use of the psychostimulant methamphetamine (MethHF) is increasing in the US and around the world across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, a literature review indicates. MethHF is associated with increased severity for HF, longer inpatient stay, and more readmissions, compared with non-MethHF, the data show. Clinicians “need to consider methamphetamine … Read more
A brief aerobic exercise intervention can augment the benefits of exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new research suggests. Investigators randomly assigned individuals with PTSD to receive either exposure therapy with aerobic exercise or exposure therapy with passive stretching for 9 weeks. At 6 months post-intervention, participants in the aerobic exercise group showed greater … Read more
A digital intervention may offer a new and effective treatment option for panic disorder (PD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new research suggests. The 28-day home-based treatment, known as the Capnometry Guided Respiratory Intervention (CGRI), uses an app-based feedback protocol to normalize respiration and increase patients’ ability to cope with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and … Read more
PAU, France — Postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tends to get worse over the months following the birth of a child. Therefore, it’s necessary to screen for it as early as possible and to ensure that women who are affected are given the proper treatment. This was the message delivered during the Infogyn 2022 conference … Read more
DENVER (AP) — Colorado voters have passed a ballot initiative to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms for people 21 and older and to create state-regulated “healing centers” where participants can experience the drug under supervision. Colorado becomes the second state, after Oregon, to vote to establish a regulated system for substances like psilocybin and psilocin, the hallucinogens … Read more
Trauma-related dissociation consists of several subtypes, with unique brain signatures depending on the type of dissociative disorders, new research suggests. Results from a neuroimaging study showed that different dissociative symptoms were linked to hyperconnectivity within several key regions of the brain, including the central executive, default, and salience networks, and decreased connectivity of the central … Read more
Visits to emergency departments (EDs) following sexual assault increased 15-fold from 2006 through 2019, as determined from a national database of visits to hospitals in the United States. Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) show an increase in reported rapes and sexual assaults (SAs) since 2006, and studies of victims show an increased … Read more