January 5, 2021
by Patricia Tomasi
Anxiety is an emotion that is central to human experience which can also cause immense suffering for millions of children and adults when it goes awry. A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience looked at the biological roots of anxiety. “Anxiety disorders are the most common family of mental illnesses, and they impose a staggered burden on global public health and the economy,” study author Alexander J. Shackman told us.
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October 31, 2020
by Elizabeth Pratt
The “love hormone” oxytocin can occasionally have anti-social effects depending on where in the brain it is created.
Oxytocin, a hormone that can regulate prosocial behaviors like trust, bonding and empathy has also been demonstrated to play a role in anti-social behaviors like envy, anxiety and reduction in cooperation.
How the hormone could have such opposing roles has long remained a mystery, but researchers from UC Davis have uncovered how this might happen.
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October 30, 2020
by Elizabeth Pratt
Americans are overwhelmed with multiple sources of stress.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the United States is facing a national mental health crisis that could have consequences well into the future.
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October 29, 2020
by Elizabeth Pratt
Gen Z are experiencing increased stress levels due to uncertainties in their future.
The American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America Report for 2020 found that Gen Z adults aged 18-23 reported the highest stress levels in the month prior at an average of 6.1 out of 10.
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October 23, 2020
by Tina Arnoldi
Despite some detrimental impact on vulnerable individuals, a recent survey did not find a large increase in loneliness as a result COVID-19. Instead, they found remarkable resilience in response to it. Some participants perceived more social and emotional support during the pandemic.
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July 20, 2020
by Amy Rollo
Looking back at the start of the pandemic, I witnessed two things. Shutting down- disengaging and stopping normal activities. Alternatively, doing too much- hoarding toilet paper, fighting people over cleaning wipes, and stocking up on food. Reading the news, it looked like everyone was losing their minds… me included. Understanding the polyvagal theory is helpful in understanding why people function the way they do in times of stress, and also why we as a society, have had a hard time regulating our emotions and behaviors again.
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June 26, 2020
by Tina Arnoldi
Marie Kondo’s book on tidying up resulted in an increase in sales on organizational supplies, even more so when her Netflix series was released. She’s back in the spotlight with her recent release, “Joy at Work”, about decluttering in the workplace.
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May 22, 2020
by Tina Arnoldi
A recent study in “Stress & Health” suggests that while stress can lead to known negative health outcomes, such as depression or cardiovascular disease, there are also potential benefits.
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May 19, 2020
by Patricia Tomasi
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects eight per cent of adults in the United States. That means eight million Americans suffer from PTSD annually. Women are more likely to suffer from PTSD than men. While 10 per cent of women develop PTSD at some point in their lives, four per cent of men will experience PTSD. One of the responses to PTSD is anger as well as depression, chronic pain, sleep problems, substance misuse, suicide, and grief. A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience examined the link between traumatic stress and aggression.
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April 10, 2020
by Tina Arnoldi
According to a human rights experts that performed psychological evaluations with immigrants, they stated that separation of families by immigration officials amounts to torture. In an investigation, “You Will Never See Your Child Again: The Persistent Psychological Effects of Family Separation,” Physicians for Human rights evaluated 17 adults and nine children from Central America who had been separated between 60 and 69 days.
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