Migraines? Get Moving: Exercise Can Help Curb Attacks

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• February 24, 2021
• Full Page

Anyone who gets frequent migraine symptoms knows the experience: the throbbing, the pain, the visual disturbances.

Exercise has long been a potential way to reduce migraine triggers, but a new study suggests it could be an especially effective with triggers such stress, ...

Short Course of Psychotherapy Can Help Ease Panic Disorder

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• February 22, 2021
• Full Page

MONDAY, Feb. 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- New research offers up hopeful news for the millions of people struggling with panic disorder. Two relatively brief types of psychotherapy can help alleviate the often-debilitating symptoms of this anxiety disorder.<...

Panic Attack or Heart Attack? Here's How to Tell the Difference

• Cara Murez
• February 19, 2021
• Full Page

A heart attack and a panic attack share many similar symptoms, so it's crucial to determine which one it is, experts say.

Chest pain, racing heart, shortness of breath and sweating can occur with both, but only a heart attack can be fatal, according to a team at Penn Sta...

Mental Illness in Childhood Could Mean Worse Physical Health Decades Later

• Ernie Mundell and Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporters
• February 18, 2021
• Full Page

As if suffering from a mental illness as a child isn't tough enough, new research suggests it could predict higher odds for physical ills in later life.

There was one silver lining to the findings, however.

Knowing that childhood mental illness is a factor, "you ca...

Mental Health Trauma Plagues Wildfire Survivors

• Steven Reinberg
• February 16, 2021
• Full Page

The 2018 wildfire that destroyed 239 square miles in Northern California, including the town of Paradise, left a lasting mental health crisis in its wake.

Many residents who survived the so-called Camp Fire are now grappling with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (P...

Tense Times Mean More Tooth-Grinding, Dentists Warn

• Robert Preidt
• February 3, 2021
• Full Page

If pandemic-related stress has you grinding your teeth, you're not alone.

Dentists say tooth-grinding and jaw-clenching are on the rise due to the many challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We've been seeing an increase in the number of patients looking ...

Music Could Be a Post-Op Panacea, Study Finds

• Ernie Mundell and Cara Murez HealthDay Reporters
• January 29, 2021
• Full Page

Heart surgery can be stressful, but researchers may have found a way to reduce patients' anxiety and postoperative pain -- without any extra side effects.

A team from the Netherlands found that the simple act of listening to music around the time of surgery may help pat...

Kids Aren't Scared by Medical Workers' PPE, Study Finds

• Robert Preidt
• January 26, 2021
• Full Page

Kids aren't scared when surgical staff wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and many feel reassured by use of the gear, researchers say.

Anxiety is common before, during and after surgery, and can result in complications such as pain and delayed recovery. Concerns h...

Anxiety, Depression and Drinking: An Unhealthy Combo During the Pandemic

• Steven Reinberg
• January 25, 2021
• Full Page

People with anxiety and depression are more likely to step up their drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic than those without these mental health issues, an online survey revealed.

Alcohol use grew the most among young people, but older adults with anxiety and depression ...

Stressed Out By the News? Here's Tips to Help Cope

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• January 20, 2021
• Full Page

Be kind to your heart and health and turn off the news, doctors say.

Northwestern University experts suggest checking in on current events a couple of times a day and no more. Constant updates can fuel anxiety and depression, they warn.

"As a practicing preventive ...

The Family Cat Could Be Good Medicine for Kids With Autism

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• January 19, 2021
• Full Page

Cats have a long history of boosting people's moods and brightening their days. And that's probably true for kids on the autism spectrum as well, new research shows.

The small study suggests that adopting a shelter cat may help reduce separation anxiety and improve ...

Many Parents Support 'Teens Helping Teens' Mental Health Programs at Schools: Poll

• Cara Murez
• January 19, 2021
• Full Page

It may take a village to support teens' mental health, whether it's during the pandemic or later.

One option is having school-based mental health programs that offer peer support leaders.

A new C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at Mi...

How Divorce Harms Kids, and How to Lessen That Harm

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• January 19, 2021
• Full Page

Kids who see their parents bicker during a separation or divorce are more likely to develop a fear of abandonment, new research warns.

And even if a youngster feels close to one or both parents, that fear can still undermine his or her mental health down the road.

...

'Mindfulness' on Your Mind? It Has Limits, Review Finds

• Denise Mann
• January 14, 2021
• Full Page

Mindfulness is all the rage when it comes to boosting mental health, but new research suggests that it may not help everyone equally.

Practicing mindfulness meditation -- which involves paying close attention to what you are feeling in the moment -- may be better than do...

For Many Cancer Patients, Diagnosis Brings Psychological 'Silver Lining'

• Amy Norton
• January 11, 2021
• Full Page

Could a cancer diagnosis sometimes produce positive life changes? In a new study, many people with colon cancer, even in advanced stages, believed their diagnosis had brought some beneficial effects to their lives.

In surveys of 133 colon cancer patients, researchers fo...

Coping With Anxiety, Fear During a Rocky Presidential Transition

• Dennis Thompson
• January 8, 2021
• Full Page

The nation is in a state of shock and outrage over Wednesday's riotous siege on the U.S. Capitol Building by supporters of President Donald Trump, and there could be still worse to come before the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

So, taking care of your...

Survey Shows Mental Woes Spiked in U.S. Pandemic's First Months

• Cara Murez
• January 6, 2021
• Full Page

It may be no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing some Americans significant psychological distress. That mental trauma hit people hard, even early in the pandemic, new research shows.

A new RAND Corporation study reports that more than 10% of Americans surveye...

Kids With Congenital Heart Disease Face Higher Odds of Mental Health Issues

• Denise Mann
• January 5, 2021
• Full Page

Kids born with heart defects may be more likely to develop anxiety, depression and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), regardless of the severity of their heart condition.

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the United Sta...

Pandemic May Be Tougher on Women's Mental Health Than Men's

• Robert Preidt
• December 30, 2020
• Full Page

The COVID-19 pandemic may be taking a bigger toll on women's mental health than on men's, new research suggests.

For the study, researchers examined the results of an online survey of 112 men and 459 women in Canada. The survey took place between March 23 and June 7, 202...

ADHD Raises Adult Suicide Risk, Especially for Women

• Amy Norton
• December 29, 2020
• Full Page

Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a strikingly high prevalence of attempted suicide, with women being at particular risk, researchers say.

The study of nearly 22,000 Canadian adults found that 14% of those with ADHD had attempted suici...

Think You Gained Weight During Quarantine? You Might Be Wrong

• December 25, 2020
• Full Page

That "quarantine 15" weight gain may be all in your head, not on your hips.

A team from Florida State University (FSU) compared information on actual and perceived weight changes among a sample of college students from January to April 2020. Participants were far more li...

Pandemic Taking Big Mental Health Toll on Health Care Workers

• Cara Murez
• December 23, 2020
• Full Page

Frontline health care workers have been through tremendous challenges this past year while treating COVID-19 patients throughout the world.

It should come as no surprise that many are having trouble emotionally.

A new study looked at the impact of the pandemic on ...

Loneliness Continues to Rise for Americans Under Lockdown

• Denise Mann
• December 15, 2020
• Full Page

Loneliness, particularly among folks under shelter-in-place orders, is a growing issue for Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, new research finds.

More people report they are feeling lonely, depressed and even harboring thoughts of suicide as COVID-19 cases in the...

Depression in Youth Ups Odds for Adult Illnesses: Study

• Robert Preidt
• December 14, 2020
• Full Page

Having depression during childhood or in the teen years appears to increase the odds of illness and early death later on, researchers say.

The new long-term study included nearly 1.5 million Swedes. Of those, more than 37,000 were diagnosed with depression at least once ...

COVID Fuels Depression Among Pregnant Women, New Moms

• Cara Murez
• December 9, 2020
• Full Page

COVID-19 may be behind a concerning rise in the number of women suffering anxiety and depression before and soon after childbirth, a new study says.

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston surveyed more than 1,100 pregnant and postpartum women between Ma...

Rap Music Is Putting Mental Health in the Spotlight

• Alan Mozes
• December 8, 2020
• Full Page

Beat-heavy rap music could help beat mental illness: Over the past two decades, the lyrics of the most popular songs in rap have increasingly hit on issues related to anxiety, depression and mental health, a new study reveals.

"I think anyone who's been a fan of rap musi...

Young Epilepsy Patients May Benefit From Mental Health Screening

• Robert Preidt
• December 4, 2020
• Full Page

Depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts are more common in children and teens with epilepsy than previously known, and they should be screened for such problems, researchers report.

They assessed 119 children and teens, aged 9 to18, with epilepsy. None had been diagnos...

Need an IV or Stitches? Virtual Reality or Hypnosis Might Ease Pain

• Steven Reinberg
• December 1, 2020
• Full Page

Virtual reality glasses or hypnosis can relieve pain and anxiety in people having short medical procedures, a new study finds.

For those getting an IV catheter or stitches to close a wound, for example, these distraction techniques reduce the need for painkillers, say r...

Almost Half of Americans Worry About Surprise Medical Bills: Poll

• Steven Reinberg
• December 1, 2020
• Full Page

Nearly half of Americans fear unexpected medical bills and 44% say they couldn't pay a $1,000 surprise bill, a new poll shows.

Those fears aren't unfounded. Among those with private health insurance, 68% have received unexpected medical bills and 33% couldn't pay them on...

Anxiety Might Speed Alzheimer's: Study

• Amy Norton
• November 24, 2020
• Full Page

Older adults with memory problems may progress to Alzheimer's more quickly if they are also suffering from anxiety symptoms, a preliminary study suggests.

It's common for people with Alzheimer's disease to have mood symptoms, including anxiety and depression. And some re...

Many Young Americans Lonely, Depressed During Pandemic: Survey

• Robert Preidt
• November 20, 2020
• Full Page

Loneliness, anxiety, depression and substance use have increased sharply among young American adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey shows.

Over 1,000 people aged 18 to 35 took part in the online anonymous questionnaire between April 22 and May 11, 2020. Nearly ha...

Is the Pandemic Harming Kids' Mental Health?

• Alan Mozes
• November 13, 2020
• Full Page

FRIDAY, Nov. 13, 2020 (HealthDay) -- Since last April, hospital emergency rooms across the United States have seen a sustained surge in visits related to the mental health of school-aged kids, a new report reveals.

The findings suggest the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a t...

Birth Control Pill Won't Raise Depression Risk

• Cara Murez
• November 12, 2020
• Full Page

Women who struggle with mental health problems will sometimes forgo the most effective forms of birth control because of concerns about worsening those issues, but a new study delivers a reassuring finding: The pill and other forms of hormonal birth control do not raise depres...

B 11/11 Who Are The Loneliest Americans, And Why?

• Robin Foster and Carole Tanzer Miller
• November 11, 2020
• Full Page

Young adults are the loneliest Americans, according to a new study that examined the causes of loneliness throughout adulthood.

Researchers analyzed responses from more than 2,800 people nationwide (ages 20-69) who participated in an online survey.

They found that ...

'Green Prescriptions' May Backfire for Some

• Steven Reinberg
• November 9, 2020
• Full Page

So-called "green prescriptions" may end up being counterproductive for people with mental health conditions, researchers say.

Spending time in nature is believed to benefit mental health, so some doctors are beginning to "prescribe" outdoor time for their patients.

Teens Benefit With Less Screen Time, More Time With Sports and Art

• Steven Reinberg
• November 9, 2020
• Full Page

Walking away from TV, laptops and cellphones and spending more time in sports and other extracurricular activities boosts teens' mental health, Canadian researchers say.

Spending less than two hours a day browsing the internet, playing video games and using social media ...

Coping With the Stress of This Election

• Dennis Thompson
• November 4, 2020
• Full Page

Americans who woke up this morning to an undecided Presidential election might rightfully be feeling lots of anxiety, both about their personal futures as well as the fate of the nation.

There are plentiful jokes online about drinking election stress away, but mental hea...

Tired, Anxious, Overweight: How Lockdowns May Have Harmed Your Health

• Dennis Thompson
• October 29, 2020
• Full Page

You might be onto something if you suspect your mental and physical health declined during the COVID-19 lockdown earlier this year.

Stay-at-home orders appear to have had an overall bad effect on people's health around the world, a global survey shows.

People repor...

For Some Black Women, DNA Could Magnify Racism's Toll on Health

• Alan Mozes
• October 28, 2020
• Full Page

Many aspects of daily living can trigger stress. But for Black women, everyday stressors plus racial discrimination and a specific genetic mutation may increase the risk for obesity, diabetes and heart disease, researchers say.

The EBF1 mutation is found in roug...

Most Americans Anxious About Climate Change: Poll

• Steven Reinberg
• October 28, 2020
• Full Page

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 28, 2020 (Healthday News) -- Nearly 7 in 10 Americans are very anxious about the effect of climate change on the planet and more than half worry about its impact on their mental health, a new poll reveals.

The percentage of Americans who say climate chang...

Got Election Anxiety? Experts Have Coping Tips

• Cara Murez
• October 28, 2020
• Full Page

It may be no surprise that this year's presidential election is taking a toll on the mental health of Americans.

In a new Harris Poll survey, conducted on behalf of the American Psychological Association, 68% of U.S. adults said the 2020 election is a significan...

Got Election Anxiety? Experts Have Coping Tips

• Cara Roberts Murez
• October 27, 2020
• Full Page

It may be no surprise that this year's presidential election is taking a toll on the mental health of Americans.

In a new Harris Poll survey, conducted on behalf of the American Psychological Association, 68% of U.S. adults said the 2020 election is a sig...

More Than Half of Americans Know Someone Infected or Ill With COVID: Poll

• Dennis Thompson
• October 22, 2020
• Full Page

More than half of all Americans have been personally affected by COVID-19 at this point in the pandemic, according to a new HealthDay-Harris Poll survey.

The national survey was conducted by The Harris Poll between Oct. 8 and 12. It found that 55% of U.S. ...

Pandemic Putting Americans Under Great Mental Strain: Poll

• Steven Reinberg
• October 20, 2020
• Full Page

COVID-19, health care, the economy, systemic racism and the presidential election are a threat to the nation's mental health, according to an American Psychological Association (APA) poll.

Seventy-eight percent of adults polled said the pandemic is causing major str...

Reduced Drinking May Improve Veterans' Chronic Pain

• Robert Preidt
• October 9, 2020
• Full Page

Cutting back on booze may reduce chronic pain and use of other substances among U.S. veterans who are heavy drinkers, according to a new report.

The study included about 1,500 veterans who completed annual surveys between 2003 and 2015, and reported heavy drinking in...

4 in 10 Teens, Young Adults Have Used CBD Oil, Study Finds

• Amy Norton
• October 6, 2020
• Full Page

Many teenagers and young adults may be using so-called CBD products, often in the belief that they will aid health conditions, a preliminary study suggests.

Researchers found that of 200 U.S. teens and young adults who landed in their emergency room, 40% said the...

Pandemic Has More Americans Turning to Booze

• Alan Mozes
• September 29, 2020
• Full Page

Is the coronavirus pandemic driving people to drink?

Yes, a new U.S. survey shows, and the greatest spike in alcohol use is being seen in women.

Overall, there was a 14% jump in drinking frequency this past spring among U.S. adults over 30 when compared...

Lockdown Could Worsen Hearing Woes for U.S. Seniors

• Steven Reinberg
• September 29, 2020
• Full Page

Isolation due to the pandemic and failure to get hearing aids checked has fueled anxiety, depression and more hearing loss for many seniors.

"This has been a very difficult time as senior facilities and individuals try to balance poor health outcomes related to COVID...

COVID Bites: Cracked Teeth Another Coronavirus Scourge

• Alan Mozes
• September 24, 2020
• Full Page

Dentists are drilling down on another worrying trend related to the coronavirus: more cracked teeth.

Like sleepless nights and stomach jitters, teeth grinding is a telltale sign of stress. And the habit -- which can damage and break your choppers -- is sending people...

Baby's Heart Rate Reflects Mom's Mental Health

• Robert Preidt
• September 22, 2020
• Full Page

Babies of mothers with anxiety or depression can have significantly higher heart rates than normal, a new study finds.

And this might put them at risk for long-term problems, researchers say.

Mother-infant interaction plays a crucial role in children's heal...