Anxiety Disorder Review
Experiences and questions related to the debilitating mental disorder Anxiety Disorder should be added here.
How kappa opioid receptors drive anxiety
A cellular mechanism has been discovered by which kappa opioid receptors (KORs) drive anxiety. These proteins inhibit the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate in a part of the brain that regulates emotion. KORs are targets for the treatment of addiction and anxiety disorders. Ref. Source 5h.
Low attention control in early adolescence is a genetic risk factor for anxiety disorders
Low attention control in early adolescence is related to a genetic risk factor for four different anxiety disorders, researchers have found. Young teens who suffer from anxiety are also more vulnerable to additional problems like depression, drug dependence, suicidal behavior and educational underachievement. Ref. Source 5a.
Fear of the unknown common to many anxiety disorders
Several anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific phobias, share a common underlying trait: increased sensitivity to uncertain threat, or fear of the unknown, report researchers. The finding could help steer treatment of these disorders away from diagnosis-based therapies to treating their common characteristics. Ref. Source 3z.
Brain activity buffers against worsening anxiety. Boosting activity in brain areas related to thinking and problem-solving may also protect against worsening anxiety, suggests a new study. Using noninvasive brain imaging, the researchers found that at-risk people were less likely to develop anxiety if they had higher activity in a region of the brain responsible for complex mental operations. The results may be a step towards tailoring psychological therapies to the specific brain functioning of individual patients. Source 9e.
People with anxiety may strategically choose worrying over relaxing. Relaxing is supposed to be good for the body and soul, but people with anxiety may actively resist relaxation and continue worrying to avoid a large jump in anxiety if something bad does happen, according to new research. Source 2q.
Well my experience with anxiety is having a rough time around strangers and big groups. Then having my mind always racing constantly about everything. It can be pretty rough sometimes, especially not being on medication at the moment.
I've seen a rise in anxiety and general stress for me during this year, especially the last few months, which has made it harder to be around people. With a rise in racing thought self, as well as worrying about things I can't change, self esteem, fears of where I will be in the future and more.