Gradual exposure and practical tips can reduce flight anxiety

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Many people endure phobias surrounding airplane travel. For some, the debilitating fear could put a damper on summer travel plans. A Baylor College of Medicine psychologist explains how to overcome phobias by facing fears. “It’s very normal and in fact adaptive to have some fear. It keeps us away from dangerous […]
Virtual Reality App trial shown to reduce common phobias

Adam Hutchinson (left) and Associate Professor Cameron Lacey. Credit: University of Otago Results from a University of Otago, Christchurch trial suggest fresh hope for the estimated one-in-twelve people worldwide suffering from a fear of flying, needles, heights, spiders and dogs. The trial, led by Associate Professor Cameron Lacey, from the Department of Psychological Medicine, studied […]
Scared of needles? Claustrophobic? One longer session of exposure therapy could help as much as several short ones

Credit: Pexels, CC BY-SA For the one in 13 people who suffer from phobias, the mere mention of spiders, heights, enclosed spaces or other triggers can cause distress. Fortunately, phobias are highly treatable with a psychological therapy called “exposure therapy” This type of treatment involves interacting with the phobic triggers in a safe environment. Our […]
Breakthrough rapid phobia treatment for children helps to reduce impact on NHS and improve quality of life

Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new rapid phobia treatment for children and young people could help to reduce the impact on NHS and improve quality of life, a new study has found. Research led by the Universities of Sheffield and York and the Leeds & York Partnership NHS Trust, compared one session treatment (OST) and […]
New study highlights importance of mental health in the safety of automated driving

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Automated driving is expected to reduce road deaths and cut the carbon footprint. A study published today in the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, involving Prof. Gunther Meinlschmidt of the International Psychoanalytic University (IPU) Berlin, found that 41% of respondents anticipate experiencing symptoms of phobia when using an autonomous […]
The relationship between anxiety disorders and the extensive use of mobile phones

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Nomophobia, or “NO MObile PHone PhoBIA” is when a person experiences fear or anxiety about not having mobile phone connectivity. Nomophobia is considered a modern phobia. It most likely stems from increased reliance on technology and concern over what might happen if you suddenly couldn’t access needed information. While some people […]
Social phobia amid COVID-19 pandemic? You’re not alone

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The trend of increased social phobia in the modern era, especially among youth, has become a topic that researchers have been pursuing and tackling in the long term. Simultaneously, almost three years after the outbreak of COVID-19, the world is only now beginning to understand and analyze the profound impact this […]
A ‘gene of prejudice’ could help explain variations in human personality and demystify autism

Credit: Cell Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113867 Individuals with the neurodevelopmental disorder Williams syndrome have a gregarious “cocktail party” personality, while those with the opposite genetic alteration, in contrast, tend to have autistic traits and are prone to struggle socially. Now, thanks to new findings by researchers at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at University of […]
Adults’ phobias show up as differences in the brain

Adults’ phobias can be correlated with changes in the structure of their brains, a new study finds. What’s more, the neurological differences seen in adults with phobias are more extensive than those observed in people with other forms of anxiety. Phobia is the most common anxiety disorder, affecting more than 12% of people, said the […]
Research shows the prevalence of mental disorders is higher in transgender, gender-diverse people

There is a higher prevalence of mental disorders and suicidal behavior among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people versus the cisgender population, according to a research letter published online Oct. 2 in JAMA Network Open. Heidi Eccles, from the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, and colleagues investigated the prevalence and risk for mental disorders, substance […]