Jason Herr Psy.D.

Low Choline Could Be a Hidden Driver of Anxiety

Researchers reviewing 25 brain-imaging studies found an 8% drop in choline levels among people with anxiety disorders compared to those without anxiety.

This pattern was strongest in the prefrontal cortex, a hub for regulating thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

The results suggest that anxiety may involve measurable metabolic imbalances, not just psychological or behavioral factors.

The work opens the door to exploring whether dietary choline or other metabolic interventions could support brain health in anxiety.

Dr Brooke Laufer and I are engaging in the topic of how to be more neutral in the therapy room with clients. In a world of deep polarization it can be hard as a clinician to be neutral for our clients. We will be exploring ways to identify bias on ourselves and the client. Furthermore, developing ways to stay neutral so that the clients process is not affected by basis accidently created by the clinician. Please join us and earn some CEUs in the process.

Therapist Neutrality in a Polarised World: Clinical Wisdom for Difficult Conversations - nscience “A therapist’s neutrality, coupled with empathy and authenticity, allows clients to experience themselves without fear of judgment or rejection.” — Carl Rogers   Times: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, London UK 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, New York, USA

OCD and the Paradox of Doubt How the search for certainty becomes a never-ending cycle.

Anxiety and Apathy Affect Decision-Making in Opposite Ways

A new study shows that anxiety and apathy influence decision-making in fundamentally different ways.

Anxious individuals perceive their environment as unpredictable and volatile, leading them to explore more options, especially after negative outcomes.

In contrast, apathetic individuals see outcomes as random and unchangeable, reducing their willingness to explore alternatives.

Using behavioral experiments and computational modeling, researchers analyzed how over 1,000 participants made decisions in uncertain environments.

The findings suggest that emotional states shape perceptions of uncertainty, which in turn affect how people approach new experiences and challenges.

These insights could lead to more personalized therapeutic approaches for mental health conditions.

https://neurosciencenews.com/anxiety-appathy-decisions-28460/

Study Links Spite to Conspiracy Theory Beliefs

A new study reveals that spite—a psychological response to feelings of uncertainty, threat, or social disadvantage—plays a key role in conspiracy theory belief.

Researchers analyzed data from 1,000 participants and found that spiteful tendencies reinforced the need for security, understanding, and social significance, making individuals more receptive to conspiratorial thinking.

Spite emerges as a way to “level the playing field” by rejecting expert opinions and established facts when people feel powerless.

Depression Speeds Up Physical Illness

A new study shows that adults with a history of depression develop physical illnesses about 30% faster than those without.

Researchers analyzed data from over 172,000 participants and found that individuals with depression accumulated an average of 0.2 additional conditions per year, compared to 0.16 for those without depression.

The most common new conditions included osteoarthritis, hypertension, and acid reflux.

The findings suggest depression impacts overall physical health, not just mental well-being.

Current healthcare systems often treat conditions separately rather than addressing the whole person.

Integrated care models that consider both mental and physical health could lead to better long-term health outcomes.

https://neurosciencenews.com/depression-physical-health-psychology-28426/

Stress Alters How the Brain Processes Sound

Chronic stress alters how the brain processes sound, making lower-volume sounds less perceptible over time.

Researchers examined how stress affects auditory processing and found that stressed mice required louder sounds to trigger normal brain responses.

The study revealed that chronic stress increases the activity of a specific type of inhibitory brain cell, suppressing the neural response to softer sounds.