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L'Encephale Apr 2020In the world of sport, athletes and their trainers see competitive emotions and, in particular, performance anxiety as one of the most important factors likely to...
In the world of sport, athletes and their trainers see competitive emotions and, in particular, performance anxiety as one of the most important factors likely to influence the outcome of a sports competition. These emotions attract such vast interest because even today they continue to raise many questions. While positive emotions are generally considered to be largely facilitative to an athlete's performance, the link between negative emotions, and particularly competitive anxiety, and performance seems less unanimous. Some view anxiety as a phenomenon which hampers performance; for them, an anxious athlete is a fragile one. Others view anxiety as a driver and give as examples those athletes who only perform well under the pressure of competition and the anxious state it elicits. There is currently no single model for the relationship between anxiety (or emotions) and performance on which everybody agrees, in spite of the fact that the scientific community has been striving for some time to better understand the links between them. Research carried out to confirm these links has produced inconsistent results which are difficult to interpret as the variables measured (anxiety, emotional states, performance) and the framework of the studies (characteristics of the participants, importance of the sports event) most often differ.
Topics: Anxiety; Athletes; Athletic Performance; Competitive Behavior; Emotions; Female; Humans; Male; Sports
PubMed: 31542211
DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2019.07.008 -
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America Sep 2021Athletes may first seek counsel from mental health professionals with concerns of performance anxiety. The mental health professional must carefully explore the context... (Review)
Review
Athletes may first seek counsel from mental health professionals with concerns of performance anxiety. The mental health professional must carefully explore the context and origins of the athlete's anxiety in order to identify and address the root cause. A detailed history and physical examination will help avoid missing comorbid conditions presenting with anxiety symptoms. This chapter highlights the importance of recognizing the circumstances in which anxiety symptoms may arise in athletes; identifying stressors that are exclusive to the athlete experience; determining how those symptoms can affect their performance and general livelihood; and developing a treatment strategy that maximizes the athlete's performance.
Topics: Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Athletes; Humans
PubMed: 34372994
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2021.04.005 -
The Psychiatric Quarterly Sep 2020Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) from an official recognition as a residual category in DSM-III has come a long way to be appreciated as a common underlying anxiety...
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) from an official recognition as a residual category in DSM-III has come a long way to be appreciated as a common underlying anxiety pathway in the literature. Despite still being defined as extreme anxiety and worry upon performance and about one's health, GAD seems to be a general umbrella of anxiety, covering even social anxiety and panic disorder (PD) and even when not treated and chronic, leading to major depressive disorder (MDD). Along the line of some other similar studies and contentions, in the present study we sought to validate the hypothesis of GAD encompassing social anxiety as well as performance anxiety and its extension to PD and MDD. We also examined the onset of each diagnostic category of GAD, PD and MDD and their developmental course in our clinical sample. 113 patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) out of 295 referrals to our mood and anxiety clinic during the three months of May-July 2019, were identified and included in this research. We expanded the definition of GAD as per our clinical observation to include any situations triggering the anxiety including any performance and social situations and did not exclude if the anxiety led to panic attacks. The results of our study showed that an encompassing GAD (including performance and social anxiety) has an early onset, recognized partially in childhood, but mostly during adolescence. An untreated GAD was complicated with panic disorder and episodes of major depression, each with an onset later in life. GAD in our study was also found to be familial and genetic, while its post-morbid depression seemed to be more a reaction to a long-standing untreated anxiety. The findings of our study if replicated has research implication of better understanding the developmental course of mood disorders and hold the promise of more targeted treatments of anxiety, panic and depression in clinical practice.
Topics: Adult; Age of Onset; Anxiety Disorders; Comorbidity; Depressive Disorder, Major; Humans; Panic Disorder; Phobia, Social
PubMed: 32383134
DOI: 10.1007/s11126-020-09747-0 -
BMC Research Notes Oct 2019Adequate sleep is integral to better mental health and facilitates students' learning. We aimed to assess sleep quality among medical students and to see whether it was...
OBJECTIVE
Adequate sleep is integral to better mental health and facilitates students' learning. We aimed to assess sleep quality among medical students and to see whether it was associated with their mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress) and academic performance.
RESULTS
A total of 206 responded, and 95 of them had complete data on demography, lifestyle, academic performance, sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales). The prevalence of poor sleep was 63.2%; it was higher among students who were physically inactive and had more screen time. Poor sleepers demonstrated higher academic performance than sufficient sleepers (p = 0.04). The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 42%, 53%, and 31% respectively. Sleep quality was significantly associated with depression (p = 0. 03), anxiety (p = 0.007), and stress (p = 0.01).
Topics: Academic Performance; Adult; Anxiety; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Prevalence; Saudi Arabia; Sleep; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Stress, Psychological; Students, Medical
PubMed: 31639038
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4713-2 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Test anxiety is a common issue among college students, which can affect their physical and psychological health. However, effective interventions or therapeutic... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
Test anxiety is a common issue among college students, which can affect their physical and psychological health. However, effective interventions or therapeutic strategies are still lacking. This study aims to evaluate the potential effects of JYLP-326 on test anxious college students.
METHODS
Sixty anxious students were enrolled and randomly allocated to the placebo group and the probiotic group. Both groups were instructed to take placebo and JYLP-326 products twice per day for three weeks, respectively. Thirty unanxious students with no treatments were assigned to a regular control group. The anxiety, depression, and insomnia questionnaires were used to measure students' mental states at the baseline and the end of this study. 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were performed to analyze the changes in the gut microbiota and fecal metabolism.
RESULTS
The questionnaire results suggested that JYLP-326 administration could relieve the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in test anxious students. The gut microbiomes of the placebo group showed a significantly greater diversity index than the control group (p < 0.05). An increased abundance of and at the genus level was observed in the placebo group, and the relative abundance of and decreased. Whereas, JYLP-326 administration could partly restore the disturbed gut microbiota. Additionally, test anxiety was correlated with disordered fecal metabolomics such as a higher Ethyl sulfate and a lower Cyclohexylamine, which could be reversed after taking JYLP-326. Furthermore, the changed microbiota and fecal metabolites were significantly associated with anxiety-related symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that the intervention of JYLP-326 could be an effective strategy to alleviate anxiety, depression, and insomnia in test anxious college students. The potential mechanism underlying this effect could be related to the regulation of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites.
Topics: Humans; Anxiety; Depression; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Lactobacillus plantarum; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Test Anxiety; Probiotics; Mental Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Feces
PubMed: 37033942
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1158137 -
PloS One 2022Sport psychology as an academic pursuit is nearly two centuries old. An enduring goal since inception has been to understand how psychological techniques can improve... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Sport psychology as an academic pursuit is nearly two centuries old. An enduring goal since inception has been to understand how psychological techniques can improve athletic performance. Although much evidence exists in the form of meta-analytic reviews related to sport psychology and performance, a systematic review of these meta-analyses is absent from the literature. We aimed to synthesize the extant literature to gain insights into the overall impact of sport psychology on athletic performance. Guided by the PRISMA statement for systematic reviews, we reviewed relevant articles identified via the EBSCOhost interface. Thirty meta-analyses published between 1983 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria, covering 16 distinct sport psychology constructs. Overall, sport psychology interventions/variables hypothesized to enhance performance (e.g., cohesion, confidence, mindfulness) were shown to have a moderate beneficial effect (d = 0.51), whereas variables hypothesized to be detrimental to performance (e.g., cognitive anxiety, depression, ego climate) had a small negative effect (d = -0.21). The quality rating of meta-analyses did not significantly moderate the magnitude of observed effects, nor did the research design (i.e., intervention vs. correlation) of the primary studies included in the meta-analyses. Our review strengthens the evidence base for sport psychology techniques and may be of great practical value to practitioners. We provide recommendations for future research in the area.
Topics: Anxiety; Athletic Performance; Humans; Mindfulness; Psychology, Sports
PubMed: 35171944
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263408 -
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational... Feb 2023Depression and anxiety often reduce people's ability to cope with everyday occupations. There is a lack of knowledge about such problems in people of working age with...
BACKGROUND
Depression and anxiety often reduce people's ability to cope with everyday occupations. There is a lack of knowledge about such problems in people of working age with depression and anxiety.
AIM
To describe which problems people with depression or anxiety disorders experience when performing everyday occupations and which occupations are affected.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data based on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was used in this cross-sectional study. A total of 118 participants aged 18-65 years, with depression or anxiety, were recruited from primary healthcare and general mental healthcare services. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics and directed content analysis.
RESULTS
The participants rated a low level of occupational performance, and their satisfaction with performance even lower. They described a great number of problems with their everyday occupations. The most frequent problem areas concerned household management, socialization and personal care. Detailed descriptions of which type of problem they experienced during everyday occupations are included.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides knowledge of which problems people with depression and anxiety disorders experience in everyday occupations within self-care, productivity, as well as leisure. Furthermore, they rate performance and satisfaction with performance of the five occupations they find the most important to change in everyday life.
Topics: Humans; Activities of Daily Living; Occupational Therapy; Depression; Cross-Sectional Studies; Canada; Anxiety Disorders; Anxiety
PubMed: 33569993
DOI: 10.1080/11038128.2021.1882562 -
Sexual Medicine Reviews Apr 2020Sexual performance anxiety (SPA) is one of the most prevalent sexual complaints; yet, no diagnosis is recognized for either gender. Thus, research into treatment has... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Sexual performance anxiety (SPA) is one of the most prevalent sexual complaints; yet, no diagnosis is recognized for either gender. Thus, research into treatment has been minimal.
AIM
Review the prevalence of SPA and its relation to sexual dysfunctions and anxiety disorders. Compare SPA to (non-sexual) performance anxiety and social anxiety (PA/SA). Apply pharmacologic principles to the known properties of drugs and phytotherapies to hypothesize treatments for SPA.
METHODS
Review SPA and PA/SA through PubMed searches for relevant literature from 2000 to 2018.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Prevalence was estimated using population-representative surveys. For treatment results, controlled clinical trial results were prioritized over open-label trial results.
RESULTS
SPA affects 9-25% of men and contributes to premature ejaculation and psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). SPA affects 6-16% of women and severely inhibits sexual desire. Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness meditation training have been proven effective for PA/SA and are recommended for SPA, but controlled studies are lacking. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are effective for psychogenic ED and premature ejaculation, both of which include SPA as a major element. Drugs proven for PA/SA have adverse sexual and sedative effects, but serotonergic anxiolytics with prosexual effects (buspirone ± testosterone, trazodone ± bupropion) may have potential, and sage, passionflower, l-theanine, and bitter orange are anxiolytic. Nitric oxide boosters (l-citrulline, l-arginine, Panax ginseng) have the potential for increasing genital tumescence and lubrication, and plant-based alpha-adrenergic antagonists may aid sexual arousal (yohimbine/yohimbe, Citrus aurantium/p-synephrine).
CONCLUSION
SPA causes or maintains most common sexual dysfunction. No treatments are well proven, although cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness meditation training, and serotonergic anxiolytics (buspirone, trazodone, gepirone) have potential, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are effective for psychogenic ED and premature ejaculation. Several phytotherapies also appear to have potential. Pyke RE. Sexual Performance Anxiety. J Sex Med 2020;8:183-190.
Topics: Anti-Anxiety Agents; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Performance Anxiety; Prevalence; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological
PubMed: 31447414
DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.07.001 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2021Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The technique is known to facilitate reprocessing of...
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The technique is known to facilitate reprocessing of maladaptive memories that are thought to be central to this pathology. Here we investigate if EMDR therapy can be used in other conditions. We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. We searched for published empirical findings on EMDR, excluding those centred on trauma and PTSD, published up to 2020. The results were classified by psychiatric categories. Ninety articles met our research criteria. A positive effect was reported in numerous pathological situations, namely in addictions, somatoform disorders, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, disorders of adult personality, mood disorders, reaction to severe stress, anxiety disorders, performance anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), pain, neurodegenerative disorders, mental disorders of childhood and adolescence, and sleep. Some studies reported that EMDR was successful in usually uncooperative (e.g., Dementia) or unproductive cases (e.g., aphasia). Moreover, in some severe medical conditions, when psychological distress was an obstacle, EMDR allowed the continuation of treatment-as-usual. Furthermore, the effects observed in non-pathological situations invite for translational research. Despite a generally positive outlook of EMDR as an alternative treatment option, more methodologically rigorous studies are needed. We discuss the advantages and limitations and possible implications for the hypothesised mechanisms of action.
PubMed: 34616328
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.644369