The AP (11/12, Wells) reports that surveys from the American Psychiatric Association “have repeatedly shown that a significant number of Americans experience climate anxiety.” A study published earlier this year in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that “while Generalized Anxiety Disorder often involves the part of the brain that handles fear, threat and emotion, climate anxiety activates parts of the brain that help with high cognition, willpower and tenacity.” Because the threat is indefinite, “it’s largely out of each person’s control and addressing it requires repeated and variable action.” Because climate anxiety is “such a big part of climate action,” the COP30 conference “has increased the number of mental health programs offered during the event, including several that focus on boosting mental health, building psychological resilience in the face of climate change and integrating mental health discussions in education.”

Related Links:

— “Climate change is in the news during COP30. We’ve got tips to tackle your climate anxiety,”Caleigh Wells, AP, November 12, 2025

Neurology Advisor (11/12, Khaja) reports a study found that “exposure to common infectious agents is associated with domain-specific cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults.” The researchers examined “whether serologic evidence of infection with 5 common pathogens (herpes simplex virus [HSV]-1, HSV-2, cytomegalovirus [CMV], Helicobacter pylori, and Chlamydia pneumoniae) was associated with cognitive performance and risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.” They found that “after adjusting for demographic, vascular, and psychosocial confounders, CMV and HSV-2 seropositivity were significantly associated with poorer executive function, while C pneumoniae seropositivity was linked to reduced language performance. In unadjusted models, CMV seropositivity was associated with increased risk for incident MCI and dementia. However, these associations were no longer significant after adjustment.” The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Related Links:

— “Common Infections Linked to Cognitive Decline in Older Adults,”Hibah Khaja, Neurology Advisor, November 12, 2025

The Los Angeles Times (11/10, Flores) says that a nationwide survey conducted by Equip, a virtual eating disorder treatment program, found that “more than 70% of Latino respondents reported experiencing at least one disordered eating behavior in the past, with the most common behaviors being restrictive (52%) and binge eating (37%). However, only 12% reported having been formally diagnosed with an eating disorder.” Although a majority of survey respondents “identified food as being both positive and central to their life, 55% reported that they had experienced teasing or discrimination related to weight. Family was identified as having the top influence on body image, more than peers or social media.”

Related Links:

— “Binge eating disorder is prevalent among Latinos but underdiagnosed, Los Angeles Times , November 10, 2025

The American Journal of Managed Care (11/11, Steinzor) reports a study found that “although relationship quality between children and carers improved over 2.5 years, it did not directly predict later emotional or behavioral outcomes.” Researchers observed that over a 2.5-year period, mean (SD) Parent-Infant Relationship Global Assessment Scale (PIR-GAS) “scores increased from 66.12 (17.09) at baseline to 79.67 (16.52) at follow-up, indicating a shift toward more positive and secure relationships.” The findings “highlight the need for targeted interventions to support care-experienced children’s long-term mental health, as early caregiver-child relationships play a crucial role in shaping emotional and behavioral development.” The study was published in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Stronger Carer-Child Bonds Don’t Predict Later Mental Health,”Pearl Steinzor, The American Journal of Managed Care , November 11, 2025

Psychiatric News (11/10) reports, “As drones’ use in surveillance and combat rises, so does a new type of posttraumatic illness: ‘dronophobia.’” Joseph L. Bonvie, of Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues wrote in the Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, “Individuals who have experienced a drone strike, particularly those injured by one, are at heightened risk for developing persistent psychological symptoms, a vulnerability intensified by the ongoing threat of repeated attacks.” The authors said, “Addressing the psychological and societal consequences of drone warfare necessitates a comprehensive, integrated, multidisciplinary strategy. … Managing drone-related trauma requires ongoing mental health support that should include family involvement, sustained surveillance, and community-based programs.”

Related Links:

— “Drone-Induced Anxiety: An Emerging Form of Combat Trauma, Psychiatric News, November 10, 2025