How Sleep Affects Emotional Reactivity in Anxious Youth

What is it about?

This study examines how sleep impacts emotional responses in youth with anxiety. It focuses on the amygdala, a brain region tied to emotional reactions, and finds that sleep usually helps reduce the amygdala's response to negative experiences. However, in youth with higher levels of anxiety, this calming effect of sleep is diminished. The findings are based on brain imaging data collected before and after periods of sleep or wakefulness, providing insights into how anxiety alters sleep's ability to regulate emotions.

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Photo by Greg Pappas on Unsplash

Photo by Greg Pappas on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Youth with anxiety often report sleep problems, which can worsen emotional regulation. This research highlights the critical role sleep plays in managing emotional responses and how this process is disrupted in anxious youth. By identifying specific brain mechanisms, the study opens new pathways for targeted interventions that improve sleep to support emotional well-being in vulnerable populations, especially during adolescence.