News

Storm anxiety can affect people physically, emotionally and cognitively, manifesting as rapid heart rate, sweating, dizziness and chest discomfort. 

Adolescents are analyzed through a period of transition into adulthood to help paint a better picture of how digital media use contributes to memory decline and suicide attempts, and shares how parents can mitigate these effects.  

Justin Thomas, Ph.D., says red light is less likely than other types of light to reduce melatonin levels, but it does not encourage melatonin production.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology will present its 2026 Annual Research Symposium on April 21 at 9 a.m. featuring guest speaker Jill Glausier, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh.

UAB recently recognized 40 individuals for their years of service in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, ranging from five years to 35 years. The UAB and UAB Medicine Service Awards honor employees who have made a significant career commitment to UAB, with recognition happening at every five-year milestone.

Spring in Alabama brings warmer temperatures, blooming landscapes, and severe weather. For many people, particularly during peak tornado season in March and April, storm warnings and changing skies can trigger intense anxiety. While concern during severe weather is normal, storm-related anxiety can become overwhelming for some individuals, especially those with prior traumatic experiences.

March is National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the vital role social workers play in advancing patient care, supporting families, and strengthening communities.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is thrilled to announce the results of our 2026 residency match!

Feeling tired may not mean it is time for sleep, and misunderstanding the difference could be fueling insomnia and fatigue.

Mindfulness, putting boundaries around media consumption and taking small actions can help cope with stress caused by global events, according to a UAB expert.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Ellen Eaton, M.D., MSHP, as a professor in January 2026.

The study will enroll 240 adults with HIV and insomnia, randomly assigning them to one of two treatments to evaluate how each approach affects sleep and cognitive health.

Functional neurological disorder, an often-misunderstood condition, affects brain-body communication, causing involuntary seizures, movement difficulties and speech problems.

In this installment, Caroline G. Richter, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, explores her research in the Science of Child Development and Neurodiversity (STARS) Lab, focusing on practical ways to improve the well-being, learning, and daily functioning of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities.

As UAB researchers continue to study how these drugs work and what comes next, their findings are helping move the conversation beyond hype, while working toward a clearer understanding of one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the past decade.

Adrienne C. Lahti, M.D., professor and chair, Heman E. Drummond Endowed Chair in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, presented the 2026 State of the Department on Tuesday, Feb. 10, highlighting the department’s clinical, research, and educational mission areas. 

IncRNAs act like “switches,” turning off functionality for more than 3,000 genes that are essential for healthy brain functioning.

The clinical trial represents a major step forward in finding new solutions for people living with treatment-resistant depression. 

Social workers are the backbone of compassionate, community-centered care across the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology. Here, we highlight social workers in three distinct programs.

One couple with faculty roots in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine not only contributed to the school’s clinical, educational, and research-driven missions while serving their respective departments, but they are now giving back to support future clinicians, mentors, and scientists in doing the same.

New clinical services and specialty programs are expanding access to high-quality care in Birmingham and throughout Alabama.

Burnout does not have to ruin the holiday season. One UAB expert recommends five ways to stay refreshed this holiday season.

More Americans age 65 or older take benzodiazepines for anxiety and sleep problems than any other group, even though they are at the highest risk of adverse events, including falls and hip fractures, motor vehicle collisions, and delirium and cognitive impairment.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Shanti Alicia James, Ph.D., as an assistant professor in October 2025.

A UAB expert provides recommendations on how to drink responsibly during the holidays.

On Thursday, Nov. 20., the Heersink School of Medicine honored 20 faculty members at the Fall 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception. This event recognizes Heersink faculty who have made major contributions to research, education, and clinical care.

Justin Thomas, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, has been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the National Institute on Aging and the Office of AIDS Research to study the impact of insomnia treatment on cognitive health in older adults living with HIV.

One UAB expert shares insights about how ADHD can impact work life and offers practical strategies for both employees and organizations to foster success.

On Friday, November 14, 2025, students from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine gathered to celebrate faculty excellence during the annual Argus Awards Ceremony.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology opened its Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Clinic in August 2025, a significant step forward in expanding access to cutting-edge treatment for depression.