Columbia Psychiatry

02/20/2026

Recent research findings suggest that social anxiety can have biological roots. Dr. Franklin Schneier highlights how those with the disorder are often extremely aware of their internal physiological states.

Social anxiety isn’t only psychological. New research is revealing its biological roots – and how to reset them

01/16/2026

NPR spoke with Dr Ryan Sultan about his new study showing that even occasional cannabis use in teens is linked to lower GPAs and higher rates of anxiety and depression.

A new study of more than 160,000 teens finds that even occasional cannabis use among 8th, 10th and 12th graders is tied to worse outcomes at school and more emotional distress.

10/02/2025

New non-medication, non-invasive intervention to be done at home.

https://recruit.cumc.columbia.edu/studyinfopage/2929?fbclid=IwY2xjawNLg6ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0V1kyVDk2dHZzaUlpblNYAR7fu5ZBkOAUhSl_paOTQ4wY72gsHLRS3uHtKCwVaTdP1uKFtsP3Djps_WwGQw_aem_OZ-nIXGyOGaznw7w--2tsg

09/08/2025

What lasting impact did the pandemic have on kids born in 2020?

Dr. Dani Dumitriu says early delays in “COVID babies” largely disappeared as children caught up—thanks to the brain’s resilience.

More than 3.6 million children born in 2020 amid the COVID-19 global pandemic are walking into elementary schools across the country this fall.

08/29/2025

Back-to-school means new routines—and sometimes procrastination. 📚

Dr. Puliafico spoke with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's Health Matters podcast about why kids (and adults) procrastinate and how to build healthier habits.

🎧 Listen: https://healthmatters.nyp.org/how-can-i-stop-procrastinating-with-dr-tony-puliafico/

08/13/2025

When worry snowballs into racing thoughts & physical symptoms, you may be in an anxiety spiral.

Dr. Courtney DeAngelis shares ways to break the loop, like visualizing worries drifting away & shifting focus.

Read this if your brain always jumps to the worst-case scenario.

08/11/2025

New Columbia study finds cannabis products from unlicensed NYC shops often lack required safety labels & use kid-friendly packaging. Dr. Ryan Sultán warns these gaps put consumers—especially youth—at risk.

Researchers at Columbia University find that many cannabis products sold in unlicensed shops in New York state lack required health and safety labels and feature cartoon graphics attractive to youth.

08/08/2025

Extended chatbot use may worsen existing mental health issues in some users by validating their assumptions. Dr. Ragy Girgis told TIME that people susceptible to fringe beliefs may be especially at risk.

AI companies need to do more to protect users' mental health, experts say.

07/30/2025

A Columbia-led trial found the anti-herpes drug valacyclovir was not effective in treating early Alzheimer’s, despite other research suggesting a link.

“There was no efficacy signal,” said lead investigator Dr. D.P. Devanand.

Some research suggests that herpes infections contribute to Alzheimer’s, but in a clinical trial, antiviral treatment did not slow disease progression in people with early symptoms.

07/25/2025

Chronic Lyme disease is attracting research interest. Columbia’s Dr. Brian Fallon, director of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Research Center, told The Wall Street Journal that researchers are exploring “many different possible mechanisms” behind persistent symptoms.

Newer trials are starting to track Lyme patients and investigate potential treatments

07/23/2025

After a 20-year history of severe psychiatric issues and repeated hospitalizations, Mary’s symptoms seemed to vanish following chemotherapy. Her remarkable recovery adds to growing evidence that some cases diagnosed as schizophrenia may, in fact, be caused by autoimmune disorders. These discoveries helped inspire the creation of Columbia’s SNF Center for Precision Psychiatry, founded in 2023 to uncover biologically distinct—and potentially treatable—subtypes of mental illness.

Some psychiatric patients may actually have treatable autoimmune conditions. But what happens to the newly sane?

01/19/2024

Yesterday we gathered for our annual staff winter mixer featuring hot food, sweet treats, and prizes! We couldn't do our important work without our caring, supportive colleagues, from maintenance staff and security to faculty and trainees.