Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

05:52
Hyponeophagia: A Measure of Anxiety in the Mouse
Published on: May 17, 2011
Joint hypermobility, fears, and chocolate consumption
Guillem Pailhez1, Silvia Rosado, Andrea Bulbena Cabré
1Anxiety Unit, INAD-Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain. 97590@hospitaldelmar.cat
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|November 4, 2011
Summary
Individuals with joint hypermobility, a connective tissue disorder, experience more intense fears. Those with hypermobility also consumed chocolate more frequently, possibly as self-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Genetics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Joint hypermobility is an inherited connective tissue disorder.
- It is significantly associated with anxiety disorders.
- Understanding its impact on nonclinical populations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate joint hypermobility in nonclinical students.
- To assess the relationship between hypermobility, severe fears, and substance consumption (chocolate, coffee, cigarettes, alcohol).
Main Methods:
- 150 students completed questionnaires.
- Hakim and Grahame Simple Questionnaire for hypermobility detection.
- Modified Wolpe Fear Scale (100 items) for severe fears.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher intensity of severe fears in students with hypermobility (p = 0.001).
- Increased frequency of chocolate intake among hypermobile students (p = 0.038).
- No significant differences in cigarette, alcohol, or coffee consumption related to hypermobility.
Conclusions:
- Hypermobility is linked to greater fear intensity in students.
- Increased chocolate consumption in hypermobile individuals may be a self-treatment attempt for connective tissue issues.
Related Concept Videos
Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Taste Buds and Receptors
Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
Preparedness and Phobias
Human fear responses to certain stimuli, such as darkness, heights, deep water, and blood, can often arise despite the absence of direct negative experiences. This phenomenon is rooted in evolutionary psychology, which posits that humans have developed a predisposition to fear stimuli that historically posed significant survival threats. This predisposition, known as preparedness, suggests that early humans who developed a fear of potentially dangerous entities, such as venomous snakes and...
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...

