The invention relates to methods and products for treating emotional disorders such as stress induced emotional disorders, as well as related assays and kits. Methods include administering to a subject an effective amount of an agent for targeting the Rac1, Cdk5, p35, PAK-1 pathway to treat the emotional disorder. The agent for targeting the Rac1, Cdk5, p35, PAK-1 pathway may be, for instance, a Rac-1 inhibitor, a Cdk5 inhibitor, a PAK-1 activator, or p35 mobilizing agent.
