Mental Health

For many Thais, rejection—whether from friends, family, or colleagues—can feel like a sting, but for some, even the smallest slight feels devastating. This overwhelming emotional reaction, described as “rejection sensitive dysphoria” (RSD), is gaining attention thanks to social media, research, and a wave of first-person accounts. The latest article from The New York Times draws on real-life stories, clinical insight, and emerging science to examine a phenomenon seldom found in medical textbooks but increasingly recognized in the mental health community, including among younger generations in Thailand and worldwide (source: The New York Times).

A groundbreaking new study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience is reshaping our understanding of how anxiety affects bodily awareness—especially among women. According to the research, women who experience high levels of anxiety are significantly less able to accurately interpret signals from their own bodies, such as subtle changes in breathing. This gender-specific effect is not seen in men, underscoring the need for more nuanced approaches to mental health, and has important implications for how Thai society addresses anxiety among women (source: Vice).

A recently shared personal account by Jacob Skidmore, an Ohio-based TikTok creator diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is igniting global and local conversations about stigma, mental health, and the reality of living with NPD. The story, covered by Newsweek and rapidly circulating on social media, highlights how individuals with this diagnosis face not only challenges from the disorder itself but also substantial social vilification and misunderstanding. For Thai readers, the viral nature of this discussion offers an opportunity to reflect on how mental health terminology and stigma play out both globally and in our own society.

A leading health expert from Philadelphia is experimenting with music as a drug-free way to reduce stress, fueling new interest in how melodies might heal mind and body. Drawing on a wave of recent research, this approach invites Thai readers to consider music not just as entertainment, but as a scientifically validated “medicine” for anxiety, emotional resilience, and overall well-being — without the side effects of pills. As stress and anxiety issues continue to rise in Thailand, especially in post-pandemic society, innovative, accessible approaches like music therapy are gaining ground both globally and at home.

A Philadelphia health expert is exploring music as a drug-free way to ease stress, sparking global interest in whether melodies can heal the mind and body. For Thai readers, this trend shifts music from mere entertainment to a scientifically supported approach for anxiety, resilience, and overall wellness—especially appealing in a society grappling with post-pandemic stress. Music therapy offers a practical option that aligns with local values of community, mindfulness, and holistic health.

A surge in anxiety among children and teens has surprised many health professionals in recent years. In the UK, mental health referrals for youth anxiety more than doubled since 2019, rising from about 99,000 to over 204,000 cases annually. This trend underscores a broader reality: children’s anxiety often triggers or worsens distress in their parents, creating a ripple effect through families. Emerging studies suggest that addressing childhood anxiety requires also tending to parental well-being.

A recent personal account shared by Jacob Skidmore, an Ohio-based TikTok creator diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is fueling conversations about stigma, mental health, and living with NPD. The story, picked up by Newsweek and widely circulated online, highlights not only the challenges of the disorder but also the social backlash and misunderstanding that can accompany it. For Thai readers, the viral discussion offers an opportunity to examine how mental health language and stigma operate both globally and in Thai society.

A new European study reshapes how we view anxiety’s effect on bodily awareness, especially among women. The research finds that high anxiety makes it harder for women to accurately interpret subtle bodily signals, such as small changes in breathing. Men did not show the same pattern, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive mental health strategies. In Thailand, these findings offer a scientific explanation for a common feeling many women describe—being “out of tune” with their bodies when stressed—and underscore the importance of inclusive screening and support within Thai health care.

The past five years have seen an alarming surge in anxiety among children and young adults, with mental health referrals for anxiety in youth in the UK more than doubling since 2019—from about 99,000 to over 204,000 cases annually (The Times). Yet as society scrambles to address this crisis in children, a critical—and less visible—public health problem is emerging right alongside it: children’s anxiety often triggers or worsens anxiety and distress in their parents, creating a ripple effect through families. Recent studies suggest it may be impossible to fully address childhood anxiety unless parents’ mental well-being is considered too.

A recent international study reveals that women experiencing moment-to-moment anxiety may have notably less insight into their internal bodily signals, such as breathing, compared with men. Published in the European Journal of Neuroscience and summarized by PsyPost, the findings offer fresh clues about why anxiety manifests differently across genders and could influence mental health approaches in Thailand and beyond.

In Thailand, anxiety rates are rising amid economic pressures, intense academic competition, and rapid social change. The World Health Organization notes that women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop anxiety disorders. Data from Thai health research mirrors this pattern among young people and working adults. The new study adds depth by showing that, beyond prevalence, women may struggle more with interoceptive insight—the ability to link internal sensations with emotions or mental states.

A groundbreaking international study has found women experiencing moment-to-moment anxiety may have significantly less insight into their own bodily sensations—specifically those related to breathing—than men do. The research, recently published in the European Journal of Neuroscience and highlighted by PsyPost, offers new clues into why anxiety feels and functions differently in men and women, raising important questions for mental health treatment in Thailand and beyond (PsyPost, 2025).

The significance of this finding comes as anxiety rates continue to soar in Thai society, amplified by the ongoing pressures of economic uncertainty, academic competition, and the social changes that come with a rapidly modernizing culture. According to the World Health Organization, women are already nearly twice as likely as men to develop anxiety disorders—an observation mirrored among Thai adolescents and working-age adults (WHO). Yet, this new research reveals that not only does anxiety’s prevalence differ by gender, but women may also uniquely struggle with “interoceptive insight”—the ability to connect their internal sensations, like breathing difficulty or chest tightness, with emotional or mental states.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) has returned to the spotlight, with researchers and advocates describing how even minor criticism can trigger sudden, overwhelming distress. The New York Times highlighted RSD as a condition where perceived rejection can plunge individuals into deep sadness, rage, or worthlessness, making the world feel unstable.

For Thai readers, this renewed attention matters as mental health awareness grows amid lingering stigma. RSD is closely linked with ADHD and other neurodivergent experiences, but recent studies show its impact reaches beyond diagnosed groups, affecting daily life and self-esteem in many people. Data from leading health researchers indicate higher rejection sensitivity among those with mood disorders and anxiety, underscoring the need for broader recognition and support.

In recent months, the term “Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria” (RSD) has gained renewed attention in both scientific literature and popular media, as mental health experts and affected individuals speak out about this intense emotional condition that can turn minor criticisms into catastrophic emotional reactions. The New York Times recently profiled RSD, describing the condition as a state where even slight rejection, teasing, or criticism triggers a rapid plunge into feelings of profound sadness, rage, or worthlessness, making sufferers feel as if “the world is collapsing” around them source.

A new wave of research highlights a troubling connection between high social media use and the amplification of delusional thinking, raising fresh concerns about the impact of online platforms on mental health. The phenomenon, described as “Delusion Amplification by Social Media,” points to a worrying trend: while digital tools connect millions, they may also embolden certain mental health disorders, like narcissism, paranoia, and body dysmorphia, particularly among vulnerable users (The Conversation, PsyPost).

Stress is not just an individual burden—it can spread through groups like a social pathogen. New research highlighted by national outlets shows that exposure to others’ anxiety and pressure can trigger your own stress response. For Thai readers facing work, school, and the constant scroll of social media, understanding stress contagion and practical ways to shield yourself is timely and essential.

Why this matters in Thailand Thai culture centers on social bonds and community—sharing meals, helping families, and gathering at temples. In such a setting, emotional exchanges shape everyday life. When stress runs high at work or in family networks, the mood can ripple through households and workplaces, often without conscious awareness. Even tense messages on popular messaging apps and social feeds can amplify anxiety across groups.

A growing body of research links heavy social media use with amplified delusional thinking, raising new questions about how online platforms affect mental well-being in Thailand. Researchers describe a pattern called Delusion Amplification by Social Media, where digital environments can intensify certain mental health symptoms rather than alleviate them.

Social media is now a staple in Thai life, from Bangkok schools to provincial cafes. People use these platforms to connect, promote ideas, and run businesses. Yet concerns about their darker effects grow as online engagement rises. A comprehensive study published in 2025 analyzed hundreds of articles and found that high social media use is associated with stronger tendencies toward narcissism, paranoia, and body image concerns. These insights are relevant for Thai educators, clinicians, and policymakers seeking to protect vulnerable users.

As global uncertainties and digital connectivity entwine daily life, new research has found that stress doesn’t only affect individuals—it can spread from person to person like a virus. Recent studies covered in The Washington Post highlight the science behind “stress contagion,” where exposure to the anxieties and pressures of others can trigger your own stress response. For Thai readers navigating pressures at work, school, or even scrolling through social media, understanding stress contagion and strategies to avoid catching it is both timely and essential (Washington Post, 2025).

A revived version of the iconic “Ice Bucket Challenge” is sweeping across social media, this time with a heartfelt mission: raising awareness for mental health. Launched in April 2025 by Active Minds—a prominent US-based non-profit—the campaign encourages participants to douse themselves with ice water while sharing stories about mental health, aiming to spark conversation and end stigma worldwide. While reminiscent of the original ALS fundraising phenomenon of 2014, the new challenge’s “deeper meaning” lies in fostering an open dialogue about struggles that too often remain hidden, a cause especially resonant given today’s post-pandemic mental health crisis.

A revived Ice Bucket Challenge is taking social media by storm with a new purpose: mental health education and support. Launched in April 2025 by Active Minds, a US-based nonprofit, the campaign invites people to pour ice water over themselves while sharing personal stories about mental health. The idea is to spark open dialogue and reduce stigma, aligning with a broader post-pandemic focus on well-being.

Global mental health concerns are rising. The World Health Organization reports that up to one in eight people worldwide live with a mental health disorder. In Thailand, the Department of Mental Health notes growing anxiety and depressive symptoms among youth and working-age adults, a trend intensified by COVID-19 and rapid social change. Local outlets have documented the impact on daily life and workplace productivity.

A recent NPR investigation shines a stark light on how psychiatric patients in the United States, particularly in Montana, become trapped in a relentless cycle of homelessness, fragmented care, and social exclusion. The story, centered on a woman known as K and told through her daughter L’s harrowing experience, reveals how insufficient mental health services, lack of stable housing, and bureaucratic gaps intertwine to keep vulnerable individuals on the margins of society. As Thailand grapples with its own rising numbers of unhoused people living with mental illness, the lessons from Montana’s crisis offer urgent warnings and valuable insights for Thai policymakers, health workers, and society at large (NPR, 2025).

A recent investigative report highlights how psychiatric patients in the United States can spiral into homelessness and fragmented care. Centered on a Missoula, Montana case and told through a daughter’s voice, the piece shows how limited mental health services, unstable housing, and bureaucratic gaps push vulnerable people to the margins. As Thailand confronts rising numbers of unhoused individuals with mental illness, these findings offer urgent lessons for Thai policymakers, health workers, and communities.

A new wave of stressed-out spending, dubbed “doom spending,” is sweeping across generations, promising quick emotional relief but bringing longer-term pain for wallets and mental wellbeing alike. The phenomenon has sparked attention from psychologists and financial experts who warn that, despite its appeal, impulsive retail therapy in response to stress or pessimism about the future is not the stress-buster many hope it will be. With Thailand and other nations facing economic uncertainties — from global inflation to job insecurity — this trend offers a timely cautionary tale for Thai readers navigating their own financial decisions and stress management strategies.

A growing global conversation about mental health is increasingly focusing on the professionals who provide care. Viral discussions about “terrible therapists” highlight problematic practices and raise questions about how to ensure therapy is supportive, ethical, and effective.

In Thailand, interest in counseling is rising, yet stigma and shortages of trained professionals persist. The Ministry of Public Health reports more Thais seeking mental health support in urban areas and among youth. However, the quality of care varies widely. Social media conversations and stories from Thai users mirror global concerns, with some individuals describing disengagement, judgment, or breaches of confidentiality by therapists.

A new wave of stressed shoppers is reshaping behavior worldwide, with many turning to impulsive buying as a quick mood boost. For Thai readers navigating economic uncertainty, doom spending poses a real risk to mental well-being and personal finances. Experts warn that while shopping can offer temporary relief, it often deepens stress when the effects fade and bills arrive.

Doom spending is described as compulsive buying in response to anxiety, hopelessness, or fear about the future. A psychologist explains that under uncertainty, people seek quick control and comfort, and spending money can become a coping mechanism. The pattern is not simply occasional splurging; it is a response to negative emotions that can spiral into longer-term financial and emotional strain. Studies and expert insights show that the emotional high from purchases is short-lived, followed by guilt and heightened worry about money.