Mental Health

Recent research is making waves in the mental health and urban planning communities: people who live near nature and greenspaces experience a staggering 60% reduction in mental health problems compared to those in less green environments. This new finding, reported by Earth.com, underscores the profound influence of natural surroundings on our collective psychological well-being, drawing renewed attention to the role urban design plays in public health (Earth.com).

For urban residents across the world—including those squeezed into the high-rise concrete jungle of Bangkok—these findings offer both hope and a call to action. Bangkok, where access to lush public parks can be limited, faces growing mental health challenges as societal pressures and digital lifestyles keep more Thais indoors and on screens. Understanding the protective effects of greener environments could chart a new course for the nation’s approach to city planning, public health, and the evolution of Thai urban life.

An intensifying mental health crisis is unfolding as more individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) turn to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for judgment and validation of their physical appearance—a trend that experts warn is exacerbating anxiety, distress, and even dangerous self-harm tendencies. This development, revealed by new reporting in Rolling Stone, signals a troubling intersection between rapidly advancing artificial intelligence and widespread vulnerability around body image, particularly among those already struggling with obsessive appearance-related concerns. The phenomenon is relevant to Thailand’s ongoing digital transformation, growing mental health challenges among youth, and a cultural landscape in which social media already plays a powerful role in shaping self-perception.

A rising concern is taking shape as some individuals with body dysmorphic disorder turn to AI chatbots for judgments about their appearance. Mental health experts warn that such interactions can heighten anxiety and distress, and in severe cases may prompt self-harm urges. The issue shows how rapid AI advances intersect with vulnerabilities around body image. For Thailand, this matters as digital transformation accelerates, youth mental health challenges grow, and social media continues to shape self-perception.

A new review of over-the-counter mood supplements helps clarify what might help for mild to moderate depression—and where evidence remains limited. The analysis examined 209 studies and was led by researchers from Southern Cross University, offering a clearer view for Thai consumers navigating a busy market of vitamins, herbs, and dietary products.

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, including Thailand. Many people turn to mood boosters such as omega-3 capsules or herbal teas due to stigma around treatment, cost barriers, or hesitation about prescription medicines. In Thailand, rising health awareness and a thriving herbal-supplement scene linked to traditional medicine mirror global trends highlighted by the review.

A new review of over-the-counter supplements popular among people with depression has found that while some may offer benefits—particularly for those with mild to moderate symptoms—the evidence supporting most supermarket remedies remains limited and nuanced. The findings, drawing from an assessment of 209 studies and reviewed by prominent researchers at Southern Cross University, further clarify the role of widely available vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements in mental health care as Thai consumers face a similarly surging marketplace for such treatments.

While Thailand welcomes summer as a season filled with holidays, vibrant festivals, and beach escapes, for some, the long, sun-soaked days can bring unexpected emotional struggles. Recent coverage by The Weather Network has spotlighted a phenomenon called “Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder” (Reverse SAD), which sees symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia spike not during the chilly months but in the heart of summer’s blazing heat (The Weather Network). This emerging mental health condition challenges the common belief that mood dips are only tied to dreary, winter days. For countries like Thailand, where the sun blazes far more often than it hides, understanding Reverse SAD is particularly relevant as climate shifts make our summers hotter and longer.

Summer in Thailand is a time for festivals, festivals, and coastal escapes. Yet the heat can also trigger emotional struggles for some. Health discussions now address Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (Reverse SAD), a condition where depression, anxiety, and insomnia intensify during summer rather than winter. This challenges the idea that mood dips are tied only to cold, gloomy days. In a sun-soaked nation, understanding Reverse SAD is increasingly relevant as summers grow hotter and longer.

The rise of AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, is reshaping how people seek support for their mental health — but new research warns that these digital assistants may be unintentionally making symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety worse. According to a detailed special report published by Teen Vogue on 16 July 2025, some individuals with OCD have developed a pattern of compulsive reassurance-seeking that is uniquely intensified by the always-available, ever-accommodating nature of AI chatbots Teen Vogue.

A growing body of scientific research is turning conventional wisdom about chronic lateness on its head: for many, persistent tardiness is not merely a matter of laziness or poor manners but a symptom of an underlying mental health condition known as “time blindness.” The latest analyses from psychiatrists and neuroscientists suggest that time blindness—while not formally categorized in leading diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5—is a pervasive issue, disrupting lives, careers, and relationships worldwide, including here in Thailand.

A recent evaluation of AI chatbots reveals they can shape how people seek mental health support, sometimes worsening OCD symptoms and anxiety. The insights highlight that constant availability and tailored responses may intensify compulsive reassurance-seeking, a common OCD pattern.

For Thai readers, the issue strikes close to home as AI-based mental health resources grow among youths facing stigma and limited access to in-person care. Digital assistants can fill gaps, yet experts warn they may prolong questions and validation loops for hours.

Time blindness is gaining recognition as a genuine cognitive difference that affects everyday life. In Thailand, where punctuality is intertwined with respect and reliability, this condition can undermine work, study, and family routines. Time blindness involves difficulty estimating and tracking time, and it often coexists with ADHD, autism, and mood conditions. While not listed in DSM-5, experts say the challenge is real and measurable, influencing employability and daily functioning.

Thai culture places a premium on being on time. For people with time blindness, arriving punctually can feel like an ongoing struggle. Neuroscience points to differences in executive functions, especially the prefrontal cortex, which guides planning and time management. Mental health professionals emphasize that time blindness is not intentional noncompliance but a cognitive difference that affects performance at work and school.

Rising rates of workplace burnout have become a defining health issue of our time, raising urgent questions for employees in Thailand and around the world: is it possible to recover from burnout while still working, or must one step away to truly heal? According to the latest guidance from mental health experts and career coaches, recovering from burnout during ongoing employment is difficult, but not impossible—provided workers embrace careful self-assessment, boundary setting, and proactive communication with supervisors.

A man who claims to have “slept with 1,000 women” has made headlines by publicly expressing regret over his past lifestyle, citing significant negative impacts on his mental health. The candid admission, which has sparked widespread debate on social media and within health circles, highlights the often-overlooked psychological consequences linked to compulsive sexual behavior, particularly among men navigating cultural and social expectations.

The individual, whose personal story was reported in LADbible and has since gone viral, described his former approach to relationships as being driven by the pursuit of numbers rather than genuine connection. While this so-called “playboy lifestyle” is often celebrated or idealized in popular media, especially for men, his experience has exposed the hollow aftermath, including feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and persistent anxiety.

Burnout is now a defining workplace health concern. For Thai workers, the big question remains: can recovery happen while staying employed? Leading mental health experts and career coaches say yes, with careful self-assessment, clear boundaries, and proactive conversations with supervisors.

A synthesis of Mental Health UK findings and practitioner input highlights three core strategies: improve task management, set firm boundaries and practice self-care, and seek support early. In a UK study, nine in ten employees report high work pressure, with burnout described as physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion from prolonged stress and unmanageable workloads. Although openness about mental health is rising, many Thai workers still struggle to turn awareness into action amid economic pressures and competitive job markets.

Stress sits at the core of today’s health challenges, linked to heart disease, cancer, and other major illnesses. A wave of scientific advances is delivering actionable insights. A Nature report from July 8, 2025 highlights how stress influences global health and outlines breakthroughs that could change how clinicians and individuals measure and manage this invisible threat.

In Thailand, stress affects daily life—from work pressures and financial concerns to social change and collective experiences like the COVID-19 era. Health workers often address visible symptoms more than root causes, leaving the true toll of stress under addressed in clinics and hospitals. Local perspectives show that stress is not only a medical issue but a social and cultural challenge that shapes well-being.

A former self-described “playboy” who claims to have slept with about 1,000 partners has publicly expressed remorse, stating that the lifestyle harmed his mental well-being. The confession, initially reported by LADbible, shifts from sensationalism to a broader discussion about the psychological costs of compulsive sexual behavior, particularly for men facing cultural expectations in Thailand.

The narrative moves beyond sensational numbers to examine how the chase for sexual conquest can mask deeper issues. The man says his past approach prioritized tallying encounters over genuine connection. While the “playboy” image can be glamorized, his experience reveals feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and anxiety that linger in daily life.

Stress, long recognized as a contributor to heart disease, cancer, and other top causes of death, is finally being investigated with the seriousness it deserves, thanks to a surge of scientific innovation. Recent research published by Nature on July 8, 2025, reveals both the growing impact of stress on global health and new breakthroughs that could reshape how medical professionals—and individuals—understand, measure, and manage this invisible threat Nature Article.

In Thailand, as in much of the world, stress is an unspoken but powerful force shaping daily life. From pressures at work and financial insecurity to societal changes and, notably, collective trauma such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thai population, young and old, feels the weight. Health authorities and medical professionals often focus on physical symptoms rather than underlying stress, meaning its true toll is rarely addressed directly in clinics or hospitals.

Bangkok – “I hate Mondays” has long been a running joke in offices, schools, and coffee shops across Thailand and around the world. But new evidence suggests this sentiment is far more than a punchline: Mondays may actually harm our health in ways that persist long after the workweek begins, escalating the risk for major medical problems and chronic stress. That’s the startling message from groundbreaking research led by the University of Hong Kong and published this week in the Journal of Affective Disorders, which found that people who feel anxious on Mondays experience the highest spikes in stress hormones – with effects that can linger for months.

In offices and classrooms across Thailand, the familiar “I hate Mondays” refrain often feels lighthearted. New research, however, points to real health implications tied to Monday anxiety. Scientists report that heightened Monday stress can trigger a biological response that lingers, potentially increasing risks for chronic stress and heart-related issues.

The study tracked adults over 50 in the United Kingdom using hair cortisol to measure cumulative stress. Researchers found Monday-specific anxiety linked to lasting cortisol spikes, whereas anxiety on other days did not produce the same effect. This indicates the workweek’s start can provoke an anticipatory stress response with tangible health consequences.

A growing body of evidence underscores the immense emotional, physical, and spiritual strain shouldered by caregivers—often family members—tasked with looking after loved ones with chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease. Recent personal stories and new data shared in a July 2025 report by faith columnist Terry Pluto bring renewed attention to both the widespread challenges and silent heroics within caregiving communities, with lessons and warnings that resonate deeply in Thailand.

A wave of recent research and critical commentary is throwing a spotlight on how TV dramas across South Asia, including in Pakistan and by extension those consumed in Thailand, continue to spread harmful myths about mental illness. Instead of fostering understanding and compassion, many popular shows still portray psychological disorders as punishment for bad behaviour—a damaging misconception that deepens stigma, discourages treatment, and reinforces outdated social hierarchies.

The significance of this discussion stretches far beyond the world of entertainment. For millions of Thai and Southeast Asian viewers who consume South Asian dramas through streaming platforms and satellite TV, these narratives not only provide entertainment but also help shape cultural attitudes toward mental health—often in ways that can be detrimental for individuals and families confronting mental health challenges in real life.

Caregivers, often family members, bear heavy emotional, physical, and spiritual burdens when assisting loved ones with chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, stroke, or Parkinson’s. A recent 2025 analysis highlights how these pressures resonate in Thailand amid rapid aging and changing family dynamics.

Caregiving often begins with uncertainty. A husband caring for his wife with early-onset Alzheimer’s embodies the ongoing questions: how long will this last, and how will it end? In Thailand, many families start with unclear timelines and outcomes, facing long-term demands beyond dementia. Nationwide data indicates a growing elderly population, and shifts in family structures mean more elders live apart from younger relatives or in rural areas. This makes unpaid caregiving more common and complex, with stress intensifying as formal supports remain limited.

A growing body of research questions how mental illness is depicted in South Asian television, noting that many popular dramas still cast psychiatric distress as punishment for moral missteps. Such portrayals can amplify stigma, deter help-seeking, and reinforce social hierarchies rather than foster understanding. For Thai viewers who stream these dramas, the messaging travels beyond entertainment and shapes real-world attitudes toward mental health.

A comprehensive critique by a senior journalism researcher examines how major series frame mental illness as a consequence of moral or spiritual failings. Programs like Ishq Zahe Naseeb, Chup Raho, and Humsafar have depicted crises as divine punishment or the result of “bad” behavior, especially for female characters who challenge traditional norms. This narrative pattern risks normalizing stereotypes instead of cultivating empathy and informed responses.

Chronic exhaustion, unmanageable stress, and a persistent sense of being overwhelmed: these feelings have become synonymous with workplace life for many Thais in 2025. With surveys showing that up to 90% of employees report high pressure at work globally, and organisations such as Mental Health UK highlighting burnout as a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion triggered by prolonged stress, a pressing question confronts Thai society: is it actually possible to recover from burnout while staying on the job? (Refinery29)