#EmotionalWellness

A new wave of relationship discourse has emerged from the United States, highlighting a term that may feel strikingly familiar to many Thais: “dry begging.” As recently spotlighted in a HuffPost feature, this behavior involves indirectly hinting or passively stating needs—instead of asking directly—and is now being recognized by therapists as a subtle but potent form of emotional manipulation (HuffPost). While “dry begging” is not an official psychiatric diagnosis, experts say it is a widespread pattern that can shape personal and family dynamics, including here in Thailand.

Even long after the final goodbye, memories of past relationships have a way of resurfacing—sometimes in sudden flashes, dreams, or everyday routines. According to a newly published feature by the TOI Lifestyle Desk, recent psychological research reveals seven interconnected reasons why ex-partners continue to occupy mental space, often against our conscious will. This report explores these findings, delves into their cultural implications for Thailand, and provides practical advice for navigating post-breakup emotions in a society where relationships and personal identity are deeply intertwined.

A growing body of research and media coverage is challenging the long-held silence around men’s emotional struggles in romantic relationships, revealing that the pain of heartbreak, ghosting, and emotional strain has a far deeper impact on men’s mental health than previously acknowledged. This timely conversation, highlighted in a recent feature from KHOU 11+ (“I’m not OK: Why love hurts more than we admit” KHOU), offers Thai readers urgent insights into the hidden battles men face in love—and why understanding these challenges is crucial to advancing mental wellness for everyone.

A recent psychological study has unveiled new insights into how the emotional environment created by parents plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall life satisfaction of young adults, with anxiety and anger emerging as crucial mediators in this relationship. The findings—published in the respected Journal of Psychology and summarized by PsyPost—underscore the complex interplay between parenting approaches, children’s emotional regulation, and their subsequent well-being well into adulthood.

For Thai readers, who often place significant cultural emphasis on family harmony, respect, and parental involvement, this research offers a valuable perspective on how the varying degrees of care—or overprotection—during childhood can have long-lasting psychological consequences. The study echoes long-standing Buddhist principles about emotional balance while highlighting the importance of practical parenting choices that foster independent emotional regulation.

A recent study has turned prevailing assumptions about parenting on their head, revealing that fathers are experiencing higher levels of loneliness, overwhelming pressures, and emotional stress compared to mothers—a trend that challenges longstanding social narratives and has critical implications for families in Thailand and globally. According to new research summarised in El Adelantado de Segovia, comprehensive nationwide surveys conducted in the United States highlight that American fathers are struggling with deeper feelings of isolation and heavier emotional strain than their female counterparts, shining a light on a frequently overlooked aspect of the modern parenting experience.

The pursuit of marital happiness, often depicted as an elusive ideal, may be more attainable than many believe, according to new research summarised in a 2025 Psychology Today article by Dr. Mark Travers. Drawing on a recent large-scale survey as well as key psychological studies, the report reveals that the happiest married couples are not necessarily those leading extravagant lives, but those who are intentional in how they nurture their relationships every day. This discovery holds valuable implications for Thai couples—where strong familial bonds and long-term partnership remain fundamental pillars of society.

Depression isn’t always cloaked in tears, lethargy, and withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices reveal that many silently suffer while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful—a phenomenon now widely called “high-functioning depression”. Recent insights from psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph, as highlighted in a widely-shared Mindbodygreen article, have sparked new conversations about how this overlooked mental health challenge is affecting high-achievers globally, including in Thailand, where stoicism and productivity are highly valued traits.

Recent research conducted by Katerina Johnson and Laura Steenbergen, published in the journal npj Mental Health Research, indicates that probiotics may reduce negative feelings, offering potential mental health benefits. This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the benefits of probiotics go beyond gut health and extend into mental well-being. Probiotics, commonly consumed through yogurts, fermented cheeses, and supplements, harbor beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which can influence not just physical health but how we feel, potentially impacting mood regulation.