#Mentalhealth

A recent personal story published by The Telegraph, titled “I was raised by an abusive mother. This is what I want people to know,” has once again brought to light the often-overlooked issue of maternal abuse and its profound, long-term effects on children. While parental abuse is commonly associated with fathers, stories and research are revealing that mothers, too, can be perpetrators, challenging both societal stereotypes and deeply held cultural assumptions. As this subject gains traction in Western media, there is growing recognition of its prevalence and implications for families around the world, including here in Thailand, where filial piety and family honor are especially significant.

Recent revelations from global educational research, including findings highlighted by the Times of India in their coverage on “10 morning habits that encourage children to go to school,” underscore the significance of cultivating consistent, supportive morning routines for school-aged children. With absenteeism and school refusal a growing concern for Thai families and educators, especially in the evolving landscape after COVID-19 disruptions, this research offers valuable, evidence-backed insights tailored for both urban and upcountry Thai lifestyles source.

A new article making waves online explores 11 subtle yet powerful indicators that a person was raised by a “high-quality parent”—those whose approach to parenting promotes not only emotional intelligence and confidence, but also an enduring sense of self-worth and resilience as children grow into adulthood. Drawing upon recent psychological research, the piece offers insights for Thai readers keen to reflect on their family experiences, or seeking to nurture similar strengths in the next generation (YourTango).

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).

Secondary infertility, a condition where couples struggle to conceive after successfully having had at least one child, is becoming an increasing concern among families worldwide, including here in Thailand. Recent reports and new research highlight not only a steady rise in cases but also the typically overlooked emotional turmoil experienced by affected parents—an issue that has resonated with many Thai families amid shifting demographics and social expectations.

The significance of this trend is well-captured by the candid story of Charlotte Bennett, as reported in The Times. Bennett, already a mother, described the “horrendous” guilt of being unable to give her six-year-old son a sibling, despite years of effort. For many parents, secondary infertility brings an unexpected and deeply personal form of distress, often complicated by cultural expectations and misconceptions that once a couple has had one child, further pregnancies should be easy and natural (The 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).

As the sun breaks through the rainy season clouds, many Thais are rediscovering a simple but powerful form of exercise: walking. New research and expert opinions are making it clear—walking, often dismissed as too gentle, is a genuine workout with surprising health benefits. This shift in perspective is timely, especially as people seek accessible ways to boost their health while balancing busy schedules and tight budgets in cities like Bangkok and beyond.

A routine sore throat took a shocking turn for Vanessa Abraham, a California speech pathologist, whose mysterious illness sent her to the intensive care unit for weeks and left doctors baffled for months. Abraham’s ordeal, recently reported by CBS News, highlights the challenges of diagnosing rare neurological diseases—including a little-known variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome—that have implications both in the United States and here in Thailand, where uncommon health conditions can similarly stump practitioners and families.

A wave of recent studies is drawing global attention to a striking trend: the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis – the primary compound responsible for the drug’s psychoactive “high” – is now far more potent than in previous decades. According to new data reported by Axios, the average THC level in U.S. cannabis has quadrupled since the 1990s, signaling both significant changes for cannabis users and new health concerns for society at large Axios. For Thai readers—whether policymakers, healthcare providers, students, or parents—the global surge in high-potency cannabis raises important questions about public health, legal approaches, and cultural attitudes toward marijuana.

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.

MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research is accelerating our understanding of the human brain and using that knowledge to drive innovations that improve lives worldwide. According to a recent feature published on the MIT News site, the McGovern Institute has become a beacon for cutting-edge neuroscience, uniting top researchers in pursuit of answers to questions that affect not only scientific communities, but also real-world health and education challenges facing societies, including those in Thailand. The Institute’s latest projects point to new pathways for treating psychiatric disorders, transforming special education, and empowering community health systems—developments highly relevant for policymakers, clinicians, and educators across Southeast Asia.

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.

Recent insights from a Times of India feature reveal that building a child’s confidence hinges not on grand gestures, but on a constellation of subtle parenting habits practiced daily—a finding with wide-ranging implications for Thai families committed to nurturing emotionally resilient youngsters. This new research-backed approach emphasizes that confidence is not inherited nor built overnight, but rather emerges from the small, consistent ways parents interact, encourage, and support their children at home (Times of India, 2025).

The latest research, highlighted in a recent Guardian feature, tells a surprising story about stress: not only is all stress not equal, but some forms may actually benefit us, while others—especially when misunderstood or managed poorly—can lead to long-term harm. As daily life in Thailand grows ever more complex and fast-paced, understanding this multifaceted force is more important than ever.

In Thailand, the cultural belief of “jai yen yen”—keeping a “cool heart”—is often considered a shield against stressful situations. Yet, as research delves deeper into the biology and psychology of stress, it becomes clear that our reactions are shaped not just by lifestyle or culture, but also by early life experiences, community support, and even our own beliefs about stress itself. This has profound implications for Thai families, workers, and students feeling the mounting pressures of modern life.

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 new wave of research challenges long-held beliefs about stress, revealing that not all stress is harmful and that the impact of stress—and how we should respond—depends on far more than we once imagined. As Thais increasingly grapple with work, family, and digital pressures, the latest scientific insights offer fresh hope—and practical strategies—for managing daily life (The Guardian).

Stress has long been cast as the villain in our health narratives, blamed for physical ills, emotional burnout, and even social collapse. Yet emerging evidence shows the story is far more nuanced, with researchers revealing that not only is some stress “good”—it’s necessary for human growth and resilience. For Thai readers bombarded by news of a ‘stress epidemic’, this signals a needed shift in public understanding and policy.

A recent breakthrough study suggests that low- to moderate-intensity aquatic exercise can significantly improve both physical and psychosocial well-being in people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), bringing new hope for a condition often marked by persistent fatigue and limited treatment options. Published on April 17, 2025, and led by Dr. Suzanne Broadbent, Associate Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) challenges the longstanding caution against physical activity for ME/CFS patients—a group that also includes a high proportion of those battling fibromyalgia symptoms.

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.

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).

A wave of online discussion and emerging expert commentary has thrown the spotlight on a little-known but deeply felt emotional response that many people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are now recognizing as a shared experience: rejection sensitive dysphoria (R.S.D.). Although not officially classified in psychiatric manuals, R.S.D. is described as an intense or overwhelming reaction to actual or perceived criticism, rejection, or failure—a feeling likened to a “balloon popping” by TikTok creators and capturing the imagination of millions on social media platforms source.

In a world where the search for effective, accessible healing methods never wanes, recent research shines a spotlight on an ancient yet modern remedy: music. A groundbreaking study published in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners demonstrates how music therapy—both active and passive—can significantly improve the lives of people facing Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, chronic pain, Parkinson’s, and even seizure disorders. As reported by Neuroscience News, the findings point to music’s profound neurological impact, offering an inexpensive, non-pharmaceutical avenue for support that resonates across cultures and generations (Neuroscience News).

A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that depression is now more common among Americans than ever before, with treatment rates falling short despite growing awareness—a development that brings important lessons for health policymakers and families across Thailand. The report, based on data from 2021 to 2023, found that over one in eight Americans aged 12 and older have experienced depression recently, almost double the rate reported just a decade ago. Yet, only about 40% of those affected pursued counseling or therapy for their symptoms, highlighting a persistent gap between need and access to care (CNN).

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).