#Mentalhealth

A new international study from the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra shows that ghosting and gaslighting—common online relationship behaviours—can fuel depression and paranoia, especially among young adults. The findings underscore the mental health risks tied to modern dating cultures and the broader impact of online dating on wellbeing. Research by reputable institutions highlights how anonymity and ease of cutting contact online exacerbate emotional harm.

In Thailand, social media and dating apps are increasingly shaping romance, mirroring global trends. Experts say online disappearance (ghosting) and manipulating someone’s perception (gaslighting) are not only painful but damaging to mental health. With dating app use rising locally and mental health apps gaining traction among Thais, it’s timely to understand these dynamics. Data from Thailand’s tech and health sectors shows high engagement with wellness platforms, reflecting a growing public interest in mental health support.

In a world dominated by round-the-clock digital connectivity and polished self-care routines, many Thais may find their energy mysteriously evaporating before the day is through. Fresh research, distilled by a prominent psychologist and summarized in a widely read Forbes article, reveals that it isn’t only overt stress and long hours that lead to exhaustion, but rather a collection of subtle, everyday behaviors that most people pass off as harmless. Understanding and addressing these quiet saboteurs could prove vital for many in Thailand’s rapidly urbanizing, tech-saturated society, where exhaustion is often worn as a badge of honour and productivity is prized above all else (Forbes).

A British clinical psychologist has sparked international debate by suggesting that what sounds like encouragement from a friend can conceal a toxic dynamic. This insight offers valuable lessons for Thai audiences navigating friendship boundaries in a social-media era.

In Thai culture, friendship is central to emotional wellbeing and is often seen as a lifelong bond built on respect and mutual support. With face and social reputation playing important roles, it is crucial to distinguish genuine encouragement from covert hostility, especially as interactions increasingly move online where sarcasm can be subtle.

A new study led by a senior psychologist identifies five major threats to contemporary romantic relationships. Building on research published in the American Journal of Psychology, the findings explore why couples today often struggle with commitment and how to protect intimacy in Thailand’s fast-changing society. The study’s insights are especially relevant as urban Thailand grapples with digital life, longer work hours, and evolving cultural norms.

In Thailand’s busy cities, where digital connectivity and demanding careers are the norm, the study’s implications resonate locally. The research serves as a timely reminder for couples and families to adapt proactively to keep relationships healthy amid modern stressors.

A recent study published in Dreaming reveals a strong link between childhood emotional abuse or neglect and more frequent nightmares among young adults. Research suggests that early emotional maltreatment can imprint lasting psychological scars, with rumination and social support shaping how severely dreams are affected. For Thai audiences, these findings highlight the need for broader awareness of emotional health within families, schools, and communities.

Nightmares are not just distressing bedtime stories; they can signal ongoing trauma. In Thailand, where family harmony and social harmony are valued, openly addressing emotional health remains challenging. This study underscores how subtle forms of maltreatment—without visible bruises—can influence mental health well into adulthood.

A new wave of research and cultural discussion has cast fresh light on the nature of empathy, challenging the familiar notion that empathy is merely a spontaneous, uncontrollable feeling. Instead, research and commentary increasingly suggest that empathy is a conscious choice—often a difficult one—that anyone can practice, especially when facing troubling or complex situations such as addiction, social deviance, or crisis. This revised understanding has significant implications for Thai society, health, and education, pointing the way toward more compassionate and effective responses in homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces.

Recent scientific investigations are shedding light on how simply thinking optimistically about the future can rewire the human brain, with powerful implications for mental health, resilience, and productivity. New expert analysis suggests that cultivating a more optimistic outlook – especially through repeatedly visualizing positive future scenarios – can result in measurable brain changes, potentially helping people across all ages to cope better with stress and recover swiftly from adversity. These new findings are being taken seriously by mental health professionals in Thailand, where the pressures of modern life have contributed to rising rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among youth and working adults.

A groundbreaking study released by researchers at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra reveals that ghosting and gaslighting—two behaviours increasingly prevalent in the digital age—can trigger depression and paranoia, particularly among young adults. The findings highlight not only the mental health risks associated with these relationship practices but also the broader impact of online dating culture on psychological wellbeing (The Independent).

Modern romance in Thailand, as in much of the world, is increasingly mediated by social media and dating applications. The latest research confirms suspicions long held by mental health professionals: the anonymity and ease of cutting contact online (known as ghosting) and manipulating a partner’s reality (gaslighting) are not just emotionally painful but measurably damaging to mental health. The study’s results are particularly relevant as usage of dating apps continues to surge locally, and mental health apps themselves find a growing market among Thais—82% of those surveyed by Rakuten Insight reported continued use of mental wellness apps in 2022 (Statista).

A groundbreaking study recently published in the journal Dreaming finds that young adults who experienced emotional abuse and neglect during childhood are significantly more likely to suffer frequent nightmares and bad dreams. This research sheds new light on the hidden long-term mental health scars left by emotional maltreatment, and offers important insights for families, educators, and mental health professionals in Thailand and beyond (psypost.org, psycnet.apa.org).

Nightmares and disturbing dreams aren’t just childhood fears—they can be serious symptoms of lingering trauma. For Thai society, where family harmony and emotional well-being are vital yet discussions of emotional health can be challenging, this study underscores the urgent need for greater awareness of the subtle damages caused by emotional abuse. Unlike physical abuse, emotional maltreatment leaves no bruises, but its effects can be just as profound, affecting victims’ psychological health well into adulthood.

A major study reveals that nostalgic memories evolve emotionally as time passes. Far from staying the same, these reflections become more complex and can even include sadness, alongside enduring warmth. The finding challenges the idea that emotional memory is stable and has meaningful implications for mental health, self-understanding, and how Thais connect with the past.

Researchers at a leading university in the United Kingdom conducted two experiments in which participants recalled nostalgic, ordinary, or neutral events and rated their feelings both at the time of the event and at recall. The study shows that nostalgic memories often start warm and positive but can dim over time, allowing negative feelings such as regret and loneliness to surface. This contrasts with the fading affect bias, where negative feelings typically diminish faster than positive ones. Nostalgia follows its own pattern, maintaining some positive emotion and a sense of connection, even as negative feelings arise.

In Thailand’s fast-paced, digitally connected world, energy can vanish long before outlets close for the day. A respected psychologist highlights subtle daily habits that quietly sap vitality, beyond overt stress. A recent Forbes summary of this expert’s findings stresses that mindfully addressing these small drains may be essential for Thailand’s increasingly urban, tech-heavy society, where hustle is praised and energy is a precious resource.

The insights matter as Thailand navigates a cultural shift between traditional wellbeing and modern, always-on living. The country’s emphasis on “sabai” and communal balance sits alongside rising burnout in workplaces and classrooms. Understanding the hidden energy drains is thus a public health concern, not just an individual challenge.

A growing debate among educators, psychologists, and parents questions the value of generic praise like “good job.” New findings and thoughtful commentary suggest that how praise is delivered matters as much as if it is given. As Thailand’s school year ends, understanding these ideas can help teachers, parents, and policymakers support resilient, motivated students.

In Thailand, phrases such as “ทำดีมาก” (tham dee mak – “good job”) are common in classrooms and homes. They carry cultural weight in a society that highly values achievement and family harmony. Yet recent research indicates that blanket praise may not be the most effective way to foster long-term growth or intrinsic motivation.

As daily life in Thailand grows ever more hectic, the search for ways to foster inner positivity—without falling into the trap of toxic cheerfulness—has entered the national conversation. Recent research and expert commentary, highlighted in a new article from Self Magazine, shines light on evidence-backed methods that anyone can use to become a genuinely more positive person, all without resorting to forced affirmations or denying life’s real challenges. Instead of pushing an unrealistic “bright side only” approach, these strategies acknowledge the fundamental realities of the human mind and how small shifts in thinking can make a big difference.

A groundbreaking new study has shed light on the emotional evolution of nostalgic memories, revealing that our fond reflections grow in complexity—and even sadness—the further we drift from their origin. This insight challenges previous assumptions about the stability of emotional memory and may have important implications for mental health, self-understanding, and how Thais relate to their own past.

Researchers from the University of Southampton have found that nostalgic memories are far from emotionally static. Using two separate experiments, participants were asked to recall nostalgic, ordinary, or neutral personal events and rate their emotional responses both at the time the event occurred and at the moment of recollection. According to the findings reported by Neuroscience News, the emotional tone of nostalgic memories shifts over time: while initially brimming with warmth and positivity, these memories tend to fade in brightness, making room for more negative emotions—particularly regret and loneliness.

A new perspective from a British clinical psychologist is turning conventional wisdom on its head—what sounds like praise from a friend might actually be a subtle flag of a toxic relationship. This unexpected finding has triggered wide debate internationally and holds crucial lessons for Thai readers who are navigating the intricate boundaries of friendship, particularly in today’s social media-driven culture.

For many Thais, friendships are central to emotional wellbeing and are often regarded as lifelong bonds strengthened through shared experiences, respect, and support. Given the importance of “face” (renown and social reputation) in Thai society, understanding the lines between genuine encouragement and covert hostility is critical—especially when social interactions are increasingly migrating to online spaces, where sarcasm and subtle digs can fly under the radar.

New psychological research challenges stereotypes about BDSM. The study finds that adults who practice BDSM show more secure attachment and lower neuroticism than the general population. The findings come from a large sample using established personality and attachment measures. Data indicate BDSM participants report greater trust in relationships and higher emotional stability, consistent across genders and age groups.

Researchers used standard inventories to compare BDSM practitioners with non-practitioners. The results showed higher rates of secure attachment, reflecting comfort with emotional closeness and dependable bonds. They also showed notably lower neuroticism, implying resilience and steadier emotional responses. These patterns held true regardless of how often individuals engage in BDSM or their level of involvement.

As Thailand enters the bustling holiday travel season, new research and expert advice offer a lifeline to those dreading the stress often associated with journeys during peak periods. From the capital’s busy airports to rural bus terminals, the chaos of getting home or seeking a getaway is as much a feature of Songkran or New Year as the celebrations themselves. But there are science-backed strategies that can make even the most arduous trip smoother, according to a recent report from travel and mental health professionals (AP News).

A new wave of concern is sweeping through families and health professionals as muscle dysmorphia—commonly called “bigorexia”—gains traction among children and teenagers worldwide. Recent research and high-profile warnings from mental health experts signal that this body image disorder, often overlooked and misunderstood, is swiftly becoming a public health issue, including for Thai families who may traditionally associate eating disorders more with thinness than muscularity. The phenomenon forces a reconsideration of how we talk to children about bodies, exercise, and the subtle pressures lurking online.

A new wave of psychological research defies stereotypes, revealing that people who practice BDSM—an umbrella term for bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism—actually demonstrate more secure attachment styles and lower levels of neuroticism than the general population, according to a recent study reported by PsyPost. The findings challenge widespread misconceptions about BDSM participants and suggest their emotional and psychological well-being may, in certain respects, surpass that of non-practitioners.

For years, BDSM practices have often been misunderstood or pathologized, both in the media and popular culture. This new research draws from robust psychological models to examine fundamental aspects of personality, specifically focusing on attachment theory—a framework that explores how people form secure or insecure emotional bonds—and neuroticism, a personality trait associated with emotional instability, anxiety, and negative emotions. By investigating these factors in BDSM practitioners, the study seeks to clarify whether engaging in these consensual activities is linked with psychological health or distress.

A recent study in Psychological Medicine shows major depressive disorder is linked to faster brain aging. The research, conducted with a Japanese cohort, indicates that depression-related brain changes are not limited to Western populations. This underscores global relevance and has implications for Thai communities.

For Thai readers, the findings arrive as depression rates rise across Southeast Asia and mental-health care remains a public-health priority. The study reinforces the idea that depression affects more than mood; it is tied to measurable changes in brain structure. Researchers found that brains of people with major depressive disorder appeared significantly older than those of healthy peers, suggesting that depression may accelerate neural aging. This highlights the need for improved mental-health screening, support, and treatment in Thai communities where stigma has historically limited care access.

A new study highlights ghosting and gaslighting in online dating as risk factors for mental health issues among young adults. Researchers from the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra found links between these behaviors and symptoms of depression and paranoia, underscoring emotional risks in modern dating culture.

For Thai readers, the findings feel highly relevant in a social media-driven era where dating apps are popular among Gen Z and millennials. As relationship norms evolve, digital rejection and manipulation can spread with a single tap. Ghosting—being suddenly ignored—and gaslighting—emphasizing doubt about one’s memory or perceptions—can leave lasting emotional effects.

As artificial intelligence floods our daily lives with rapid answers at the tap of a screen, a new wave of research is raising urgent questions: Is our dependence on instant knowledge in fact undermining the very wisdom that makes us human? A recent analysis published in Psychology Today offers a sobering examination of what we lose when we trade reflection for immediacy—and what Thai society must do to reclaim the deep thinking that underpins both personal and collective growth (Psychology Today).

A landmark study published in Psychological Medicine has revealed that individuals suffering from major depressive disorder show signs of accelerated brain aging, offering new insights into the profound physical toll depression takes on the body. The research, which focused on a Japanese cohort, is one of the first to confirm that depression’s impact on brain structure extends beyond Western populations, emphasizing the global relevance of the findings and their implications for countries like Thailand.

A new commentary published in Psychology Today proposes that storytelling is not just a cultural practice but a central mechanism through which human beings seek meaning, transmit values, and retain memories—a perspective supported by recent psychological research and resonant in societies worldwide, including Thailand. The analysis, reflecting on perspectives from noted psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl and memory pioneer Hermann Ebbinghaus, underscores that the stories we tell—whether in families, classrooms, or broader media—profoundly shape our sense of identity, purpose, and well-being. As digital media reshapes how stories are shared, deliberation grows about the social quality of today’s storytelling and its effects on collective and individual meaning.