#Mentalhealth

A growing body of research and personal accounts is reframing pornography use as a serious public health issue. Mental and social consequences echo those seen in other behavioral addictions, prompting urgent discussions among clinicians, counselors, and affected individuals. In a digital era where porn is ubiquitous, concerns span mental health, relationships, and social well-being in the United States and raise questions for Thai society as well.

Counselors and recovering users describe the real-life effects of problematic viewing, including mood changes, irritability, and social withdrawal. Thailand’s high internet penetration and rapid social change mean many Thai youth are exposed early to online content, underscoring the need for prevention and education to prevent a parallel crisis.

A wave of international research is prompting a global rethinking of how antidepressants are prescribed, especially in the United States where these drugs are widely used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. New findings challenge long-held beliefs about how these medications work, their long-term benefits, and their risks. The implications extend beyond the U.S., influencing mental health practices in Thailand as local care evolves.

In recent years, antidepressants moved from tightly controlled clinical tools to commonly endorsed remedies. Guidelines in some parts of the United States often recommend antidepressants as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression, a stance that contrasts with guidance from global health authorities and Thai care providers who emphasize caution for milder cases. The Covid-19 era saw a surge in prescriptions, underscoring a strong reliance on these medications within American health systems.

A global conversation is sharpening around parenting styles that are often seen as normal or strict. Psychologists warn that excessive control, harsh discipline, and emotional distance can harm children’s emotional health and long-term development. Research summarized in mainstream sources indicates that authoritarian approaches may undermine resilience, while balanced, warm guidance supports better outcomes for children.

In Thailand, where respect for elders and family hierarchy are deeply rooted, parenting practices are especially scrutinized. Traditional Thai norms have often favored strictness and high expectations. Now experts emphasize that warmth, dialogue, and clear boundaries are essential for healthy child development, aligning with evolving Thai educational and mental health priorities.

A growing debate over ADHD medications is reshaping how clinicians, educators, and parents view attention challenges. New reporting highlights questions about long-term benefits and potential risks of stimulant drugs like methylphenidate and amphetamine-based medicines. While these medications can produce quick improvements in focus and behavior, experts warn that lasting academic gains are not guaranteed and that ADHD itself may reflect a mix of biological and environmental factors.

In many places, including Thailand, ADHD diagnoses are rising. Health authorities emphasize careful assessment to distinguish ADHD from anxiety, trauma, and learning difficulties. Data from researchers suggests that three out of four children diagnosed with ADHD also have another related issue, underscoring the need for a holistic approach. Some scholars argue that ADHD symptoms exist on a spectrum and may not represent a fixed, lifelong brain disorder.

A growing body of research suggests that the brain can be retrained to crave movement instead of endless scrolling. In a new briefing inspired by experts who co-authored a book on exercise motivation, scientists outline practical strategies to break the scrolling cycle and embrace more active habits. For Thai readers, these insights offer a timely blueprint as digital habits grip daily life in urban centers.

In today’s fast-paced environment, stress and fatigue push many toward phone use as a comforting distraction. Yet frequent screen time often leads to heightened anxiety, reduced physical activity, and mood dips. In Thailand, where many youths report long daily screen hours, these habits pose concerning health risks, including rising obesity and mental health challenges noted by health authorities and academic work.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that what you see isn’t just a reflection of the world—your brain actively decides “what it wants you to see”, and that decision can change depending on your immediate goals. This discovery, recently published in Nature Communications and spotlighted by Earth.com, challenges a long-held belief about vision, highlighting the brain’s astonishing ability to reshape perception in real time to suit our intentions and tasks (cited from Earth.com: https://www.earth.com/news/rethinking-vision-the-brain-sees-what-it-wants-to-see/).

A wave of international concern is building as psychologists and child development experts warn that a commonly practiced parenting style, sometimes seen as “normal” or “strict,” can actually have lasting negative effects on children. According to a recent report in the New York Post, this approach—characterized by excessive control, harsh discipline, and a lack of emotional warmth—may undermine children’s emotional health and long-term wellbeing NY Post.

Parenting is a sensitive topic across cultures, especially as the foundations laid in early childhood often shape a person’s capabilities, relationships, and mental resilience. In Thailand, where cultural values around respect for elders and family hierarchy are deeply ingrained, the conversation on parenting practices is especially relevant. Traditional Thai parenting sometimes leans toward strictness and high expectations, echoing aspects of the style that experts are now cautioning against.

A fresh study reveals that vision isn’t a passive window to reality. The brain actively decides what to show us, and those choices shift with our immediate goals. Published in Nature Communications and highlighted by science outlets, the research shows the visual system adapts in real time to suit tasks and intentions.

For Thai readers, this means perception is a dynamic process influenced by context, purpose, and cultural expectations. The finding has practical relevance—from navigating Bangkok streets to teaching and mental health. It also hints at future advances in education and AI that mimic human flexibility.

A new study published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences is shedding light on a phenomenon everyone from Thai university students staring at exam papers to harried Bangkok office workers can relate to: the mind suddenly, inexplicably going blank. Once lumped in with mind wandering, “mind blanking” has now been described by neuroscientists as a unique and measurable state linked not just to daydreaming or boredom, but to specific changes in the brain, body, and levels of alertness. The findings carry important implications for how we understand everyday lapses—along with clinical conditions like anxiety and ADHD—for people in Thailand and around the world.

Meeting a partner’s parents for the first time is a milestone that can shape a relationship’s trajectory. Expert guidance from relationship professionals emphasizes practical steps that work across cultures, with careful adaptation for Thai norms and family dynamics.

In Thai society, family approval remains influential when dating and considering long-term commitments. Understanding psychological best practices helps couples build trust with future in-laws, reduce stress, and create a positive first impression that supports ongoing family harmony.

A sweeping new study is transforming how doctors and everyday people understand brain health, identifying 17 intertwined risk and protective factors that can lower your risk of stroke, dementia, and late-life depression simultaneously. This research, led by Dr. Sanjula Singh of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Brain Care Labs and recently covered by The New York Times, signals hope for many—especially Thais facing rapidly aging demographics—who may view these conditions as separate and inevitable. In reality, as experts now confirm, the conditions are deeply linked by underlying changes in the brain’s small blood vessels, offering opportunities to take preventive action on multiple fronts at once (The New York Times, 2025).

A new study is reshaping how doctors and the public view brain health. Researchers identify 17 interconnected risk and protective factors that can lower the odds of stroke, dementia, and late-life depression at the same time. Led by Dr. Sanjula Singh of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Brain Care Labs, the findings, highlighted by The New York Times, emphasize how the brain’s tiny blood vessels link these conditions. For Thai readers, this means practical steps can guard multiple aspects of brain and heart health at once.

Chronic stress is not just a feeling—it quietly undermines health. New research shows persistent stress can disrupt mental health and affect nearly every body system. For Thai readers, understanding these effects is essential amid ongoing social and economic pressures.

In Thailand, stress is a national concern. Surveys indicate a substantial portion of students experience high stress, highlighting how academic and family pressures can shape well-being from a young age. Economic and social uncertainties also contribute to daily strains. Data from Thai health authorities suggests substantial costs tied to stress-related illnesses, underscoring the urgency of prevention and support. In this context, stress often becomes a daily reality for many families and workers.

Chronic stress is more than just a feeling—recent research highlights how persistent stress acts as a silent saboteur, disrupting not only mental health but also impairing nearly every system in the body, according to a report by WBAL-TV quoting Dr. Kim Anderson, regional clinical director at the Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center. As we live through increasingly stressful times, understanding these effects is essential for safeguarding long-term health, especially for Thai readers who face unique cultural and socioeconomic pressures (WBALTV).

A Washington Post column sparked debate after a grandmother described letting her 2½-year-old granddaughter cry for up to 30 minutes to encourage independence and ease preschool routines. Scientists and child psychologists now urge a nuanced, compassionate approach, especially for Thai families juggling traditional wisdom with modern parenting guidance.

The core scenario is familiar: a tired, hungry, or emotionally seeking toddler cries for attention after time apart from working parents. In Thai culture, many grandparents instinctively respond with quick comfort, reflecting long-standing beliefs about nurturing and emotional warmth in early childhood. Contemporary voices, meanwhile, warn that over-responses can “spoil” toddlers or foster dependency. The question remains: what does science say about how caregivers should respond to toddler distress?

Flight anxiety is rising as aviation incidents capture global attention. Recent high-profile crashes and near-misses have intensified worries among travelers, flight crews, and aviation workers. For Thai travelers—whether visiting ASEAN neighbours, conducting business, or joining religious journeys—the renewed fear of flying presents personal and cultural challenges that deserve thoughtful, practical coverage.

Global data suggest that millions experience significant flight-related anxiety. A 2025 survey indicates only about two-thirds of U.S. adults view flying as safe, a drop from the previous year, implying a broader rise in unease. Experts warn that perception can outpace actual risk, especially when media coverage amplifies rare events. Psychologists note that even seasoned flyers report heightened sensitivity to takeoffs, turbulence, and confinement inside an aircraft cabin.

As recent high-profile air disasters reverberate around the globe—including January’s deadly U.S. plane crash, the worst in over two decades—more people than ever are wrestling with intense anxieties about flying. Psychologists, flight attendants, and industry experts are witnessing a sharp uptick in flight-related worries, with even seasoned travelers and aviation workers expressing unprecedented discomfort in the wake of recent events (AP News, National Geographic, MSU Denver RED, NY Post). For Thai travelers—many of whom journey by air within ASEAN and beyond for work, leisure, or pilgrimage—the resurgence of “fear of flying” (aviophobia) presents unique personal and cultural challenges.

Despite widely agreed-upon benefits, working out still feels like a chore for many—even as research keeps confirming that regular physical activity is crucial for overall health. A recent article from CNET, “7 Ways to Sneak More Exercise into Your Daily Routine Without It Feeling Miserable,” breaks down the science and psychology behind building movement into everyday life, offering practical—and surprisingly enjoyable—ways to stay active with less resistance and no gym membership required (read more at CNET: https://www.cnet.com/health/fitness/7-ways-to-sneak-more-exercise-into-your-daily-routine-without-it-feeling-miserable/).

Trauma leaves deep psychological scars, yet recent research offers practical paths for recovery. Global findings highlight resilience, targeted interventions, and community support as key ingredients. In Thailand, where communities have faced natural disasters, political tensions, and personal loss, these insights hold particular relevance for accessible mental health care and destigmatization.

Survivors often grapple with intense emotions, nightmares, and a feeling that healing is out of reach. Experts stress that recovery is possible and depends on a combination of therapeutic approaches, steady social support, and culturally attuned care. A recent piece on trauma recovery in Pahalgam documented the effectiveness of gradual exposure to traumatic memories—an approach now widely recognized as a cornerstone of healing when guided by professionals. In 2024, research consistently underscored that controlled exposure, rather than avoidance, supports long-term recovery. This finding aligns with broader evidence on trauma-informed care and motivates adaptive strategies for Thai patients.

A growing body of research and expert commentary shows a global, including Thai, need: sexual health support is often unmet for people living with and beyond cancer. As treatments improve and survival rises, quality of life—especially intimate wellbeing—becomes a crucial part of care. Medical professionals in Thailand and abroad urge clinicians, patients, and policymakers to treat sexual health as an essential component of cancer care, not a side issue.

Cancer touches every facet of life, and sexual health is particularly vulnerable to disruption. A psychologist from a leading international medical center explains that sexual well-being is connected to emotional and physical recovery during diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Yet doctors frequently overlook these conversations, even as Thai and global studies show most patients experience some sexual health concern during their cancer journey.

Regular exercise delivers clear health benefits, yet many still find workouts feel like a chore. A recent analysis highlights practical, science-supported ways to weave movement into daily life without heavy gym commitments. The core message: small, smart changes beat marathon sessions for long-term health.

As Thailand’s fitness culture expands—participation in clubs and mass events is expected to rise by about 25% in 2024—people seek accessible routines that fit busy lifestyles. In a country facing rising obesity and non-communicable diseases, a large majority of Thais express a desire to improve health and weight. Yet time, energy, and enjoyment remain common barriers to making movement a habit.

A viral question on social media—do parents have fewer friends than people without kids?—has set off a nationwide debate and inspired fresh research into how parenthood impacts adult friendships. Recent reports and expert insights reveal that while parents don’t necessarily “lose” friends, the dynamics, quality, and expectations of adult relationships undergo substantial changes once children arrive. This growing body of research and real-life testimony, which has resonated with many Thai parents and would-be parents, underscores the broader social implications of Thailand’s shifting family structures and the urgent need for supportive communities in the face of urbanization and changing lifestyles (TODAY.com, The Cut, Mother.ly).

A trending social-media question about whether parents have fewer friends than non-parents has sparked a broad discussion and new insights into how adulthood and parenthood change social circles. Research and expert commentary suggest that friendships aren’t erased by children; instead, their dynamics, quality, and expectations shift. The conversation resonates with many Thai families as urban living and changing lifestyles challenge traditional support networks.

The spark came from a social media post by a young creator who asked why parents seem less socially active outside work and childcare. The ensuing comments reveal a common pattern: parenting brings fatigue and new responsibilities, often making spontaneous socializing harder. Yet many participants highlight that meaningful connections can endure when friends adapt and show understanding.

In the wake of tragedies like those witnessed in Pahalgam, communities around the world are asking the same, urgent question: how can trauma survivors deal with the emotional fallout and rebuild their lives? Recent research offers a blend of insight and hope for individuals struggling with the deep psychological wounds caused by trauma—a topic that resonates in Thailand, where many have experienced crises ranging from natural disasters to personal loss.