#Psychology

In a world where success and achievement often define individual worth, new psychological insights highlight the silent epidemic facing high-achievers: burnout. A recent article by a psychologist, published in Forbes on May 20, 2025, draws attention to three definitive signs that indicate when relentless striving for excellence turns self-destructive, offering timely lessons for professionals, students, and families in Thailand’s increasingly competitive environment (Forbes).

The article outlines a familiar cycle experienced by many: periods of intense productivity followed by exhaustion, plummeting motivation, and a crisis in personal identity as the pursuit of achievement begins to overshadow well-being. With the pressure mounting in Thai workplaces, classrooms, and even homes to meet ever-higher standards, this research resonates with a society where academic and career milestones often serve as measures of self-worth.

A new wave of psychological research highlights a compelling connection between narcissism and social networking site addiction, raising concerns about the impact of personality traits on online behavior. As social media platforms continue to play a central role in daily life, this latest study provides critical insight not only for global users but also for Thai society, where smartphone and internet penetration are among the highest in Southeast Asia.

The significance of this finding lies in its ability to explain why certain individuals develop problematic social media habits more readily than others. According to the research, those who exhibit stronger narcissistic personality characteristics are statistically more vulnerable to becoming reliant on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The study, published in a peer-reviewed academic journal and summarized by PsyPost, builds on previous knowledge that social media can serve as both a stage for self-promotion and a source of constant validation.

A new study in Cognition & Emotion reveals that nostalgic memories grow less sweet and more bitter as time passes. Led by a UK-based psychologist and colleagues, the research challenges the idea that nostalgia always heals by strengthening social bonds and meaning.

For Thai readers, nostalgia is a familiar and treasured theme. Thai culture often centers on family reunions, school memories, and festive moments like Songkran and Loy Krathong. Understanding how nostalgia shifts emotionally is especially relevant amid rapid urbanization and social change in Thailand.

Dating apps have surged among Thailand’s urban youth, but new research warns of a growing mental health burden. A 2024 survey by Forbes Health and OnePoll found that nearly 80% of Gen Z and Millennials feel exhausted by dating experiences. This pattern mirrors broader global studies and local observations of digital dating fatigue affecting well-being and social connections.

Across Bangkok and other cities, the romance search often promises excitement. Yet a 12-week study of almost 500 dating-app users found rising emotional exhaustion and self-doubt the longer people stay active. Those already dealing with depression, anxiety, or loneliness were especially vulnerable, sometimes entering a cycle of swiping and messaging that deepened isolation rather than fostering real connection.

A groundbreaking new analysis reveals that simple acts such as making eye contact and engaging in polite small talk with strangers offer far more than fleeting pleasantries—they represent a form of “psychological generosity” that can significantly enhance individual and societal well-being. Published on May 21, 2025, in The Conversation by a noted professor of social psychology, this research underscores how daily habits in social attention are fundamental to fostering community, decreasing isolation, and building a healthier, more connected society (The Conversation).

A new analysis shows that simple acts like making eye contact and engaging in brief small talk with strangers fare beyond polite niceties. These micro-interactions function as “psychological generosity” that can boost both individual happiness and community well-being. The study, published in The Conversation on May 21, 2025, emphasizes how daily social attention shapes healthier, more connected societies. Research from respected institutions highlights that such habits remain foundational even as digital communication expands.

A fresh wave of relationship guidance is making waves for its simplicity and impact: the “30-second rule.” Promoted by renowned couples therapist Terrence Real, this approach is gaining attention as a practical way to improve everyday conversations and conflict resolution. The idea is straightforward: give positive, attentive engagement for just 30 seconds. Even those who feel awkward or anxious can “win” the discussion by fostering understanding and connection.

This message resonates with Thai readers navigating workplace harmony, family bonds, and romantic partnerships. In Thailand, communication challenges are a major source of stress at home, where indirect speech and the preference to preserve face can leave issues unresolved. The concept of kreng jai—consideration for others’ feelings—often means small misunderstandings linger. Real’s framework offers a respectful, culturally aware path to move past stalemates without direct confrontation.

A new self-help trend is sweeping social media and bookstores, led by motivational expert Mel Robbins. Her simple mantra, “Let Them,” sits at the heart of the best-selling Let Them Theory. The approach promises emotional freedom and resilience by encouraging people to stop micromanaging others’ actions and opinions. Robbins argues that embracing these two words can curb overthinking, people-pleasing, and taking things personally — while supporting mental health in a fast-paced, uncertain world.

A new self-help trend is sweeping through social media and bookshops alike, with motivational expert Mel Robbins advocating a simple mantra: “Let Them.” This phrase, the backbone of Robbins’s best-selling “Let Them Theory,” promises to grant emotional freedom and resilience by encouraging individuals to stop micromanaging the actions and opinions of others. Robbins argues that embracing these two words can help people break free from the cycle of overthinking, people-pleasing, and taking things personally — all while improving mental health in a world overloaded by stress and uncertainty (melrobbins.com, nytimes.com).

A recent article from Psychology Today has reignited scientific curiosity about déjà vu, that uncanny moment when a new experience feels eerily familiar—even when logic insists it shouldn’t be. This fleeting sense, known in French as “already seen,” has long puzzled neuroscientists and psychologists. Now, emerging research offers a richer understanding of déjà vu’s origins and its surprising role in human cognition, raising questions for Thai readers about how their own brains handle memory and experience PsychologyToday.com.

A recent piece in Psychology Today explores déjà vu—the uncanny sense that a new moment has happened before, even when logic says it shouldn’t. This brief sense, rooted in French as “already seen,” has long puzzled scientists. New research deepens our understanding of its origins and suggests a nuanced role in human cognition, with clear implications for memory and perception in daily life.

Most Thais will recognize déjà vu in everyday moments—strolling a busy Bangkok market or chatting in a crowded cafe—where a scene feels unexpectedly familiar. Scientists now argue it is more than a quirky glitch. Déjà vu reflects how memory processing works, illustrating both strengths and vulnerabilities in human perception.

Homesickness is a common human experience, but its impact on Thai students, workers, and travelers abroad is often overlooked. New research highlights how homesickness affects mood, sleep, appetite, and focus, and suggests practical steps for Thais navigating study, work, or relocation far from home.

Many psychologists describe homesickness as more than longing for family or familiar foods. It reflects a natural response to attachment loss and the instability of new surroundings. A senior clinical psychologist and public health expert notes that what we miss is not the exact details of home, but the sense of safety, predictability, and belonging. This resonates with Thais who leave tight-knit communities for opportunities elsewhere.

Homesickness is a nearly universal experience, yet its profound effects on the mind and body are often overlooked. As more Thais study, work, and travel abroad—or even just relocate within the country—the latest psychological research sheds new light on why homesickness matters, how it manifests physically and emotionally, and how Thai individuals can navigate this common struggle HuffPost.

Homesickness is not simply about a longing for family or food from home; psychologists explain it as a natural response to lost attachment and the instability of new surroundings. According to one clinical psychologist and public health professor at an American university, what we miss is less the specific details of home and more the comfort of the familiar, the predictable, and the safe. “We’re longing for something that in our minds is known, predictable, consistent and stable,” the professor explains. This sentiment echoes strongly with those who have moved from tight-knit Thai communities or family homes, even when seeking better opportunities elsewhere.

A recent study in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies sheds light on the lingering psychological challenges some people experience after psychedelic experiences and what helps most. The research highlights that while anxiety and panic attacks can be disruptive, existential struggles and reduced self-esteem often persist for more than a year.

As global interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy grows, these findings are timely for health professionals and the public, including those in Thailand where discussions about alternative mental health treatments are expanding. Prior work has shown that a portion of users—estimates range from 5% to 25%—continue to deal with psychological effects long after their initial experience. Understanding these risks is essential for Thai healthcare providers and communities.

New research is reshaping how we understand anxiety, highlighting mindfulness as a flexible toolkit rather than a one-size-fits-all remedy. Findings from a team at Washington University in St. Louis, as summarized in a leading neuroscience review, emphasize matching specific mindfulness practices to different anxiety profiles. This approach resonates with Thai readers facing pressures from fast-paced work life to economic uncertainty.

Mindfulness combines deliberately paying attention to the present moment with an accepting mindset. In Thailand, many people already practice meditation, yoga, and temple-based mindfulness from childhood and community life. Recent science helps explain how these practices work in the brain to reduce anxiety. Researchers describe enhanced cognitive control—the brain’s ability to regulate thoughts and actions toward goals even under stress. Data from Thailand’s Department of Mental Health shows rising anxiety levels tied to work, finances, and health concerns, underscoring the need for accessible self-help tools.

A growing body of research is reshaping the way both scientists and everyday individuals understand and manage anxiety, with mindfulness practices at the core of these new insights. Recent findings from a cluster of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, as reported in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, suggest mindfulness is not a “one size fits all” remedy, but rather a dynamic set of tools that can be matched to the various forms in which anxiety manifests. This revelation is of particular significance to Thai readers, many of whom have felt the mounting pressures of modern life, from economic uncertainties to an increasingly demanding work culture.

Stress is not just a private experience; it travels through families, workplaces, and communities. New expert commentary highlights how one person’s anxiety can affect the health and wellbeing of those around them. Research summarized by mental health specialists shows that stress can spread via social interactions, influencing both physical and psychological health.

In Thailand’s close-knit social culture, this phenomenon matters. Family bonds, team dynamics, and communal activities shape daily life, so stress can ripple quickly through homes, schools, and offices. Contemporary pressures—economic uncertainty, exam seasons, and public health concerns—amplify the need to understand how stress propagates and how to prevent its spread.

A groundbreaking new study published this week in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies offers one of the clearest views yet into the lingering psychological challenges some individuals face after using psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca—and what helps them cope. Researchers found that while anxiety and panic attacks are among the most disruptive post-experience effects, difficulties such as existential struggles and reduced self-esteem often last for more than a year, underscoring the need for better support systems.

Recent research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science has shed new light on the emotional rewards of parenthood, revealing that moments of pride and awe experienced by parents can significantly enhance psychological well-being. The findings suggest that these intense yet positive parental emotions may make the everyday challenges of raising children more fulfilling, offering valuable insights for Thai families seeking mental balance and parental satisfaction (PsyPost).

While much existing research highlights the stress, fatigue, and burden often associated with caregiving, this new study stands out by focusing on the uplifting side of parenting—specifically, the personal impact of feeling proud or awestruck by one’s child. The research addresses a long-standing question: If daily parenting demands are so high, why do people almost universally continue to choose parenthood? In Thai society, where strong family bonds and respect for generational contributions are culturally embedded, this question resonates deeply.

New research in Social Psychological and Personality Science explores the emotional rewards of parenting. It finds that moments of pride and awe parents feel toward their children can boost psychological well-being. The study suggests these positive emotions help parents cope with daily challenges and find greater fulfillment in family life, a finding that resonates with Thai families focused on balance, harmony, and family values.

In many studies, caregiving is linked to stress and fatigue. This new work shifts the focus to the uplifting side of parenting. It asks why people choose parenthood despite demanding daily routines, a question particularly meaningful in Thailand where strong family ties and respect for elders are deeply embedded in culture.

A study published in a leading psychology journal argues that time-honored Indigenous healing practices—centered on rituals, storytelling, and ancestral wisdom—offer powerful alternatives to Western psychiatric models. The international research team calls for a decolonial turn in psychology, urging mental health systems to embrace Indigenous cosmologies, ceremonies, and community knowledge as vital resources rather than curiosities.

For Thai readers, the findings resonate with the Kingdom’s own traditions of healing, spirituality, and communal care. Thailand sits at the crossroads of tradition and modern health care, where village rituals, Buddhist meditation, and temple-based mindfulness already play a role in mental well-being. As psychological distress rises globally and in Thailand, the study prompts urgent conversations about whether Western models alone are enough—or appropriate—for Thai communities.

A groundbreaking new study published in American Psychologist is challenging established conceptions of mental health care, arguing that time-honored Indigenous healing practices—centered on rituals, storytelling, and ancestral wisdom—offer powerful alternatives to the predominantly Western psychiatric model. The transnational team behind the study calls for a radical “decolonial turn” in psychology, urging global mental health systems to embrace Indigenous cosmologies, ceremonies, and community knowledge as vital resources, not mere curiosities (madinamerica.com).

What really makes men happy in the 21st century? A viral article from Upworthy has captured global attention by distilling the twelve simplest, most relatable factors that contribute to men’s happiness, sparking discussion not only online but also among psychologists, relationship counselors, and everyday readers searching for joyful living. Behind the list, experts indicate, are timeless psychological concepts and cultural undercurrents that resonate strongly in Thailand and worldwide, highlighting both modern pressures and enduring truths about wellbeing.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, may not always look as it does in popular culture—repetitive hand-washing, flicking light switches, or arranging objects in a precise order. According to the latest research highlighted in a recent feature by The New York Times, OCD manifests in numerous, often hidden ways that many individuals and even clinicians may not recognize, leading to under-diagnosis and misunderstanding of this complex mental health disorder (nytimes.com).

This development is especially significant for Thai readers and healthcare professionals, as it expands the conventional image of OCD and aims to reduce stigma while encouraging early identification and more effective treatment in Thailand. Mental health awareness is on the rise nationwide, but recognizing the less visible faces of OCD remains a challenge both for those affected and society at large.