Survey reveals nearly half of Bangkok’s working adults ‘abnormally stressed’

The results of a new survey by the Mental Health Department reveal that almost half of working adults in Bangkok are “abornally stressed,” and that the average happiness level has decreased by over 15 percent in the last three years.

Yesterday, the department’s director-general, Dr. Boonruang Triruangworawat, announced the results of a survey conducted between July and August based on interview with 2,261 working Bangkokians between the ages of 15-60.

The results show that 45 percent of the city dwellers surveyed showed an “abnormal level of stress,” with financial problems — i.e. not earning enough money — being the leading cause.

Other causes of stress include the cost of living in the city, problems with interpersonal relationships and also heavy consumption of the news, according to Manager. 

The numbers appear more optimistic when it comes to “happiness level” with almost 68 percent of citizens considering themselves either an average or above-average level of content.
However, this is a 16 percent drop from their 2015 survey of the same age-group, which found that almost 84 percent of citizens considered their happiness to be average to above-average, Spring News reported.

When asked about ways to manage stress, almost 21 percent said they simply “try to accept their problems,” while about 16 percent said they turned to watching movies or television. About 9 percent turn to Buddhism by visiting temples to make merit, while the rest work out their frustrations in the gym or start traveling.

Less than five percent find someone to talk to.

The top ways in which Bangkokians’ said stress in their daily life manifested were insomnia, constant anger, boredom or tiredness.

Along with Thailand dropping 13 rankings in one year, to 46 place in the sixth World Happiness Report, this is more evidence that residents of the capital are generally less happy than before.

Work-life balance plays a huge part in contributing the overall happiness of a country — and Bangkok was notoriously ranked 5th in terms of having the world’s longest work week.