Psychologist: Filter information amid war concerns for mental health
Jakarta - Prof. Dr. Rose Mini Agoes Salim M.Psi, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Indonesia, has reminded the public of the importance of seeking reliable sources when filtering information amid the proliferation of global war issues, in order to prevent overthinking and maintain mental health.
“Seek reliable and accurate sources for news regarding wars, attacks, and similar matters. Do not gather information from all social media platforms that may include additional misinformation, which only adds to our confusion,” said Prof Rose in an interview with ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The psychologist, commonly known as Romi, explained that overthinking can arise from various factors, such as stress conditions, psychological pressure, and socio-economic circumstances affecting a person’s life.
According to her, perfectionist tendencies and lack of self-confidence also contribute to overthinking. When situations feel oppressive and fear triggers excessive thoughts and various worries.
“Every person has plans, and when there is a possibility their plans may fail if something happens, they may start overthinking, becoming anxious. When this occurs, garbage information will worsen the situation and deteriorate a person’s mental health,” she stated.
Warning signs of stress or anxiety to watch for, Prof Romi continued, include difficulty concentrating, heightened fearfulness, and the habit of preparing for scenarios that may not actually occur.
This anxiety can even trigger physical symptoms such as heart palpitations and avoidant behaviour, such as fear of leaving home or performing routine activities.
Prof Romi stressed the importance of family and loved ones in providing emotional support to prevent individuals from becoming trapped in excessive negative thoughts.
“In such situations, people around them, their significant others, must provide support to help them return to reality. So they should not think too negatively about everything,” she advised.
Furthermore, Prof Romi recommended addressing anxiety by learning to recognise personal capabilities and adopting spiritual practices.
“We must learn to understand our own abilities and stay informed about our surroundings. But most importantly, trust in God through prayer and worship practices of our respective religions,” she said.