Psychologist Says Overthinking Can Stem From Childhood Trauma
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DEPOK – Psychologist from the University of Indonesia, Edward Andriyanto, highlighted the phenomenon of overthinking, which is increasingly experienced by students. He stated that this habit of excessive thinking often stems from unaddressed inner child wounds.
“So, all students come to campus already carrying scars. It just depends on how big they are and how they react when triggered,” said Edward when speaking at the Out Loud event held by Republika in collaboration with BKM FISIP UI at the FISIP UI building, Depok, Thursday (February 26, 2026).
According to Edward, these wounds can form from a young age, for example, from parenting patterns that emphasize criticism more than appreciation. He cited the habit of comparing a child’s grades with the achievements of others.
Instead of receiving positive reinforcement, the child receives the message that their achievements are not good enough. These seemingly small wounds, he said, can accumulate and carry over into college.
“So when students face academic pressure or comments from lecturers, their emotional response can be amplified. Because what is being triggered is not just the problem of today, but old wounds that have not been resolved,” he said.
To overcome this, Edward suggested trying mindfulness practices or being fully present in the moment. He believes that mindfulness does not have to be done through expensive classes, but can start with simple activities such as eating with full focus without distractions.
“Our brains can only focus on one thing at a time, but we rarely truly live in the moment. That’s why, for example, Netflix can only play one movie, it can’t play two movies at the same time,” he explained.
In addition to self-management, Edward emphasized the importance of social support. Friends and family are considered the first line of support before professional help. Therefore, he also invited young people to learn to be more sensitive and connected to those around them.
“Sharing experiences is a process of finding meaning in problems. A person usually stops telling their story when they have found an understanding of their own situation,” he said.
Edward also shared his personal experience of suffering from severe depression in 2014 and having to undergo treatment. He found that helping others became one of the most effective ways to recover.
“Helping others brings strong and real happiness. It turns out that by helping my patients, it can also be a medicine for myself,” he said.
Out Loud Republika is a series of talk shows and healing experiences titled “Grow Through What You Go Through” which focuses on mental health. This event, which is a collaboration between Republika and BKM FISIP UI, presents speakers such as Danilla Riyadi and health experts, offering free counseling and mental health screenings.
This event is also supported by Samsung Galaxy S26 Series, Bank Mandiri, Siloam Heart Hospital, Paragon Corp, Dompet Dhuafa, and Darya-Varia Laboratoria.