War Worries Cause Anxiety? Here's How to Protect Your Mental Health, According to a Psychologist

The proliferation of world war issues and global conflicts in recent times has left some people feeling anxious, worried, and even unable to sleep. The constant stream of information through social media and group chats often worsens fear, especially when sources are unclear.

Professor Rose Mini Agoes Salim, Head of the Psychology Faculty at the University of Indonesia, stresses the importance of filtering information so that the public does not get trapped in overthinking that can affect mental health. ‘Seek accurate and reliable sources for reporting on war or attacks. Do not rely on every social media post that may have had information embellished, which can make us more confused,’ she said, quoted from ANTARA, Wednesday 4 March 2026.

In addition, a perfectionist character and low self-confidence can worsen the situation. When someone has many life plans, threats or uncertainty such as war issues can trigger excessive worry about failure. ‘When plans are likely to fail due to certain circumstances, people can become wary. Trash information will only worsen the situation and mental health,’ she explained.

If this condition persists, quality of life may be disrupted. Ensure you only access news from official and credible sources. Avoid reading information repeatedly that may not be true. Realise that not all information on social media is relevant to one’s personal circumstances. Focus on things within one’s own control.

The role of family and close people is very important. Emotional support can help someone regain more rational thinking and not be overwhelmed by negative thoughts. ‘People around them must provide support so that they return to reality and do not dwell on negative thoughts,’ she said.

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