Amid the rapid flow of global information about conflicts in the Middle East, the threat of layoffs, and declining purchasing power, these issues have become triggers that affect people’s psychological conditions. One common response is personal anxiety driven by global developments. Conflicts occurring far from daily life gradually influence how individuals perceive the world. Continuous exposure to information even makes some people feel that the world is becoming increasingly uncertain.
“I am currently seeing many cases of anxiety emerging alongside global conflicts, and people are indirectly conditioned to believe that the world is no longer doing well,” said Pamela Andari Priyudha, a Psychologist which is also a UGM alumna, on Monday (Apr. 13).
A graduate of the Professional Master’s Program in Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada in 2016, Pamela shared that in her practice as a psychologist on the mental health platform ibunda.id, she encounters a range of cases, from personal anxiety to external pressures.
According to Pamela, repeated exposure to negative news triggers intense emotional responses. In many cases, physical and emotional tension arises as anticipation of possible future threats. This condition often appears in individuals with traumatic life experiences. The body increases alertness as part of its defense mechanism.
“Continuous exposure to negative information can lead to acute anticipatory stress, where the body prepares for something that has not yet happened,” she explained.
If this continues, psychological pressure can develop into broader anxiety. Pamela noted that issues such as threats of conflict, economic uncertainty, and reduced job opportunities heighten feelings of insecurity. Poorly managed information increases the risk of collective anxiety. Individuals often struggle to distinguish between real threats and imagined possibilities.
“If left unchecked, this condition can develop into prolonged stress that triggers anxiety and even collective depression,” she said.
From Pressure to Psychological Growth
Behind emotional pressure, Pamela sees opportunities for individuals to grow. She explained that humans have the capacity to transform stress into a more adaptive drive. With proper emotional management, pressure can be directed into positive energy. This concept is known as post-traumatic growth.
“Humans are equipped with the ability to turn stress into eustress that encourages personal growth and improves quality of life,” she said.
Post-traumatic growth describes positive psychological changes that emerge after someone successfully endures distressing experiences. Pamela explained that this process involves cognitive struggle and deep reflection as one accepts reality. However, not everyone experiences this growth, and some may instead develop conditions such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In certain cases, growth and psychological wounds can appear simultaneously.
“Post-traumatic growth is not merely recovery, but development toward a better quality of life than before,” she explained.
In her practice, Pamela has encountered various individuals who grew after facing emotional pressure. One example involved a person who felt anxious after hearing news of mass layoffs. Anxiety increased as coworkers were laid off one by one. This condition triggered physical symptoms such as nausea, panic attacks, and pressure to continue performing optimally, which ultimately led to exhaustion.
“After receiving psychological assistance, my client began to understand themselves better, restructure their life vision, and prepare more suitable career steps,” she explained.
Furthermore, the ability to achieve post-traumatic growth, according to Pamela, is influenced by interrelated factors. Personal resilience becomes the foundation for facing pressure. In addition, traits such as optimism, openness, and emotional intelligence support the process of finding meaning in experiences. Appropriate information and environmental support also strengthen an individual’s ability to face difficult situations.
“How a person interprets their experiences and the way they think about situations greatly determine whether they can grow,” she said.
As a practicing psychologist, Pamela not only focuses on clinical treatment but also works to improve mental health literacy in society. Through digital psychology service platforms, she bridges the community’s need for easier access to support that is relevant to today’s life dynamics.
Pamela’s experience in handling various cases has led her to understand that mental health challenges are becoming increasingly complex alongside social changes and the rapid flow of information. This motivates her to continue developing adaptive approaches oriented toward individual needs.
As an alumna of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Pamela brings a perspective that emphasizes the importance of mindset in facing life. She believes that every event has value determined by how individuals interpret it. This perspective influences the emotions and responses that arise within a person. In navigating the constant flow of global information, individuals need to manage their information consumption and maintain emotional balance.
“We do not always have control over events outside ourselves, but we have full control over how we respond to them,” she concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Freepik and Personal Documentation of Pamela