The term “baper” is an acronym for the phrase “carried away by feelings” and has become everyday slang in Indonesia.
Short for bawa jiwa, this word is usually used for someone who is considered easily offended, even over small things.
However, behind the jokes, the phenomenon of being overly emotional actually has deeper roots, involving psychological factors , past experiences, parenting styles, and the influence of culture and social media.
Psychologist Hernita Wijayaratna, M.Psi., revealed that irritability does not always come suddenly.
There are many things that shape it, even since someone was a child.
“There are actually many factors. For example, having a high sensitivity, negative past experiences, or a lack of social skills since childhood,” explained Hernita at a virtual health talk show hosted by the Ministry of Health on Friday (October 15, 2025).
Baper Is Not Just a Negative Emotion
In the world of psychology , baper is often associated with the emergence of negative emotions such as anger, sadness, or confusion.
Everyone has both negative and positive emotions. What makes the difference is how they manage them.
According to Hernita, people with low levels of “emotional injury” are usually quicker to react to triggers, or stimuli, that disturb their feelings.
This makes them prone to overreactivity.
For example, a comment that is actually neutral can trigger two different reactions.
There are people who respond casually, even jokingly, but there are also those who immediately become offended or angry.
This is where past experiences, parenting styles, and cultural values play a big role.
Someone who has been bullied or humiliated tends to be more sensitive to situations that are similar to their past experiences.
The phenomenon of being emotional in the digital era is increasingly apparent.
Social media, which was originally a space for sharing and communication, can actually become a fertile ground for misunderstandings.
“On social media, people are free to interact without immediate consequences. Written language makes it difficult to convey true emotions, and recipients can interpret messages differently,” said Hernita.
Punctuation errors, capitalization, or even a sarcastic tone that isn’t readable in the text can trigger an overly emotional reaction.
Moreover, when empathy is lacking, someone who isn’t accustomed to understanding others’ feelings will be more easily offended.
And conversely, it is also easy to hurt other people’s feelings without realizing it.
Social Skills That Are Starting to Disappear
Hernita emphasized that good and effective communication skills are the key to reducing the risk of being overly emotional .
Unfortunately, in many environments, these social skills are not trained from childhood.
As a result, as adults, it is difficult for a person to accept input positively or convey messages without offending others.
Culture also plays a significant role. In environments where open communication isn’t common, to-the-point comments are often perceived as rude, even if they’re well-intentioned.
This makes the dynamics of relationships, both in the real and digital world, increasingly vulnerable.
Managing Emotions, Avoiding Drama
Managing emotions doesn’t mean suppressing them. Anger, sadness, and disappointment are all normal.
However, it is important to recognize your own feelings before reacting, understand their causes, and find ways to channel them appropriately.
Understanding that not all comments are meant to be demeaning can help us respond more wisely.
Likewise, before making a comment, it is important to consider how others will receive it.
The phenomenon of being emotional may sound trivial, but if left unchecked, it can damage relationships, lower self-confidence, and even trigger prolonged conflict.
In this fast-paced era of social media, the skills of managing emotions and communicating with empathy are no longer an option, but a necessity.