Exam Stress and Mental Health

Exams can be a significant source of anxiety and fear in children. If not addressed, it can have long-lasting effects on their mental health, causing them to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. There is always constant pressure to perform well on examinations that can be intense, and it gets manifested as physical symptoms (such as sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, nausea) and psychological symptoms (such as racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, negative self-talk).

- Dr. Jyoti Kapoor

While a certain amount of stress is natural, excessive anxiety can lead to negative consequences, affecting both emotional and physical well-being. A recent Lancet study suggested India registered 1, 70,924 suicides in 2022, out of which 7.6 per cent were by students and 2248 suicide deaths were attributed to exam failure. This alarming data underlines the immediate need to understand the trigger points, dealing strategies and how the loved ones can be a support system during such an intense atmosphere.

What leads to exam stress?