World Suicide Prevention Day: The reality of exam stress and 5 signs every parent should look out for
Education
Kanika Khurana
Updated Sep 10, 2019 | 05:55 IST
Examination Stress claims the life of more students than we can count.
On this World Suicide Prevention Day, here is a look at 5 signs every parent
should look out for.
5 Signs of Exam Stress every parent should know |
5 Signs of Exam Stress every parent should know |
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Exam Stress is as much a reality as student suicide. Only this year, as many
Exam Stress is as much a reality as student suicide. Only this year, as many
as 16 students in Telangana committed suicide after the TS Inter results
were announced. Reports of students committing suicide at Kota, at various
IITs are all real. On this World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), here
is a quick look at the ugly face of exam stress and 5 signs every parent
should look out for.
Psychologists and doctors point out that every individual displays unique
Psychologists and doctors point out that every individual displays unique
signs. However, there are a few signs which should set off warning bells. It is
important to point out that a child may display the symptoms mentioned
below or even otherwise but as many point out – if there is something amiss
with your child, you would get signs.
Change in appetite
A child may show an increased aversion to food. Stress and depression
Change in appetite
A child may show an increased aversion to food. Stress and depression
often makes a child loose his/her appetite and this is a phenomenon often
seen during examinations. What a parent needs to look for are sudden
changes in appetite and possible weight loss.
Extreme and erratic mood swings
This is one of the trickier things for adolescence is riddled with mood swings.
Psychologists point out that students suffering from acute exam stress
would show extremes…extreme silence and extreme bursts of anger. Some
students may show increased aggression but often it is the opposite or lack
of aggression that is a more worrisome.
Socially aloof behaviour
Students under extreme exam stress or suffering from depression are often
aloof. They would avoid large social gatherings and would often avoid
of OCD, causes, treatment
Erratic Sleep Patterns
If your child is sleeping too little or too much, both are causes of worry.
Erratic Sleep Patterns
If your child is sleeping too little or too much, both are causes of worry.
Stress and depression can cause broken sleep patterns, often resulting in
the child either not able to sleep or not able to get out of bed. In the latter
case, the child may complain about lethargy and inability to get out of bed.
Confused or overwhelmed
If you find your child confused, second guessing or just displaying acute
anxiety closer to the examination, you know that the child is under
examination stress.
While there are other signs as well, experts often reiterate that sometimes it
While there are other signs as well, experts often reiterate that sometimes it
is extremely difficult to check these signs in time. Then what can a parent
do? A lot.
Parents ought to understand that in today’s technologically advanced age,
Parents ought to understand that in today’s technologically advanced age,
information is rampant and so are opportunities. What is missing, however is
constructive guidance. Here are a few things parents can do actively to
check examination stress and help prevent any untoward incident.
Keep a channel of communication open with your child.
Provide confidence about your faith in the child’s ability to succeed in life,
irrespective of the career choice.
Talk about various career opportunities available.
Talk about various career opportunities available.
Communicate with the teachers to assess the behaviour of the child at
school.
Parents are also advised to seek professional help by means of child
counsellors and career counselling in case they come across any of the
signs mentioned above.
