Good and good students are prone to stress and depression

At the end of 12th grade – an important exam preparation period, but Nam (18 years old) could not focus on studying. Previously, he was a good and good student, but from grade 11, Nam showed difficulty in controlling his emotions and did not focus on studying. There are many bruises on my hands and feet due to self-injury.

Nam always feels pressured because he doesn’t know how to study much. Because of this thinking, patients lose interest in learning, always have to struggle between trying to study well and what to study for.

Along with the pressure from the upbringing, the parents’ expectations made the child appear antagonistic ideas and behaviors by playing pranks, teasing friends excessively… In times of stress, the patient pinched himself. , hurt yourself to find comfort. Nam had to go to the Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital for examination and treatment.

Ths.BS Duong Minh Tam, Head of the Division of Treatment of Stress-Related Disorders, Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, informed that Nam is a typical example of children suffering from stress and depression during the exam season.

Ths.BS Duong Minh Tam said that stress is a state of physical response (increased autonomic nervous system excitability) or psychological response (discomfort, stress, loss of control) to factors that cause stress. disturb the balance of the individual and overcome the individual’s ability to adapt.

Also according to Ths.BS Tam, in the year 2019-2020, they conducted a survey and research at the National Children’s Hospital with the object of being students aged 10-19 years old within 6 months.

The results showed that, 55.6% of children had psychological trauma (caused by academic pressure accounted for 20%, family pressure 20.5%, pressure from friends in school 8.9%) . Stress and depression are most common at the age of 14 and 17, which is consistent with the age of exam preparation.

In particular, Ths.BS Tam emphasized, stress is more common in well-behaved and well-educated children. During the examination, the doctors also found that the number of students from specialized schools and classes choosing to visit the clinic due to stress and tension was higher than students in normal schools. The doctor also received and examined many students at the school specializing in slitting their feet and hands with razors, sharp objects, etc., due to pressure and stress.

The reason was informed by the doctors, and the interview process showed that good, well-educated children are often more aware of pressure than their peers who are busy playing, especially invisible pressures that are difficult to explain.

“Invisible pressure is when children feel the wishes and hopes of their parents, teachers, and the wishes of others. From there, children impose on themselves. This is related to Vietnamese culture. For example, when having a son, parents often take on many responsibilities such as continuing the family line, the breadwinner, etc., the more pressure and stress children feel, the more stress they feel, “Ths.BS Tam emphasized.

Most students are under pressure and stress to varying degrees during the exam preparation stage, the exam period and after the exam.

Head of the Department of Treatment of Stress-Related Disorders, Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital also mentioned the pressures children face that cause them to stress during exam season.

Specifically, the pressure of studying and taking the exam (before and during the exam) due to the difficult curriculum and too much to learn. Students often make some mistakes like the closer they get to the “sprint” stage, the more they learn. The exhausting, trying to cram causes excessive stress and the student cannot absorb more. Post-exam stress is often related to exam results.

Children who experience pressure at school can be caused by complicated peer relationships, jealousy, and conflict. This leads to the risk of children abusing stimulants to solve problems.

Pressure from the family may be due to the lack of attention from parents and relatives. According to the doctor, there are parents who take their children to the doctor late. As a result, the child had a problem from 3, 5 years ago, but the parents did not find out. At the clinic, parents burst into tears, apologizing for not taking care of their children. On the contrary, too much attention, too great expectations are also invisible pressures on soldiers’ shoulders.

“Most people believe that the harmful stress response is something that should be avoided whenever possible. However, some daily stress is actually good for us and avoiding it can be harmful. It is a challenge that helps us to become more and more perfect and mature”, said Ths.BS Tam.

́Also according to Ths.Bs Tam, if you try to avoid stress or expect others to solve your problems, you won’t learn the skills you need to face life’s daily challenges. Over time, these things can make you feel helpless and often “stressed” so it takes skills to deal with stress.

From there, the doctor gave 5 R’s to reduce stress:

Recognition: Identifying causes and sources of stress, educating and raising awareness for children to overcome and adapt to stress

Relationships: Seeking help, support, reassurance.

Removal: Removes stressors and triggers.

Relaxation: Relaxation through techniques such as meditation, massage, breathing exercises, etc.

Re-engagement: Re-engagement through managed re-exposure.

Patient name has been changed

Ngoc Trang