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Stress over children's exams sends parents to psychiatrists

Psychiatrists have noticed a citywide trend among many parents whose children are appearing for HSC and SSC exams: sleepless nights, suffering from anxiety and depression, and quarrelling with each other. This exam season, psychiatrists are spending more time in counselling the parents of children appearing for exams, rather than the children themselves.

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Psychiatrists have noticed a citywide trend among many parents whose children are appearing for HSC and SSC exams: sleepless nights, suffering from anxiety and depression, and quarrelling with each other. This exam season, psychiatrists are spending more time in counselling the parents of children appearing for exams, rather than the children themselves.

Dr Vasant Mundra, consulting psychiatrist, PD Hinduja hospital said, "I am getting an increasing number of parents of board exam students complaining about stress and depression. If parents are stressed out, the child automatically suffers."

Dr Mundra gave the example of a couple whom he counselled because they were getting into fights. The reason was that the wife felt the husband was not paying enough attention to their child's studies. "Most of these parents complain of anxiety, sleepless nights etc," Dr. Mundra said. He told these parents that SSC and HSC are hyped, and that they should not focus so much on the child that their own needs are left unfulfilled.

Parents worried about their child's academic performance come to psychiatrists through the year. But the number peaks in the January-March period, as many parents relive their own exam fever through their children's exams.

Psychiatrists suggest that parents become more sensitive to their own psychological state as well as that of their child. During exam time, children may develop conversion disorder. It is a common yet seldom diagnosed disorder in children, said Dr Fabian Almeida, a well-known child psychiatrist. "In conversion disorder, anxiety is converted into a bodily complaint. Whether the child is faking the symptom or it is psychological can be found out by the psychiatrist during counselling," said Dr. Almeida. Doctors suggest that parents take care of themselves, the better to help the child facing the disorder.

It is also important for parents be empathetic while communicating with their children. "It is very important for parents to have two-way communication. Instead of being a dictator, parents should explain, and inform the child," said Dr Harish Shetty, senior psychiatrist at Dr LH Hiranandani hospital.

To deal with exam anxiety, doctors also suggest the need to devalue the importance of the exam, so as to put themselves and the child at ease. "Devaluing the exams helps. One should not lay stress on the exams being the key to a good career and future. This is a common mistake made by parents, which leads to anxiety among children," said Dr Mundra.

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