Competition and the rat race have put today’s children under a lot of pressure. No wonder then that cases of children suffering from stress, anxiety and depression, sometimes leading to suicidal thoughts, are increasing by the day.

Slight exam stress can help by keeping the mind alert and ready; it even helps concentrate better. A little anxiety helps to heighten awareness and can enhance performance too. Anxiety is a normal human feeling and can often serve as a good form of adrenaline. For instance,  butterflies in the stomach before making a speech, taking a test, or performing on stage is common and normal. Most often this vanishes the moment you are into your task. If the anxiety persists and becomes problematic, it is a good idea to seek assistance from the school counsellor or other professionals as such intense feelings will cause physical and mental strain.

Homoeopathy deals with such situations by responding to individual needs. There are some great ‘Exam Funk’ remedies such as Argentum Nitricum and Gelsemium, which help the individual to cope with the nervousness and apprehensiveness prior to exams. Also tissue salts such as Kalium sulph helps in better memory and concentration while Magnesium Phos helps in muscle tension during stress.

Children and young adults who are most prone to exam tension are:

*Students who put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform well.
*Students who have unusually high expectations for themselves.
*Children whose parents have a tendency to overstress or have their own anxiety issues.
*Children who have not been on a regular study programme and have begun studying just prior to the exam.
*Children from troubled or abusive households.

Common symptoms are:

*Physical tension where muscles can get so tight that it can be painful.
*Shaking of hands and legs and unable to control one's own body.
*Recurrent headaches.
*Nausea and bloating due to lack of exercise or tendency to eat a lot of junk food.
*Dry skin and dandruff.
*Sleep disorders as in not able to completely relax in sleep.
*Unusual constipation or diarrhoea due to diet irregularity and nervousness.

General solutions

*Relaxation.
*A full-night’s sleep.
*Monitoring of thinking patterns and positive atmosphere.
*Meeting a friend, playing a game, watching a movie or planning a treat after the exams are over to keep the spirits up.
*Paying attention to sleep, exercise, and healthy food before an exam as this can help better performance.
*Avoiding eating out for few weeks before the exams.
*Avoiding coffee and tea. It is a myth that they keep you awake — they only increase stress.
*Trying breathing exercises
*Taking long walks or bike rides to help release nervous energy and maintain stamina.
*Drinking lots of water

The author is a senior Physician, Soukya and can be contacted at 22214625/ 22218252 or
e-mail: sudha@soukya.com