Abstract: A cross-sectional study was done on students preparing for various competitive exams to get a deeper understanding on depression, anxiety and stress and their social aspects, to identify the various factors responsible for depression, anxiety, and stress and to identify the ill-effects of depression, stress, and anxiety on their health and daily life. It also helps to find the relatable factors in depression-like income, duration of sleep, social media, peer pressure, parental support, mentor’s support and their relation to the level of mental stress. Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It can happen at any age but often begins in adulthood. It is the age of biological and physiological changes and hence there is greater vulnerability and susceptibility. Depression is a common but serious illness that leaves candidates feeling despondent and helpless, completely detached from the world. Candidates may show symptoms like- feelings of sadness or unhappiness change in appetite or weight, slowed thinking or speech, loss of interest in activities or social gatherings, fatigue, feelings of guilt or anger over past failures. Among 400 participants, 19.5% were found to be in a mild depression, 20.3% in moderate depression and 8.8% were found to be severely depressed. 21.8% were found to be mildly anxious, 17.8% with moderate anxiety and 27.3 % with severe anxiety. 19% were mildly stressed, 14.8% were moderately stressed and 7.5 were having severe stress. Overall, depression management involves complete lifestyle change that requires a range of strategies and techniques. They include good eating habits, proper exercise, good family and social life, mood management and relaxation techniques. These allow the individual to reduce, avoid or cope with the negative emotions related to the condition and recognize the triggers and situations that lead to these negative emotions.
Keywords: depression, anxiety, genetic, biological, environmental, mental stress.
Title: Assessment of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Students Preparing for Various Competitive Exams
Author: Dr. Ashish Shrivastava, Dr. Don Rajan
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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