NEET UG examinees mental trauma: Why you must watch out for panic attacks, doom scrolling and insomnia

Many NEET UG examinees like Shreya have been plunged into trauma, depression, disorientation and are suffering serious mental health issues, with many of them questioning their self-worth and even reporting behavioural and physical problems that they never had. For example, Sara has lost her appetite and, conditioned to stay awake from midnight to 3 am, cannot sleep, negative emotions welling up inside her. Archana, a student of Greater Noida, has taken to doom-scrolling — reading negative news on social media — thinking processing them will lessen her trauma. Meanwhile, the once calm Archana is now given to bouts of short temper and irritability. “I take offence at arbitrary comments. I have no interest in improving myself because it feels pointless. Even after working so hard for years, I haven’t gotten any results.”

Dr Kamna Chibber, HOD, Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare, gets a lot of students who suffer entrance exam anxiety, primarily when their results are not what they expected. “NEET students are now worrying about a re-test. Will their previous attempt count or not? Will the admission process be affected? Despondency, insomnia and self-isolation are common,” she says.

HOW TO GET OUT OF THE TROUGH

Dr Chibber calls for family and friends to rally around and follow a few protocols

1) Students should focus on aspects that are in their control instead of dwelling on hypothetical situations and idle chatter. For example, if a re-test is unavoidable, look at it as another test that you would have to take later in life and it won’t seem as challenging.

2) Parents must redirect students’ attention to use this gap as an opportunity for self-improvement. Motivate your child to go about their daily routine, meet people, practise a hobby or get outdoors.

Dr Achal Bhagat, psychiatrist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, says addressing stress is most important. His suggestions:

1) Address the stress because if left unchecked, it can precipitate other psychiatric disorders. Feelings of helplessness, low mood, intrusive thoughts could be symptoms of depression whereas increased heart rates, overthinking, sweating profusely could be signs of anxiety.

2) Develop a plan B or C in every situation in life so that you do not collapse in a thud with a single-goal chase. Reach out and interact with your peers.

Sara has already turned to journaling and is discussing solutions with other NEET 2024 examinees in an informal support group. “Students can rely on each other because we understand each other’s disappointments on a personal level and find a way to get ahead,” she says.