14-year-old female student depressed due to pressure from 10th grade entrance exam - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television

After Tet, Van Anh's ( Hanoi ) schedule was packed, going to school in the morning, taking extra classes in the afternoon, and studying by herself until late at night. Many nights, when the clock struck 1 a.m., she was still awake, holding a pen and scribbling formulas.

The more she studied, the worse her academic performance became. Tests with comments like "needs improvement" and "not up to standard" made Van Anh confused.

The pressure weighed heavily every day, Van Anh gradually lost the habits she once loved such as drawing, listening to music or chatting with friends. She no longer wanted to eat, or only ate because she knew she had to. Her sleep was intermittent, she felt tired during the day, her mind was foggy. Sometimes she held a pen but could not write a single word, or she could read a paragraph for a long time without understanding it. Van Anh's mother noticed that her child was showing unusual signs so she took her to the doctor.

Doctor Dung gives health advice to people with depression. (Photo: Nhu Loan)

At Mai Huong Daytime Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Nguyen Khac Dung examined and said that the female patient showed signs of depression, caused by prolonged study pressure, lack of sleep, irregular eating and self-created psychological burden.

" This is a real illness, not 'weakness' or 'over-anxiety,'" said Dr. Dung.

When the brain is under prolonged stress, neurotransmitters such as serotonin and noradrenaline will be disrupted. This causes insomnia, loss of appetite, decreased ability to concentrate, and increased negative emotions. If not intervened promptly, the condition can progress to become more severe.

In Van Anh's case, the doctor did not advise her to drop out of school completely, but instead developed a comprehensive support plan, including medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments.

The female student was prescribed mild antidepressants, appropriate for her age. Along with that, the doctor recommended that Van Anh not study past 10:30 p.m., not use her phone before going to bed, and maintain a regular daily routine, even on weekends.

“Studying a lot does not mean studying well. Studying while exhausted only reduces efficiency and can even be harmful to your health.” Dr. Dung emphasized.

Adolescence is a critical period when a child's body undergoes hormonal and physiological changes. In many cases, suppressed and unexpressed emotions can lead to prolonged stress and depression.

This not only has immediate effects but also leaves long-term consequences, affecting the child's personality development and entire life, causing damage that cannot be completely cured.

Doctors recommend that families pay more attention to their children's feelings and thoughts. Families need to care, understand, patiently listen to their children's confidences and avoid imposing, which are practical ways to reduce pressure on children.

Parents also need to accompany them in studying, entertainment, controlling social networks and harmful information sources. At the same time, families need to recognize unusual signs early to intervene promptly, creating a safe environment for children by removing dangerous items such as drugs or sharp objects.

Doctor Nguyen Khac Dung advises that exams are important, but health is even more important. Getting enough sleep – Eating right – Resting properly are the three pillars of maintaining mental health. Lack of sleep reduces memory, concentration, and makes you susceptible to negative emotions.

Listen to your body and emotions, if you find yourself often sad, tired, sleepless, uninterested in everything, it could be an early sign of depression. Depression is a disease that needs to be treated properly. Good psychological recovery will help you be more steadfast in your studies and life.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nu-sinh-14-tuoi-tram-cam-vi-ap-luc-thi-vao-10-5044937.html