Exam stress or something more?
Stress before an exam is normal. Worry, low mood or withdrawal that lasts two weeks or more, or that affects sleep and daily life, is a sign to talk to someone.
Last updated 2 November 2026
Signs to look for
- constant worry about marks, ranks or results
- low mood, or losing interest in things you enjoyed
- sleep that has gone wrong
- pulling away from friends and family
- trouble concentrating even when you try
- feeling worthless after a bad result
If you are a student
You do not have to wait until it gets worse. You can talk to a psychiatrist or therapist online, alone or with a parent, in your own language.
If you are a parent
Signs parents notice first are changes in sleep, appetite, temper or marks, and a child who has stopped talking about the future. Ask calmly, without comparing with others, and book a consultation if the change lasts two weeks or more.
If someone is in danger
If a student is thinking about ending their life or hurting themselves, call Tele-MANAS on 14416 (free, any hour) or 112 now. Mindly Health is not an emergency service.
What to do next
Mindly has a page for student mental health and a guide on student mental health conditions. If you are unsure whether it is stress or anxiety, read is it anxiety or stress. Students in coaching and college hubs can see a psychiatrist online from Kota, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi or anywhere in India.
How to start
- Call or message us. Reach us on +91 90352 54779 or WhatsApp. Tell us your language and a convenient time.
- Free pre-consultation call. Our team takes your history and prepares a report for your clinician, so you do not repeat yourself.
- Video session. You meet your allotted clinician online, from home or wherever you feel comfortable.
- Your plan. The clinician explains what they find and the next steps. You decide together.
Book your free pre-consultation call
Your privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
Is exam anxiety treatable?
Yes. Exam anxiety responds well to treatment, and CBT helps many students. A psychiatrist can assess whether it is exam stress or something more.
Can parents attend?
Yes, if the student is comfortable. Many families begin with a joint first session.
Related
- For students and parents
- Student mental health
- School refusal
- How to support someone who feels hopeless
- Trouble sleeping: when does it need help?
- Baby blues or postpartum depression?
Sources
Mindly Health is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.