Parents warned over exams stress

Parents have been warned to pay extra attention to the emotional needs of teenagers stressed by exams.

As thousands of students prepare for the Junior and Leaving Certificate, experts revealed exam pressure is one of the top causes of anxiety in young people.

Paul Gilligan, chief executive at St Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin, urged adults to be supportive over the coming weeks and keep lines of communication open.

“The exam period can be a very tense and nerve-wracking time for young people and in some cases pressure from parents is one of the top causes of apprehension,” he said.

“It is important that parents are positive and put exams into perspective.

“It’s at this time of year we need to pay special attention to the emotional needs of our young people. Exam time is stressful but with the right attitudes and support every student can flourish.”

Studies have shown half of life-long mental health disorders start by the age of 14 and three quarters by the age of 24.

Most common behavioural changes at exam time include difficulty getting to sleep or waking up in the morning, constant tiredness, forgetfulness, unexplained aches and pains, poor appetite and migraines or headaches.

St Patrick’s, Ireland’s largest independent mental health service provider, wants parents to avoid minimising the importance of an exam by stating the Leaving Certificate “isn’t everything” – as it is for the young person right now.

Colman Noctor, adolescent clinical nurse manager, said building up a young person’s confidence and self-esteem is key to helping a student understand that anxiety is normal.

“It is important to focus on the effort involved in exam preparation rather then the outcome, emphasising that the outcome is secondary to their hard work,” he added.

“If you feel that your effort and application is valued, you will feel believed in and this can sustain you through the difficult exam period and subsequent summer awaiting results.”