Exam Stress and Adolescent Depression: Rachel’s Journey
At just seventeen, Rachel had always been a high‑achieving student, setting exceptionally high standards for herself. Yet, in the six months before her public examinations, she became increasingly overwhelmed by the fear of not reaching her goals. Gradually, her emotional wellbeing declined. As the academic pressure intensified, she began to experience insomnia, loss of appetite, and a significant drop in concentration and study efficiency.