Post intermediate results, cases of depression rise in Telangana

Apart from a steep jump in student suicides, the inter result fiasco has also led to a drastic rise in cases of severe depression among students say city psychiatrists and psychologists.
TOI spoke to at least five such doctors who said that they have been receiving up to four cases every day-—mostly students from corporate colleges. While many of these students, the doctors say, were brought in for acting aloof, not eating, with some also attempting suicide or writing suicide notes. Alarmingly, it is not just the students who have scored lower than expected marks, but even high scorers (90 to 98 per cent) who are among those seeking professional help.

While there is a marked jump in cases this year as compared to previous years, experts say that an increase in awareness (which has led to identification), high expectations, as well as ‘role modelling’ (more talk about suicides due to failure, which leads the child to believe it is normal behaviour to get rid of pain) are reasons for taking the extreme step.
In fact, cases started pouring in a few days before results and experts say that unrealistic and high expectations is to be blamed. “Each year before exams, during exams and after results there is an increase in cases, but this year the numbers are much higher,” said Dr. Minhaj Nasirabadi, secretary, Hyderabad Psychiatric Society.
While experts have equated the student suicides to a chain reaction—very similar to that of farmer suicides reported during previous years—many with ‘suicide intent’ were identified by parents. “In the last one week alone, I have seen four cases of inter students who had suicidal tendencies,” said Dr K Srinivas, consultant neuro psychiatrist, Maxcure Hospitals.
Students visiting psychiatrists and psychologists range from those acting aloof, crying continuously and not eating to ones who have attempted suicide or have written a suicide note.
Disillusionment after scoring high marks is common as well. “This is especially true for students from corporate colleges where they follow a 12-14 hours study routine. Beginning their day at 6.30 am and ending at 7.30 pm. They hardly get a chance to see the sun. Although they might score well, their stress levels are so high that they slip into depression,” said Dr Samhita Sharma, consultant psychiatrist.