Yay! Exams are finished and it’s time to switch off, relax and have a good time for the Summer.  Or is it?

For some students the time between the end of their exams and results day can cause havoc on their stress system resulting in extreme anxiety and depression and low mood. Each year students take their life in this period. Why is this?

Firstly, let’s remind ourselves that we all view the same situation differently depending upon our own life experiences, culture, home life, peers etc. Ultimately the only two things that we have within our control are what we think and what we do. At this time of year, for some, this is where the problems start.

One thing that causes us anxiety is not knowing. For some this manifests as excitement (anticipating the unknown but with a positive expectation – “this is going to be fun”) but for others the unknown is filled with negative “what ifs”. Our brains are wired to focus on the negative scenarios that we may face; it’s part of our in built survival mode. However, what our brains don’t realise is that the unknown futures that we face do not involve us being chased by bears or hunted by other tribes folk.  Our teens are facing unknown exam grades that determine their futures.  As soon as they identify a ‘problem’ (i’ve failed, I won’t get the grades that I need….) their brains step in to try to help them. This activates a response in their lymbic system which readies them to survive the unknown. It does this by:

Raising their anxieties (elevating the heart rate, emptying the digestive system, increasing sweat) preparing them to run faster than they have ever ran before to escape the danger.

Creating anger to increase their strength to fight the imminent threat.

or, suppressing their responses putting them into a depressed state so that they can hide for days from the problem and survive.

But there is more; this brain is entirely negative in it’s thinking, often switching through the three default clauses mentioned above, looking for the worst case scenario. It then becomes obsessed with the problem, magnifying it and being unable to focus on anything else. This in turn creates more of a problem and the brain gets “stuck” in a negative spiral of thinking and behaviour.   Now, many would think that it is just a case of “snapping out of it”. It’s often not that easy. Whilst the negative lymbic brain is in control the rational intellectual mind is over ridden. The brain wants you to do as it says for your survival so prevents you from being able to rationalise the situation. In effect our intellect becomes impaired and in some cases shut down completely.

What compounds the problem is the drop in Serotonin that often occurs in tandem with the above. Until now the students have had a focus and a purpose. Something to work towards and focus on. Now that focus and purpose has gone. Seronotin is a positive neurotransmitter that allows us to feel good. It’s crucial for our mentally healthy behaviour. It is created through good diet and sleep and the inclusion of positive action, positive interaction and positive thinking. As we have seen above, if we are caught in the negative spiral then it becomes very difficult to maintain healthy levels of Serotonin. Those who have plans to do things (like go to festivals, get a job, join gym, spend time with friends) tend to fare much better than those who don’t!

I ask you to be mindful of how your teens are faring at this time. Many will be feeling the weight of the unknown and the expectations that they have placed upon themselves regarding their futures. And for the first time in their lives (maybe COVID will help as it’s possibly not the first time) there is absolutely nothing that they can do about it!

To support them:

Encourage them to think positively – focusing on what is good in each day.

Get out “doing” things

Find purpose in what they are doing

Spend time with friends

Relax doing the things that they enjoy

But most of all keep checking in with them and help them to manage their expectations of themselves and to enjoy their summer. I wish you and them all the very best. If they are struggling do get in touch and we can help to support them in preparation for their future.

Holly x