The short explanation
Preparing for a demanding exam for the third time, with family expectations and friends moving ahead, is a heavy emotional load. Feeling that everything is pointless at times is understandable, but if that feeling is frequent, or comes with low mood most days, loss of interest, poor sleep or hopelessness, it may be depression and is worth talking about with a doctor or counsellor. Some aspirants find it helps to set a fixed routine with time for rest and exercise, stay connected with a few supportive people, and think through a backup plan, which can reduce pressure rather than weaken commitment. Counselling can help with both exam stress and feelings of failure.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Long preparation periods often bring isolation, money worries and loss of identity. These can lower mood over time.
- Thoughts that life is not worth living are not a normal part of exam stress and need help soon.
- Tele-MANAS on 14416 is free, confidential and available in Hindi and other languages.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether your feelings are exam stress or depression. A counsellor or doctor who talks with you can judge that.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Is what I feel exam stress or depression?
- Can counselling fit around my study schedule?
- How can I talk to my family about the pressure?
- What can I do to protect my mood during preparation?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have thoughts of ending your life, have harmed yourself, or feel you cannot keep yourself safe right now.
Get help the same day
- Get help the same day if the feeling that everything is pointless comes with thoughts of ending your life.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor or counsellor within a few days if low mood lasts most days. You can also call Tele-MANAS on 14416, the free national mental-health helpline, which answers in many Indian languages.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine counselling appointment to work on stress during preparation.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Depression MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Stress MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Depression in adults NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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