Depressed teens - how's yours coping with the exams?

[plantlady]

Just wondering how depressed teens (and their parents) are coping with the exams. Thought it might be good to share stories as it's tough for us parents having to support our DC. My DS is taking his AS exams. depression was nearly under control but went down hill prior to the exams and has got a lot worse last few days. Isn't able to revise but is somehow managing to sit the exam and produce some work. Really negative thoughts. So hard to know how to help him. just want to give him a big hug but he doesn't want to be touched. How are you all coping?

We're not coping. DS has refused to sit his exams, decided to repeat the year. On top of that. just found out he's smoking cannabis, I'm sat here in tears

Poor you cannabis a worry but resitting the year probably the best, takes the pressure off. Wish mine would choose that but doesn't want to as wants to stay with friends and so is sitting exams in hope that gets through to year13. Will probably mean poor grades and a struggle to get into uni. Exams pressure definitely having adverse effect on DS.

Not alone. My DD is 17 and has two more A levels to go and has about 8 assessments to finish but the stress has really got to her. She's had a mini breakdown at school which resulted in the TLC team referring her to the Adult Mental Health team. We've had lots of tears here and she's been extremely depressed, no motivation to do anything but I'm literally hand holding her through the days and hoping we can get through the whole lot without further breakdown.

Half term next week which is good, a break from the pressure for a few days.