Exam Stress and Revision Overwhelm

Exam Stress and Revision Overwhelm: Therapy for Young People and Families

A gentle guide for navigating pressure, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing during exam season

Why Exams Feel So Overwhelming

For many young people, exams bring more than academic pressure, they stir up anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion. You might notice:

• Trouble sleeping or switching off

• Feeling irritable, withdrawn, or tearful

• Struggling to concentrate or retain information

• Physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, or panic

Parents often feel helpless, unsure how to support without adding pressure. The emotional toll can affect the whole family.

What’s Behind the Stress

Exam stress isn’t just about revision — it’s about identity, expectations, and fear of failure. Young people may believe:

• “If I don’t get top grades, I’ve failed.”

• “Everyone else is coping better than me.”

• “I have to do this alone.”

These beliefs can lead to chronic anxiety, burnout, and emotional disconnection, even in high-achieving students.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a space to:

• Explore anxiety and overwhelm with compassion

• Learn emotional regulation and stress-reduction strategies

• Reframe perfectionism and fear of failure

• Build confidence, self-trust, and realistic coping tools

I offer counselling online, by phone, or through walk-and-talk sessions in Manchester. Each format is designed to meet young people and families where they are, with warmth, clarity, and emotional safety.

Gentle Signs It’s Time to Reach Out

• Your child seems anxious, withdrawn, or overwhelmed

• Revision feels impossible or emotionally draining

• You’re unsure how to support without increasing pressure

• You both feel stuck in cycles of stress or avoidance

These are valid experiences. Therapy can help young people feel more grounded, supported, and emotionally equipped to face exams, and help parents feel more confident in how they support.

Ready to Begin?

If you’re curious about therapy or wondering whether it’s right for your child, I offer a warm, inclusive space to explore your needs. You’re welcome to email me directly at fee.therapymoments@gmail.com — I’ll respond with care and clarity.

You don’t have to navigate exam stress alone. Therapy can help you feel more connected, supported, and ready to face what’s ahead.