Depression, anxiety, and stress among the 1st year medical students in Kanchipuram District

ABSTRACT

Background: Medical education is a full-time commitment and responsibility of students that include academic assignments, activities, social behavior, support, and patient care. The health of students around the world is becoming a major concern as they are more prone to depression, stress. Aim and Objective: This study aims to assess the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress in the Ist year medical students. Materials and Methods: The DASS 42 questionnaire was used to study stress, depression, and anxiety. The DASS is a 42-point questionnaire containing three self-report scales designed to measure the negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress. Results: It was found that 16%, 25%, and 27% of medical students were affected by mild symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. About 11%, 12%, and 4% of medical students with moderate depression, anxiety, and stress; 12%, 4%, and 3% of medical students with severe depression, anxiety, and stress; and 3%, 4%, and 1% of medical students suffered from extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: In our study, emotional distress is common medical students and attention, support, and personalized counseling are compulsory for the students.