Children Failing SNBT: Recognising Signs of Suppressed Stress

Not all children who fail the National Selection Based on Test (SNBT) express their emotions. They appear stoic, as if accepting the situation without much talk. Such unnaturally calm behaviour during this crisis requires extra attention from the family.

Suppressing sadness and pretending to be strong to avoid discomfort actually risks triggering psychosomatic issues and more serious mental health problems in the future.

In response, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologist Alida Shally Maulinda, M.Psi., Psikolog, warned that denial can manifest as a series of physical complaints.

‘Feeling disappointed is uncomfortable, the mind becomes overwhelmed, emotions are unsettled, and it often shows physically as headaches or insomnia,’ Alida said when contacted recently.

Rather than fading away naturally, suppressing emotions is like storing a time bomb ready to explode at any moment, potentially altering a child’s core personality.

A child’s condition worsens if parents respond with scolding or sarcasm.

Clinical Adult Psychologist Divani Aery Lovian, M.Psi., Psikolog, stressed that tense family interactions further push children to withdraw.

‘So the child may tend to isolate themselves, suppress feelings, avoid situations, and feel personally defeated,’ Divani said.

Children may set unrealistically high success standards to repay their parents’ disappointment and financial sacrifices.

‘It’s not uncommon for children to achieve success by any means necessary,’ Alida added.

At the extreme end, immense psychological pressure can stifle all a child’s potential due to fear of failing again.