Arjun, a 19-year-old in Lucknow, has to choose his college course. He wants to study dance but is also drawn to psychology, and he cannot decide. He keeps telling himself, 'I must do everything perfectly', and pushes himself towards very high marks. When his entrance scores came out low, he felt his goal of a good college seat was blocked. Now he worries all day and feels anxious, and he notices that this worry itself makes him feel more stressed. Last month his family also moved into a new house in another part of the city.
Arjun's difficulty in choosing a course and his wish to be perfect belong to which type of stress?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Psychological stress, as it is internal and unique to him
Option (1) Physical stress, as it changes the state of his body — Incorrect. Physical stresses are demands that change the state of the body, such as overexertion or lack of sleep. Arjun's choice and his belief are thoughts.
Option (2) Environmental stress, as it comes from unavoidable surroundings — Incorrect. Environmental stresses are aspects of our surroundings, such as noise or crowding. Arjun's difficulty does not arise from his surroundings.
Option (3) Social stress, as it is induced externally by other people — Incorrect. Social stresses come from interaction with other people, such as trouble with neighbours. No one else is pushing Arjun here; the pressure comes from his own mind.
Option (4) Psychological stress, as it is internal and unique to him — Correct. Psychological stresses are generated in our own minds; they are personal, unique and internal. Conflict and internal pressure, both seen in Arjun, are among their sources.
NCERT (2026-27): “Psychological Stress |