INTRODUCTION Medical education has been found to be stressful, and residency training may make it even more so because of increased expectations, demands and responsibilities. One-fourth to one-third of residents may have clinical depression during their training, according to several studies. Research shows that depression affects one-fourth to one-third of doctors undergoing postgraduate study, and that the suicide incidence among doctors is 1.4–2.3 times greater than that of the general population. It has been stated that medical students failed to get the proper assistance when they needed it for mental health issues. METHODS It is a cross-sectional, observational study. Objectives were to determine prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in postgraduate students of Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar. To study correlation with sociodemographic and other variables as specified in semi structured proforma. RESULTS 47.9% of the students had stress, 54.9% depression and 60.4% anxiety of various severities. Stress showed statistically significant correlation with students of age 26-30 years with medical morbidities. Anxiety was slightly higher in women participants. There was significant correlation of depression with medical comorbidity. Also, significant correlation was established between stress, depression and anxiety with dissatisfactory department treatment and peer support. CONCLUSION The present study concluded that a high level of stress, anxiety and depression is seen in postgraduate medical students. The study further concluded that there are various factors which can affect the level of stress, anxiety and depression. This requires intervention in terms of identifying stressors and encouraging medical postgraduates to seek help as required.

Anxiety, stress, depression, postgraduate medical students, DASS-21.