Divya sits in front of the laptop and stares at it while having lost in thoughts

A loud sound is heard from the balcony and she runs over there. She finds a rock with a paper. Being a curious cat which she is always she opens the paper to read it.

"Get back to work, you're punishment (hiatus) is done now"

She squealed and ran around. She reached the office room to see it was empty. The empty papers were lying around and the banner was rolled up. She looked at the room sadly while bending her head down.

A hand on her shoulder and she turns around to see Zubi behind her. Divya blinked her eyes with tears and Zubi wiped them.

Zubi : Don't worry we will do this together now!

Divya nodded and both of them sat down to clean all the mess.

Divya : Ahhhhh! Eww it's a cockroach. I hate it.

Divya was shivering, she was trying to control herself. Zubi rushed to her and threw that cockroach away.

Zubi : Divi, are you okay?

Divya : I.. I.. Have a fear of cockroaches

Zubi : Shh shh.. It's okay, it's gone now don't worry.

Divya breathes in and breathes out slowly trying to calm herself down.

Zubi : Divi, how about we take "most common phobias in teens" for our come back update?

Divya : Woah! That's perfect akka. We can do this.

Both of them sat down to paint the banner for the show.

Divya : Greetings everyone, Welcome to Low Budget Ted Talks *banner rolls down showing the topic* This is Divya!

Zubi : Aubi nd this is Zubi!

Divya : We're your not so boring hosts for today.

Zubi : Well, bear with us while standing for the show today, our manager couldn't provide chairs!

Divya : Told you we are on low budget!

Zubi : But don't worry, we'll do better next time.

Divya : Okay so back to our topic, wait don't tell me I didn't even introduce the topic. Oh god!

Zubi : Calm down Divi, Our topic for today is *both of them show their hands towards the banner*

Zubi and Divya : Phobias

Divya : Phobias which are commonly found in Teens these days.

Zubi : Firstly, let us get to know what exactly are these phobias?

Divya : A phobia is an anxiety disorder defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. Phobias typically result in a rapid onset of fear and are usually present for more than six months.

This is a basic definition you will get if you google what is phobia, well lets simplify it Phobias are an ongoing intense fear or anxiety of a certain object, animal, activity, or setting that poses little to no actual danger.

These phobias maybe temporary as we grow some might go away,but in few cases they increase as we grow. Today we are going to talk in general about what are the common phobias we teens face along with how to make them your strength or how to overcome them.

Zubi : As a teenager, me myself, i know we face a lot of challenges and self doubts and this phobias is like an unwanted cherry on top which no one wants. So let's discuss some of them which is common among us. Let me start with the first one :

Social Anxiety or Social Phobia, What comes into your mind when you hear the word Social?

Divya : Something related to the society?

Zubi : Yes divi, you are right! We all do get nervous when we have to give presentation or a speech in front of large group of people right? But in the case of Social Phobia everyday interactions cause anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment because you fear being scrutinized or judged negatively by others.

Divya : Oh, so how do one get to know that they have social anxiety?

Zubi : Fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively or they would be noticed by someone that they are feeling anxious, expectation of the worst possible consequences from a negative experience, also situations where they would be center of attraction.

Divya : I see, Most of the people who face negative experiences like bullying,rejection,teasing or a family conflict etc are prone to this. This might be due to heredity also

Zubi : Yes Divi, now Divi will talk about next one

Divya : Body Dysmorphic Phobia is what we would be talking about. Usually people with this phobia tend to body shame themselves, which they can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance - a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations.

Zubi : In most of the cases, this root cause starts from some judgmental comments on their body. They usually are extremely preoccupied with a perceived flaw in appearance that to others can't be seen or appears minor. They believe that others take special notice of their appearance in a negative way or mock them.

Divya : However, to all the bullies and judgemental comment passers out there, remember your words are going to haunt someone tonight and make them sleepless and build a phobia in their minds. You are just making them feel more insecure and uncomfortable. None of us, I repeat none of us have a right to judge someone because we got the eyes to see them and a mouth to talk whatever we wish. It would be great if we all would mind our own business rather than snatching peace from other's lives. Live in peace let others live in peace too. Build a society where our future generations can live in peace and harmony but not with lots and lots of insecurities and phobias.

Zubi : What Divi said is absolutely true, doesn't she deserve an applause for a long speech well not so long hehe

*applause amongst the audience*

Zubi : Now, let's talk about Monophobia also known as Autophobia.

Divya : Akka, mono means one right?

Zubi : Right Divi, and this phobia is also about being alone or feeling lonely. A person is said to have this phobia if their fear of being alone is severe enough that it interferes with their daily functioning.

These people even when they feel there is no threat they feel a desperate need to end their solitude.

Divya : What might be the reasons for this akka?

Zubi : Maybe because they lost someone very dear, feeling isolated or ignored, experiencing danger when they are alone, loneliness etc. They feel dizziness, fainting, or nausea while alone, •Experiencing intense anxiety that's out of proportion with their situation
• Feeling apprehensive when thinking about being alone.
• Feeling secluded or ignored even while in a group or crowd of people
• Going to great lengths to avoid being isolated
• Increased heartbeat, tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing while alone
Panic attacks

Divya : They might not show it, but when you observe someone feeling discomfort for being alone anywhere just be there for them. That would be a great help! Now lets talk about next phobia atychiphobia : The fear of failure.

The fear of failure may affect people in a variety of ways, which means that it's not always easy to identify.

Zubi : Oh no, then how do we get to know about it Divi?

Divya : Well, the people who have this phobia believe that they don't have skills to achieve things, they feel they won't be achieve their goals, they tell people that they might fail because that would keep the expectations low.

People who experienced a difficult or even traumatic failure may also be very afraid of repeating that experience in the future. Having a panic attack during a presentation or being ridiculed for your performance, for example, could contribute to feelings of fear. Negative consequences resulting from failure, such as losing a job or not getting into a college, can also be risk factors that contribute to the fear of failure.

Zubi : That's really bad! More power to all those who have this phobia, hope you all overcome it soon. Now, let's move on to next phobia Philophobia : Fear of falling in love

Divya : If you all are shocked thinking that is there a phobia for falling in love too? Then yes we do have a phobia for falling in love too.

Zubi : Reason can be anything for this, we can't give a exact reason for this but Most of the time it betrayal or childhood trauma. Now how will this effect you?

Well this phobia make sure you don't trust anyone in form of love worst part is this will make you push all your love's ones away in fear of losing them that what if they will also leave me I can't afford to love someone I don't deserve them, this thoughts will always surround your mind.

A person with philophobia may avoid any situations where they might feel love.

Divya : Now, though there are many more phobias yet to cover we'll end today's session with this phobia which is
Proditiophobia : Fear of betrayal.

Imagine there is some xyz person and they waited the whole day to meet some pyq person who is their best friend/the person who xyz is going to share their life with and when they finally go there to meet something unexpected happens which makes xyz lose trust on pyq. Though xyz tries to move on the thought experiencing it again with another person makes it difficult for xyz to stop thinking about that everytime they meet anyone or anyone whom they feel they are trying to trust.

Zubi : Now, having talked about a few phobias let's talk about how to turn our phobias into our strengths.

Mediation:- when I say breathing is best way keep yourself calm then I mean it, doing mediation will keep yourself calm and will help you to cope with panic attack just 10 minutes breathing and walk in fresh air in morning/evening will help you alot.

Taking Proffesional help:- Phobias are no jokes, sometimes it causes people life so make sure you take doctors help, and yes don't feel ashame ever taking medical help, your mental health is as important as your physical health.

Do the things you love:- If this phobia is fear of something, doing something you love will help you be happy and calm this can be any hobby like cycling, painting, cooking, playing with children (if you love children) playing with your pets anything that made you laugh out.

Avoid the situation which trigger you:- As you know what cause your phobia, it better if you avoid the situation and this will not cause your phobia to tigger.

Face your fear:- Hmm? you are fine right? Just now you advice us to avoid the the situation that tigger us and now you are telling to face our fear? Yes Because avoiding your fear is temporary solution and if you want a permanent solution then, you need to face your fear, your phobia. I am not saying you to directly face it you May get panick attack if you directly do that what tigger you. But just how a baby learn to walk step by step you too need over come it step by step no matter what your fear is. Before doing it, it's better to talk to your therapist and then try it. Don't take risks for this you never know how much this is going to affect. Before it goes out of hand don't be ashamed to visit a professional!

Have a positive mindset:- Altogether this phobias/fear is game of your mind. Something happened in past that have a permanent mark in your memory, that turn into phobia, no one can help you if you are not willing to help yourself, so try to keep positive mindset, I know this will double your negative thoughts and whenever you try to think positive negative thoughts will come more, but hay!!! remember this is battle between you and your phobia you can't lose it just be kind to yourself. Take your own time and take baby steps, yet again DO NOT DO SOMETHING WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE THAT MIGHT RESULT MORE OF HARM TO YOURSELF.

Divya : Now, that's all for today. I can't wait to go and watch Encanto yet again if you're going to call me a kid for it I don't mind being called as a kid lol 🤣

Zubi : Thank you for being a great audience. Now adios! Have a great weekend ahead in advance! Cyaaa people Zubi and Divi signing off.

*the curtain rolls down*

Credits : zubi_ame
Sakshidevi712

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