Aaria Varma's new podcast offers expert advice on ADHD and anxiety for teen listeners

Teenage years can be scary Growing up in a changing world with mental and physical changes can often leave kids irritable confused and scared But there is more to these catalytic years than just selfconfidence For Aaria Varma they arrived in the form of a range of issues from dyslexia Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD and peer pressure ldquoThere are many such problems teenagers face but few tools available to navigate themrdquo she saysYoga and meditation can help teens calm down before examsFacing problems head onThe main issue Varma notes is that few people understood her perspective ldquoThere were multiple moments actually when I would face a panic attack or ADHD would strike But it was difficult to speak to someone who understood itrdquo she recalls A student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School Varma admits she was fortunate enough to have a school counsellor who helped her with the problem ldquoI would visit the counsellor every day talk about these things and understand what they mean Through these conversations I realised there are more children and friends who need someone to ask questions from their perspectiverdquo Varma saysAaria Varma in a moment from the first episode of the podcastHer new platform ZenZ is a step in that direction A simple podcast the venture features the teenager taking on subjects such as exam fear panic attacks ADHD and dyslexia by reaching out to experts and asking them questions that teenagers want answers to ldquoI want to support others who are in a similar situation and create a safe space for teenagers where they feel understood and less alonerdquo she says The idea began in November 2023 and was followed up with research and conversations by Varma before she finally went ahead with the podcastA friend in needOne of her main sources of research were her friends Her first episode released on July 7 deals with exam stress To answer her questions she reached out to Dr Ridhi Joshi Patel a parenting counsellor and therapist from Bengaluru for a conversation ldquoExam stress is quite big in my school in every school actually I am lucky to have a good group of friends who talk about everything Some of us could not sleep at all for a week ahead of these testsrdquo she says So the questions to Dr Patel emerged from a space of personal experience Her next episode will focus on social media and their effects on teenage life with Dr Zirak Marker another child counsellor stepping into the hotseat The multipronged approachBut arenrsquot there enough podcasts that offer an insight into teen issues we wonder Varma admits as much but informs us that ZenZ will have a multipronged approach ldquoThe first aspect is a deep understanding that helps you gain the tools and understand the nature of these problems The second is an approach on how to deal with these issuesrdquo Varma says For instance while yoga is often recommended as a great way to combat stress during exams it is hard to get a teenager to focus for one hour ldquoSo I chose to undergo a yoga training course to help chart out fiveminute exercises that I could share with friends onlinerdquo she remarksIt is not all about the teenagers though ldquoI also wanted to help parents understand the issues faced by their children and that it is beyond simple tantrumsrdquo she says For now the project is selffunded with her parents acting as backers but she has larger ambitions ldquoIf I donrsquot take up this initiative who will Who else can understand a teenagerrsquos mind better than another teenagerrdquo she concludesLog on to ZenZ on YouTubeWhat the experts sayI did not know Aaria from before but when she reached out I had to say yes As a child psychologist I want young adults spreading messages about child mental health A lot of youngsters stay in denial that it does not happen to them There is awareness but a very Instagramleaning one I work with children before they appear for NEET exams and JEE I am well acquainted with the pressures they face My job is to help parents and children understand and learn how to accept or support when they face an issueQuick solutionsgtgt There is a difference between stress and nervousness When parents notice a change in the sleep food or behavioural patterns of teenagers they need to step ingtgt Give them space to talk Sometimes that is all the children needgtgt Acceptance and acknowledgement is a very important part of the processInformation courtesy Ridhi Doshi Patel