Likemia

Social media has made us constantly seek validation from outside ourselves? Is it worth it?

- Babita Chopra

A new type of disease has developed, which is affecting this generation to a large extent. Like Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood and is dangerous, this disease is dangerous too! Youngsters are commonly affected by this, but it is now being detected in elders too. This disease makes a person feel worthless and causes depression in people it affects. Its name is 'Likemia'!!

Almost everyone on social media is infected with this disease. One of the first things that people suffering from 'Likemia' do is, in the mornings, the moment they get up, they check their social feed to see the number of likes, check the notification tab, check how many have liked or commented on their post, etc. Another symptom of 'Likemia' is the need to be in the spotlight at all times. It's an addictive disease. If enough likes are not received, the condition of the patient worsens.

The effect of this disease became even more obvious when I met my friend recently. When I was scrolling down Instagram, I saw a pretty photo of her posing on a sofa. I liked and commented on that snap of hers. The next day, I happened to meet her. I was about to compliment her, but she seemed very disturbed. The moment I asked her, she started sobbing and shared, “I am in depression. My marriage is falling apart. I don't feel getting out of my bed or meeting anyone. I feel so dejected!”