From Two Lines to Collapse: Dilinea and Cass – The Language of Tokophobia

This episode of Tik-Tokophobia is a truly groundbreaking one. Alexia and JJ make history by naming two central — but until now, unnamed — experiences of living with tokophobia and Reproductive Anxiety Disorder (RAD).

If you’ve ever struggled to find the words to describe what it’s actually like to face the gut-punch of a pregnancy test, or the collapse that can follow, you’ll find this conversation both validating and empowering.

Drawing on personal stories, client experiences, and a touch of Douglas Adams-inspired word-creation, this episode is about reclaiming language — and with it, our power to heal.

Key Discussion Points:
• The urgent need for language: why “panic attack” and “burnout” have cultural weight, but tokophobia’s most visceral moments have stayed nameless — until now
• The origin of “dilina” and “cass”: how Alexia and JJ developed new words to describe the fork-in-the-road realisation (dilinia) and the breaking, collapse, or gut-punch of reproductive anxiety (cass)
• Personal stories: both hosts share their “two lines moment”, the intense emotions that followed, and how not having words made it harder to seek support or even acknowledge what was happening
• The power of naming: how putting words to these hidden experiences can help you move out of isolation, seek understanding, and finally begin to heal
• The messy reality of reproductive anxiety: why every woman’s journey is different, and why some might only relate to one of these moments — or both
• Why tokophobia is nothing like a classic phobia (e.g., spiders, flying) and why the current definitions are failing women
• Why creating new language isn’t just a creative exercise — it’s an act of collective validation and community care
• Stories from listeners and clients who immediately recognised themselves in “dilinia” and “cass” — proving just how needed this conversation is
• A call to share: listeners are invited to talk about their own moments, using these new words, so fewer women feel alone or “broken”

This Episode Is For You If…

• You’ve experienced overwhelming fear or dread of pregnancy, birth, or even the idea of motherhood — and found it impossible to explain to anyone else

• You’ve ever felt an internal “break” or collapse, but had no words for it

• You’re a professional, loved one, or partner trying to understand what tokophobia or reproductive anxiety actually feels like from the inside

• You want real language — not platitudes — to talk about your mental health, advocate for care, or find support

• You’re craving a sense of normalcy and community; to know that you’re not alone, not “crazy,” and that healing is possible

Outcome:
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what it means to live with reproductive anxiety, two new words (“dilinia” and “cass”) to help you speak about your experience, and a reminder that having language is the first step to healing and support.

If you’re tired of feeling unseen, unheard, or misunderstood — this one’s for you.

— If this resonates, please share the episode or reach out to us with your dilinia or cass moment.

Find more support, free resources, and our foundational white papers (“Fear Sells...” and “The Case for Reproductive Anxiety Disorder”) at www.tik-tokophobia.com