FOMO is the acronym of the English expression "fear of missing out", which in Portuguese means something like "fear of being left out", and which is characterized by a constant need to know what other people are doing, associated to feelings of envy, fear of missing an update, party or event.
People who have FOMO end up, therefore, having a constant need to update themselves on social networks, such as Facebook , Instagram , Twitter or Youtube , for example, even in the middle of the night, at work or during meals and socializing with other people.
All of these behaviors are the result of the anguish caused by the insecurity of living offline and can generate anxiety, stress, bad mood, discomfort or even depression.
What symptoms
Some of the characteristic symptoms of people with FOMO are:
- Dedicate a lot of time to social networks such as Facebook , Instagram or Twitter , constantly updating the news feed ; Accepting proposals for all parties and events, for fear of losing something or feeling excluded; Using your smartphone all the time, even during meals, while working or driving; Not living in the moment and worrying about photographs to post on social networks; Feeling jealous and inferior, making frequent comparisons with other people on social networks; Being often in a bad mood, with easy irritability and preferring to be alone.
In some cases, FOMO can even result in cases of anxiety and even depression. Find out your anxiety level through our online test.
Possible causes
The possible causes that may be at the origin of FOMO are the fact that the relationship of people with technology is still very recent and overuse the cell phone and the internet.
FOMO is most common between 16 and 36 years old, which is the age period when social networks are most used.
What to do to avoid FOMO
Some strategies that can be adopted to avoid FOMO consist of: living the moments instead of posting them on social networks; prioritize the people around you; reduce the use of smartphones, tablets , computers or any other device with internet; understand that people who post content on the internet do not have perfect lives and that they choose the best moments for their social networks.
If necessary, and if the person is suffering from anxiety or being unwell because of FOMO, it is advisable to consult a psychologist.
