The FOMO Syndrome: Fear Of Missing Out

Nowadays we like to interact with others, both online and offline. With new information, technologies and social networks, the digital medium has become a new space for interaction. In this new digital world, the FOMO syndrome or the “fear of missing out” has arisen.

The main feature of FOMO syndrome is a social anxiety that, if we’re honest, has always existed: being excluded. It’s that bitter feeling that we’re missing out on something that others enjoy.

This feeling starts as a simple perception that grows and scares us to the point where we feel the need to always stay connected on our social media platforms just not to miss anything.

Knowing that our friends are going to do something more fun than what we previously planned makes us feel like we’re the ones losing something. It makes us feel that their lives are more interesting than ours.

Thanks to smartphones and the immediate proximity of social networks, these feelings of alertness and anxiety have become a regular companion in many people’s lives.

The cause of this phenomenon is the constant connection to social networks. New technologies have given this social anxiety new dimensions, requiring the analysis of sociologists, psychologists and even doctors. Let’s dig a little deeper into this.

So you can’t have fun yourself while others are too?

Imagine the following scenario. You decide to stay home on a Saturday night. You enjoy a good movie, a good book or a good conversation. Then you go on Facebook and you notice that many of your friends are doing fun things like traveling or dining at exclusive restaurants. If it makes you sad, you fall into the FOMO syndrome trap.

We’ve all worried at one time or another because we felt like we were missing something important. That’s completely normal. The problem arises when we feel like we can’t have fun (even though we do) just because other people are doing even more fun things right now.

We share the best parts of our lives on our social media accounts. These social platforms like Facebook and Instagram become overwhelming for some people.

We always want something we can’t have. Our anxiety increases significantly when the thought that something essential to our happiness mixes with the fear that we constantly feel that we are missing something important.

FOMO syndrome is becoming more common thanks to new technologies

We could say that the fear of missing out has always existed. But smartphones and the existence of social networks have changed it: a fundamental human motivation through our need to belong.

Being part of a group is an important factor in social identity and a key component in self-esteem. Therefore, social media networks play a fundamental role in the current relationships between individuals.

Thanks to new technologies, we are always aware of what others are doing. That’s why we always know what we’re missing. This is what really causes FOMO syndrome, which makes us feel anxious, left out and rejected.

According to a study, three in ten people between the ages of 13 and 34 have been a victim of FOMO syndrome at least once. That usually happens when they find out that their friends are doing exciting things without them. Has this ever happened to you?