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Fear of not keeping up with what’s happening and missing out on something important is called the FOMO syndrome in psychology. It’s a state in which people feel they’re losing out on opportunities. When they experience it, they constantly believe their life is dull and uninteresting.
They notice that everyone else’s life seems to be full of excitement, except theirs. Everyone else is traveling, making good money, hitting million-dollar jackpots at the best casinos, and enjoying every day. Everyone, that is, except them. This is the unspoken motto of people who have experienced the fear of missing out.
What Is FOMO?
The first sign of this syndrome is a sense of complete worthlessness. Scrolling through photos and videos on social media, people feel as though all the most interesting things are passing them by.
This feeling forces them to compare themselves with others. That’s how self-confidence and self-worth begin to erode. Needless to say, this shift changes both people’s thoughts and their behavior.
In psychology, FOMO is described as an obsessive and irrational fear of missing a chance to improve one’s quality of life. It’s a persistent sense that you may fail to make use of experiences and resources.
This syndrome brings feelings of envy and heightened anxiety. People genuinely believe they are missing out on important events. Sometimes, this state can escalate into mania. They increasingly feel lonely and cut off from a bright, alluring world.
The concept was first introduced by Patrick McGinnis. In a student newspaper, he described the nature and symptoms of this psychological phenomenon, based on his own observations and experiences. He later wrote a book explaining that social media is not the only factor triggering this condition. FOMO runs much deeper.
Does Everyone Experience FOMO?
To some degree, many people live with it. If they feel inferior to others and attend events only out of fear of missing something important, then FOMO is at play. Psychologists also draw the same conclusion about people who constantly follow others, feel envy, and lose sight of the value of what they already have.
It’s not easy to admit you have FOMO, but it is possible.
Key signs include:
- Dependence on social media and smartphones. It becomes hard to take your eyes off the screen. FOMO pulls you into an endless stream of information, creating a constant urge to stay connected and in the center of things.
- Fear of missing out on something important or valuable, such as a meeting or an event.
- A constant need to be seen — attending parties and social gatherings just to stay visible.
- The need for approval and recognition from society.
- Frequent comparisons of wealth, appearance, or lifestyle with those shown by others.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Everyone is susceptible to FOMO, but certain groups are more vulnerable:
- Those deeply dissatisfied with their lives, who bury their heads in the sand and run away from their problems.
- Passive social media users who spend their time observing idols and influencers.
This condition can be considered a modern-day illness. When it becomes overwhelming, people often seek professional help.
How to Recognize FOMO
You can identify it through the following signs:
- The feeling that friends are having fun without you, and you’re missing out on exciting opportunities.
- Comparing yourself with bloggers, acquaintances, or friends who flaunt luxury on social media.
- Constant doubt and anxiety.
- Fear of putting your phone down, in case you miss an important message or invitation.
Psychologists began actively studying FOMO in 2013. Statistics suggest that 56% of people experience it, with men being more prone on average.
Why FOMO Appears
Greed, envy, and a sense of injustice have existed for centuries. In the past, people could only observe their neighbors’ lives, but with digitalization, it became possible to follow countless others. Social media erased boundaries and now lets us peer into the lives of millions online.
Today, people experience negative emotions on a much larger scale. In the information age, everyone knows who earns what, where they vacation, and how they spend their free time. The brain, being highly adaptive, quickly locks onto these “success stories.” This creates an illusory environment in which many feel like outcasts. Instead of wintering in Thailand, they find themselves buried in reports that must be submitted by year’s end.
It is for these reasons that FOMO emerges. Its development depends on personality traits and circumstances.
Risks and Coping With FOMO
This condition is harmful and destructive. Obsessive thoughts drive people into constant stress, damaging their psyche and harming their health. That’s why it’s vital to fight the fear of missing out.
The dangers include the development of:
- Anxiety and depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Neuroses
- Memory and attention problems
- Sleep disorders
Because of this, moods shift constantly, and people cycle through emotions ranging from envy and self-pity to insecurity. This state leads to lower self-esteem. In severe cases, it can result in suicidal tendencies.
FOMO also fuels pathological dependence on social media. Instead of focusing on personal growth, people monitor the lives of others, and everyone suffers as a result.
Who Suffers the Most?
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable. Influencers post glamorous photos from exotic places, showcase expensive clothes, shoes, and cars. Their curated image leaves out problems and conflicts, as everyone seems happy, wealthy, and fulfilled. For ordinary people, this creates discomfort, unfulfilled desires, and a sense of inadequacy. They feel the weight of missed opportunities.
Bot remember that this is nothing more than an illusion. But not everyone comes to that realization. Over time, users become hostages to the situation, constantly comparing their lives to those of others.