Unfortunately, these extended social circles have also become wide and even borderless with the existence of social media and the breadth of the social coverage. The use of social technology has further created an easy platform to fulfil the desire \u201c<\/em>to stay continually connected with what others are doing\u201d<\/em> (Przybylski, Murayama, DeHaan, & Gladwell, 2013, p. 1841). Social media provides the platform to feed and satisfy these needs to be up to date. However, it also contributes towards a sense of compulsion to be connected in which contribute easily for one to experience a sense of FOMO in this day of age.<\/p>\n The processes that involve FOMO can be broken down into the interaction of thoughts, feelings and behaviour and how each of these components are interconnected. One component affects the other, in which can lead into an unhelpful negative spiral of emotions and maladaptive behaviours.<\/p>\n One can start having thoughts and perception that they are missing out.<\/p>\n Thoughts:<\/em><\/strong> \u201cI am missing out\u201d, \u201cWhat if they have more fun and I am not there and do not know what happened?\u201d, \u201cWhat if they get to do those exciting things and I did not?\u201d, \u201cWhat if they say something bad about me for missing out on the event?\u201d, \u201cWhat if I am considered less because I miss out on the trend?\u201d.<\/p>\n These thoughts are what psychologists call the \u201cWhat if\u2019s\u201d. <\/em>These are common unhelpful thoughts that propels the feeling of anxiety, nervous and worry.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Feelings:<\/em><\/strong> Anxiety, Nervous, Worry<\/p>\n These are thoughts that makes one have uncomfortable feelings and sensations. Thus, to avoid experiencing such discomfort, one feels compelled to engage in behaviours that ensures they are continuously remain updated.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Behaviour:<\/em><\/strong> Compulsive behaviours to check and recheck social media so to appear \u201calways in the know\u201d, being a \u201cpeople pleaser\u201d to appear \u201ccool\u201d or behaving out of character just to be \u201cin trend\u201d.<\/p>\n These cycle of anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviour further contribute towards a skewed perception of oneself (e.g., \u201cI\u2019m not good enough\u201d) and perception of their social environment (e.g., \u201cEveryone is doing better than me.\u201d). This leads to feelings of sadness and disappointment contributing to maladaptive behaviours such as social avoidance, difficulties sleeping and poor functioning, ultimately resulting in feelings of low self-worth, helplessness, and depression.<\/p>\n Thoughts<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019m not good enough\u201d, \u201cEveryone is doing better than me.\u201d<\/p>\n Feelings:<\/em><\/strong> Disappointment, Depression<\/p>\n Behaviour:<\/em><\/strong> Crying, Social Avoidance, Poor sleep, Poor diet<\/p>\n FOMO is a negative psychological phenomenon and can have a significant impact not only on one\u2019s mental health but also physical, social and occupational health. This sense of wanting to be socially connected can drive a person to be even more disconnected with what is important in their life. Thus, it is important to identify and notice if you do have these difficulties. Some ways to manage these difficulties include:<\/p>\n For many, FOMO is not an experience that has been felt overnight. It may be a struggle that has been experienced for over a long period of time in which may have led to feelings of anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive behaviours. This in which may have severely affected day-to-day functioning. Therapy would be a good option to help and support your struggles and provide healthier ways of coping. If you feel that you are experiencing depressive or anxiety symptoms or notice FOMO affecting your daily functioning, do reach out for help.<\/p>\n Psychotherapy provides a platform for you to work with a therapist that will help and support you to break this vicious cycle and create helpful habits towards a more meaningful life. Mindfulness has also been found to be helpful to manage the unhelpful thoughts that triggers the cycle of anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n FOMO if goes untreated can lead to more significant difficulties in one\u2019s life. It is best to reach out and get the support and help needed.<\/p>\nHow does FOMO look like?<\/h3>\n
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The psychology of Fear of Missing Out<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nDealing with FOMO<\/h3>\n
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