FOMO is an acronym for the English phrase “fear of missing out”, which in Portuguese means something like “fear of being excluded”, and which is characterized by a constant need to know what others are doing, associated with feelings of envy, for fear of missing an update, a party or an event.
People who have FOMO end up 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 others.
- All of these behaviors are the result of anxiety caused by the insecurity of living offline and can lead to anxiety.
- Stress.
- Bad mood.
- Discomfort and even depression.
Characteristic symptoms of FOMO include
In some cases, FOMO can still cause anxiety and even depression.Discover your anxiety level with our online test.
The possible causes that FOMO may be causing are the fact that people’s relationship with technology is still very recent and the excessive use of mobile phone and the Internet.
FOMO is most common between the ages of 16 and 36, which is the age period in which social media is most used.
Strategies that can be adopted to avoid FOMO include: living the moments rather than posting them on social media; Prioritize the people around you.Reduce the use of smartphones, tablets, computers or any other device with the Internet.Understand that people who post content on the Internet do not have a perfect life and that they choose the best moments for their social networks.
If necessary, and if the person has foMO anxiety or discomfort, it is advisable to consult a psychologist.