Do You Have a Fear of Missing Out? by Justin White

Are you FOMO? Are you constantly over your computer or smartphone to check Facebook, so it may be that you're afraid to miss anything.


Photo: Justin White

FOMO, or the “Fear of Missing Out,” is something many of us have experienced. It happens when we start to feel nervous about not taking part in social events, like that awesome party anyone who’s anyone showed up to last weekend", reports Justin White.
FOMO can contribute to anxiety and depression — but, at the same time, there may actually be some perks to people’s fears about missing out. And while recent research suggests FOMO’s a phenomenon made bigger by social media, people have always been concerned about their social standing.

Let’s Not and Say We Did — The Need-to-Know



Photo: Greatist.com

FOMO is often associated with a perceived low social rank, which can cause feelings of anxiety and inferiority. When we miss a party, vacation, or any other social event, we sometimes feel a little less cool than those who showed up and snapped photos. In some cases, people are even afraid to miss out on bad stuff! (Not having a job is an exclusive club, after all.)

FOMO is most common in people ages 18 to 33 — in fact, one survey of people in this age group found two thirds of participants said they experience these fears. The survey also suggests FOMO is more common among guys than ladies, though it’s still unclear why.
Research suggests FOMO can take a pretty strong negative toll on psychological health. Constant fear of missing events can cause anxiety and depression, especially for young people. In more extreme cases, these social insecurities can even contribute to violence and feelings of shame.

Read more...

Related link
Studielektor Tem Frank Andersen fra Aalborg Universitet fortæller i denne forelæsning om fænomenet FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out.

Forelæsningen varer 16:36 min.
Syg af de sociale medier?

---

Source: Greatist.com