If you experience a constant fear of being left out or have a feeling that other people around you are living a better life, you could be suffering from what psychologists describe as FOMO or Fear of Missing Out. Psychologists say as the world increasingly becomes digital, FOMO is felt and occurring rampantly. Though there isn’t any official record as the condition isn’t diagnosable yet, psychiatrists at the National Referral Hospital say Bhutanese youth are also vulnerable to FOMO.
Do you spend a lot of time on social media stalking videos and pictures of people having a meal out, going on a vacation to some exotic places or showing off a nice outfit?
And does watching these contents on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok leave you feeling like you are missing out on things in life? If so, you are experiencing FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out.
It is a psychological term introduced in 2004 with the introduction of Facebook, one of the most popular social networking sites. It was defined later in 2013 as the worry that others might be having a rewarding experience.
According to a peer-reviewed journal called Technological Forecasting and Social Change, symptoms of FOMO include obsessively checking social media, experiencing negative feelings when comparing one’s life to what others are doing on social media and feeling mentally exhausted from social media among others.
According to psychiatrists, it is triggered by friends’ activities and gradually causes one to feel left out and have low self-esteem.
A few youths admitted to having felt that way.
“In my opinion, I think that I have experienced it too. Well, most of my friends went to Australia. And when I see the posts online, I feel like I am missing something in my life,” said Kuenga Namgyel, a resident.
“When I see pictures of people living outside Bhutan being posted on social media sites, I feel apprehensive and inferior to them because I feel like I am the only one living a life like this,” said a youth.
“As I observe posts on social media of my friends abroad, from the way they expose themselves I feel like I shall also try to go abroad because it attracts me,” said Chimi Wangmo, another resident.
Dr Damber K. Nirola of the National Referral Hospital said FOMO is experienced largely by youths when they are the most insecure and indecisive in their life. He added that FOMO can be associated with depression, feeling more stressed out and decreased life satisfaction.
“So, FOMO can be triggered by friends’ activity, too many options, or social events that one is not involved in because there are lots of activities that are happening on social media and you think that I am not involved there or that I am not getting that opportunity. It is associated with negative consequences such as reduced life expectancy, emotional tension, anxiety, and lack of sleep.”
Furthermore, the doctor said that FOMO could lead to the obsession of wanting to participate in all online activities and end up comparing.
“It becomes like an addiction. So, it is obsessive participation in all online activities. So, there is also a competitive thought that what others are experiencing is more pleasurable, and successful and that they are fulfilling lots of things in life than what you are experiencing. So, basically, you are trying to compare and feel that you are not up to that.”
Dr Nirola added that one can avoid FOMO by limiting exposure to social media.
“Most importantly we have to limit the social exposure in any type of media because they can make you compare with others and you feel inadequate or left out. You have to slow down and be discerning about your own options. But definitely, this is an upcoming thing and we might see more and more people experiencing FOMO in the future.”
According to Forbes, while FOMO may negatively impact both physical and mental health, it is also possible to enjoy social media without letting FOMO overtake you.
Experts say this can be achieved if you remember that social media is only half of the story, and unfollow or delete apps that tend to make one feel worse.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Phub Gyem
