FOMO is an irrational and exaggerated fear of missing out on something that other people might be enjoying right now. Thus, FOMO is a psychological condition that affects people because it prevents them from being in contact with their surroundings in a healthy way. For this reason, the fear of losing something can be considered a psychological disorder linked to the social aspect.

This anxiety disorder can be included within the group of specific phobias that the DSM-V ^[1] groups together. Below we will show you the diagnostic criteria for Fear of Missing Out (FOMO):

• Fear and/or anxiety in the face of a specific situation or object, in this case, the fear of losing something.
• Disproportionate fear and/or anxiety about the danger that the specific situation or object actually represents.
• Anguish at the fear of being judged negatively.
• Deterioration of social, professional and family relationships.
• Duration of six months or more.
• The alterations cannot be explained by the presence of another mental disorder or the ingestion of toxic substances or medication.

There are some physical, emotional and behavioral manifestations that allow you to detect this irrational fear of losing something. Thus, the most relevant symptoms of the FOMO Syndrome are:

• Insecurity.
• Catastrophic thoughts about the loss.
• Constant fear of devaluation.
• Unhappiness.
• Intense distress.
• Sleep changes.
• Constant consultation of social networks.
• Permanent approval required.
• Restless breathing.
• Palpitations.
• Excessive sweat.
• In some cases, dizziness and vomiting.

It should be noted that the presence of any of these symptoms in isolation does not necessarily represent a picture of FOMO. Therefore, the definitive diagnosis should be carried out by a mental health professional who assesses the clinical conditions of each person.

To approach the FOMO Syndrome in greater depth, it is essential to know the possible origins of this pathology. Below, we will explain the main causes:

environmental factors

In general terms, FOMO or fear of missing something can be related to having suffered significant losses during childhood . These may include members of the family environment, valuables or specific situations, among others. On the other hand, it is possible that the person has also gone through painful situations in which they have not been accepted for various reasons.

In these cases, the need to be present in countless moments appears as a response to these insecurities.

genetic factors

Brain chemistry is another factor to consider when looking for sources of FOMO. In this sense, it is important to bear in mind that there are certain neuronal connections linked to the processing of information coming from the outside. Given this, it is possible that people react with intense fear as a means of expression in these scenarios.

How to treat FOMO syndrome? Currently, there are some approaches that improve the quality of life of people with this problem. The most effective treatments to treat the fear of losing something are:

psychological therapy

Therapy is a space that invites you to reflect on the actions, emotions and thoughts that a person may have and the problems they cause. On the one hand, psychological therapies are short-term and focus on reducing symptoms and providing tools to face social situations that produce high levels of anxiety, such as those present in FOMO. The main approach of this type of therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy .

On the other hand, long-term therapies aim to find the source of a person’s conflicts so that he or she adopts other alternatives when facing their difficulties. The most important long-term therapeutic approach is psychoanalysis.

psychiatric medication

In cases of considerable severity, the administration of psychiatric medications may be a viable option to decrease the intensity of symptoms. However, it is necessary that the person be evaluated by a health professional who supervises this treatment.