Overcoming FOMO: my struggle and progress / Piermauro Catarinella

Two years ago, I grappled with the phenomenon known as FOMO, or the “fear of missing out”. Fortunately, with the assistance of a psychologist friend, I successfully liberated myself from this pervasive anxiety. FOMO is an acronym encapsulating the apprehension of being excluded from gratifying experiences that others partake in, accompanied by an incessant urge to stay perpetually connected through compulsive monitoring of social media notifications. This condition represents a genuine manifestation of social anxiety, marked by the fear of missing out on enjoyable events shared online. Implicit in this experience is an ongoing comparison with others, fostering the continual need to stay abreast of the activities of one's peers. I used to constantly have my phone in hand, and the mere thought of leaving it at home was unbearable, inducing anxiety. Even in the most inconvenient moments, I found it challenging to resist the temptation of checking notifications or browsing social networks.