ADHD and FOMO are two closely related conditions that affect the lives of many people. Feeling left out is an essential part of the human experience. However, when this feeling becomes overwhelming, one can fall victim to what is commonly known as FOMO or ‘Fear Of Missing Out’.

In this article, we will explore the social phenomenon of ADHD and FOMO and why people with ADHD may have more difficulty coping with FOMO than others. We will also analyze practical strategies to help people with ADHD find a balance between ADHD and FOMO.

What is FOMO?

FOMO is the acronym for ‘Fear of Missing Out’. It is generally used to describe situations where people are afraid of being left out of certain activities or opportunities. The term FOMO was first introduced in 2004 and has become quite common in the following years. However, as the acronym is closely associated with the desire for belonging and inclusion, the concept of FOMO has been around for much longer. Some of the behaviors and symptoms associated with FOMO can include:

• Feeling inadequate compared to others
• Feelings of sadness, anxiety or depression
• Taking on too many commitments so as not to miss out
• symptoms of ADHD and FOMO can be mutually reinforcing
  .

  ADHD sufferers who experience FOMO due to social media may also have greater difficulty disengaging from screens. In some cases, hyperfocusing on what the people they follow online are doing could draw ADHD sufferers into a vicious cycle that can lead to technology addiction. The latter is a phenomenon that is closely linked to ADHD and to which the GAM Medical blog has dedicated an article. So if you want to delve deeper into the subject, we recommend you read the article ‘The key to understanding ADHD and technology addiction’.

  Another link between FOMO and ADHD lies in the dynamic that the fear of missing out can install a feeling of inferiority in a person. This is a feeling that ADHD sufferers may experience regularly in their daily lives, and FOMO can increase feelings of exclusion and exacerbate feelings of rejection. Therefore, it is crucial to emphasize the role of an accurate diagnosis of both conditions: an accurate ADHD diagnosis can provide effective strategies to help people with this condition overcome or mitigate such daily difficulties.
  
  

  Strategies to reduce FOMO

  Eliminating the fear of missing out completely may be impossible, as it is human nature to want to belong and be part of a group. However, when FOMO becomes a source of distress, it’s time to make changes. In addition to contacting specialized centers like GAM Medical, where you can get an accurate ADHD diagnosis and help from highly specialized professionals,

  you could try using the following strategies to minimize FOMO in your life.

  1. Reduce social media use: Social media use is a major trigger for FOMO. Try to reduce the amount of time you spend on your accounts each day. You could commit to only checking social media once a day, or set a timer to remind you to log off. Some platforms, like Instagram, also allow you to set reminders to remind you when you’ve spent a certain amount of time on the app.
  Practice mindfulness: Whether through meditation, yoga or another relaxing activity, mindfulness is about being present in the moment. This allows you to focus on what is happening and let go of other thoughts. In addition to helping with FOMO, the practice of mindfulness can minimize impulsive actions and improve concentration, which can be an important help for ADHD.
  2. Focus on gratitude: Taking a moment to remember all the positive things in your life is a useful strategy for overcoming FOMO. Try making a list of the things you are grateful for or keep a journal in which you recount the positive aspects of your life on a daily basis. This can alleviate the symptoms of FOMO, especially in moments when you feel like you’re missing out.
  Create personal projects: It’s natural to feel a little jealous when you see other people having fun without you. One way to combat these feelings is to focus on your own plans. If you have events and activities on your calendar that you’re looking forward to, you might find that your FOMO isn’t as intense. You could make plans to go out with friends, plan a trip, take a class or just go for a walk and admire the beauty around you.Manage ADHD: If you think you have ADHD symptoms, it’s important to get an ADHD diagnosis as this can effectively treat the symptoms and reduce the intensity of FOMO.

  The link between ADHD and FOMO is strong, mainly because the symptoms of the two conditions overlap and can therefore have an important impact on the lives of ADHD sufferers. For this reason, it is crucial to act on ADHD symptoms to get an accurate ADHD diagnosis. GAM Medical is an online clinic that specializes in adult ADHD and offers the ability to obtain an accurate ADHD diagnosis. Often the ADHD symptoms can be confused with symptoms of other conditions or, as in this case, overlap with other symptoms, and for these very reasons it can sometimes be difficult to obtain an accurate ADHD diagnosis. However, GAM Medical provides highly specialized ADHD professionals who thoroughly examine ADHD symptoms through an ADHD diagnosis process consisting of an initial psychological ADHD assessment and a second psychiatric ADHD assessment to obtain an accurate ADHD diagnosis

  .

  Waste no time and discover all the details of GAM Medical’s ADHD diagnosis on the website!

  About the author

  • GAM Medical

  Be part of our community

  and sign up for our newsletter now.

  With your registration you agree to our terms and conditions & privacy policy.

  Start the

  ADHD test!

  Get started easily with our free ADHD test and receive an initial assessment.

  More certainty in just 3 minutes

  Start ADHD test