and could hence be described as an insane  mental defect. However, it is common,  

real, and can make us feel deep regret for  something that hasn't actually happened.

FOMO is an animal that shies away  from strangers and larger groups,  

but loves to hide within  intimate social relationships.

It can attack your ego when a close  friend is getting ahead. It tears  

you down when others are having a  good time and you aren't invited.

It beats you up, if your rival  gets what ought to be yours. 

And if you are lovesick and can't fall asleep,  

it's your FOMO that will give  you the worst nightmares.

FOMO's full destructive force  can be observed in Tom and Jeff,  

two friends who decided to invest their  savings into bitcoin, back in 2012.

Over the next few years the price of bitcoin went  up a lot, and the two began to believe that they  

were brilliant investors, and that their bet  was the smartest move in their young lives.

But they also became increasingly concerned that  something might happen to that precious stake,  

and this new identity of theirs.  Tom experienced fear of loss.

Then, one day, the price of bitcoin suddenly  started falling and then dropped dramatically.

Tom's fear of loss became too strong and  he decided to sell half of his coins.

Jeff, a religious believer, didn't sell.

After he cashed out, Tom felt relieved,  

even though his remaining bitcoin  investment kept falling further.

We see this happen in Tom, because  while he might still lose money,  

he wants to protect what has become  even more precious to him— his identity  

of being that brilliant investor. But then our story takes a dark twist.

A short while later, the price of Bitcoin first  

stabilized and then kept  rising — faster and faster.

But Tom, who still held plenty of  coins, wasn't happy. No. While he  

lay in bed at night his FOMO crept out of  hiding and painted a terrifying future.

Tom began to believe that he had made  a massive mistake that would leave him  

a poor fool, while his friend would be the  millionaire they both dreamed of becoming.

And so, even though he still owned  a significant amount of bitcoin,  

he now hoped for a total crash in its value,  and the absolute failure of cryptocurrencies.

So, what's going on here?

The FOMO attacks Tom, because Jeff is his  friend. Same age. Same tribe. Someone just  

like him. The difference is that while Jeff  is a brilliant investor, Tom is an idiot.

And because Tom knows he could have achieved  Jeff's success, and doesn't want to live with  

that idea for the rest of his life,  he hopes they'll both fail miserably.

Research on FOMO suggests: There are no gender differences 

Higher FOMO scores are associated with younger age 

It's associated with people who are neurotic And those who are lonely experience it more often

But which fear is stronger? The  fear of losing what is ours or  

our fear of missing out? Or are they  even, essentially, the same thing?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below  

or tell us your own experiences with  feelings of anxiety, fear or fomo.

If you found this helpful, check  out our other videos and subscribe. 

If you want to support our work,  join us on patreon.com/sprouts. 

For more information and additional  contents, visit sproutsschools.com