AFTER the famous ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO), a new fear is haunting the world at large. The fear of finding out (FOFO) is a psychological phenomenon where individuals avoid seeking information, such as medical tests, financial statements or feedback, because they are afraid of uncovering negative news that may affect them directly or indirectly.

In the context of health, for instance, it is not rare to find people who do not get themselves tested out of fear that they may have some disease about which they do not want to know. Likewise, when results of something come out, the participants often fear opening the document because of the fear of finding out.

It has been observed that people want to remain the way they are and let things stay the way they are because they fear any change for the worse, even if it is transient in nature. This fear can affect one’s mental wellbeing and anxiety level. This new kind of fear is having an adverse impact globally. People are rather keen on living in a world of status quo.

Globalisation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI) revolutions and such other advancements and changes, alongside their benefits, have made people vulnerable by intensifying mental health concerns, especially in societies where mental health concern is a taboo and visiting a psychiatrist is considered a big issue.

Global health organisations, media and civil society entities need to make their moves quickly to combat this silent but troubling wave of anxiety which, if not curbed in time, is likely to increase suicide rates, heart attacks and mental health concerns.

Shuja Ahmed Awan
Shahdadkot

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2026