Most of us in our daily lives understand the pressure of staying constantly tuned in, the fitness updates, salary slips, medical checks, and unread emails that keep piling up. And while many of us joke about FOMO, that anxious itch of missing out, there’s a quieter fear shaping how we live today. It’s not about what we’re left out of, it’s about what we’re too scared to face.
This fear slips into the lives of young professionals, students living independently, and anyone trying to keep up with modern life. And unlike FOMO, it doesn’t shout; it whispers. That’s FOFO.
So what exactly is FOFO, where did the term come from, and how do you deal with a fear that makes you want to avoid the truth?
ALSO READ | Athletes are chewing gum on the field for a reason — science explains the hidden benefits
What exactly is FOFO?
FOFO, short for the Fear of Finding Out, acts as a psychological barrier. It’s what makes someone hesitate to dig into a possible issue because they’re terrified of what they might uncover.
In daily life, FOFO can show up in many subtle ways- avoiding meaningful conversations with someone important, delaying legal or regulatory matters you know require attention, or pushing off system upgrades because you suspect they’ll reveal deeper issues.
It also appears when someone refuses to revisit an ineffective strategy or avoids constructive feedback, even when it could genuinely help them improve.
Where did the term come from?
The concept of FOFO first emerged in the healthcare sector. Researchers used it to describe individuals who were too fearful to seek medical advice, even when they sensed something was wrong.
This fear is more widespread than we realise. An American survey cited by TIME revealed that three out of five adults avoid recommended medical screenings out of fear of receiving embarrassing or difficult results.
Another survey found a concerning drop in routine check-ups; only 51 per cent of adults went for screenings in 2025, a 10 per cent decrease from the previous year.
Eventually, the term expanded beyond health. Fofo is now used to explain various kinds of avoidance behaviours: personal, financial, emotional, and professional.
ALSO READ | Living alone? Here are the simple kitchen cleaning habits you should try
Why does FOFO happen?
At its core, FOFO stems from anxiety. “It’s an attempt to control an uncertain situation,” psychologist Lynn Bufka told Elle. Avoiding uncomfortable information provides temporary comfort, even though it often leads to bigger problems later.
FOFO can also be driven by past negative medical experiences, fear of a diagnosis associated with stigma (such as an STI), iatrophobia: the fear of doctors or simply the dread of going through medical treatment.
