Sadfishing: The Worrying New Trend Taking Over Social Media

In a world ruled by the Internet, social media has become a powerful tool to spread news and information. It is also used extensively as a platform for emotional outlets where netizens share their turmoils and ecstatic moments. This could either improve one’s emotional condition or lead to a gloomier outlook on life. 

In the social media lingo, we refer to this as “sadfishing”. Let us decode what the trending term means, why individuals engage in it, and its impact on mental health. 

Sadfishing Meaning

Seeking genuine emotional comfort from your followers online could be healthy. However, when it becomes an obsession resulting in continual attention or validation seeking, this is what we call “sadfishing”. Under the disturbing social media trend, netizens share overemphasised reels, posts, and stories highlighting their atrocities. 

Why People Indulge In Sadfishing

To understand why netizens engage in this viral trend, we spoke to Atreyee Das, Psychologist at Infosys Empower, Sangath. 

1. Individuals lacking support and attention in real life, through friends and family, are more likely to engage in the act to fill the void in their lives. 
2. Social media users with continual self-doubts often seek validation from their followers to feel a sense of upliftment and acceptance. 
3. Those desiring enhanced online exposure, seek attention on the Internet by sharing serious life problems with strangers. 
4. Individuals who lack the motivation to attain their goals often engage in the activity to seek external push. 

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How Sadfishing Impacts Mental Health

On the surface, it may seem like a regular sympathy-gaining social media act, however, it may result in major mental health conditions. 

1. Sadfishing can be a vicious cycle; once you taste it, you may obsessively fall prey to it. You will end up in a loop where seeking constant validation will become your new normal.
2. You could be impacted mentally by the surging need for attention. The obsession could result in many clinical conditions including anxiety and depression. 
3. Your self-image could be severely affected and your self-doubts may rise. You will also become overtly dependent on external advice for functioning.
4. This may also result in you losing your true self and succumbing to society’s pressuring trends resulting in an identity crisis. 

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