Social networks have become a space where individuals share not only their happiest moments, but also their biggest challenges. While some of these challenges are true, a new trend called "sadfishing" refers to the act of exaggerating or fabricating emotional problems to get attention. The term "sadfishing" comes from the combination of the word "sad" (sad) and "fishing", symbolizing the act of "fishing" for attention. It is the act of manipulating the emotions of others for personal gain.
For example, someone might post, "I can't believe how much I'm hurting right now. Nothing is going right for me," along with a sad selfie and a crying emoji, without giving specific details. This can encourage followers to offer support even if the person who posted it is more about getting attention than asking for genuine support.
A study published in the journal " BMC Psychology " found that teenagers who were anxious and depressed and exhibited attention-seeking behavior were more likely to engage in "sadfish." Research also found that during adolescence, boys have a greater tendency towards this phenomenon, but this tendency decreases with age. On the other hand, for girls, the tendency to use the "sadfish" trend increases over the years.
There are three "symptoms" associated with sadfishing:
1. Denial as a defense mechanism
Denial is a defense mechanism where individuals avoid facing painful feelings or events. People in denial may not address their true emotional issues and instead turn to social media to express exaggerated emotional feelings, seeking attention. This temporary escape does not help in managing emotions or solving deep problems.
2. The influence of alcohol
Individuals think about certain things differently when under the influence of alcohol. This can lead to impulsive and emotionally motivated posts on social media aimed at getting attention.
3. Attention-seeking behavior associated with personality disorder
People with personality disorder traits are more prone to "sadfish", as they seek excessive attention, feeling bad when they are not the center of attention.
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