Have you ever overhyped a hobby on social media to impress your crush? You might suffer from Downbaditis | Lucinda Price

It all began with a simple struggle for validation—a crush’s relentless pursuit pulling me into a mental vortex of needing constant validation and appearing effortlessly desirable. From overhyping hobbies to appearing "hot" on Instagram, I realized how far I’d gone, even to the point of buying a surfboard in desperation. History tells us this isn’t new; it has roots in music, literature, and social media, evolving with each generation. It’s everywhere, every gender, and often only diagnosed post-breakup. For me, it came too late, leaving me questioning if I could ever return to normal after the thrill of validation fades.