How long does this quiz take?

It takes about 1 minute to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz tell me if I am sadfishing?

Yes, the results will give you insight into whether your social media posting habits align with behaviors characterized as sadfishing, such as seeking sympathy or attention through emotional disclosure.

Can my results help me change my online behavior?

Absolutely. Understanding your motivations for posting can help you find more constructive ways to seek emotional support and build healthier boundaries online.

This psychological assessment measures "sadfishing," the tendency to post personal struggles online to elicit sympathy and validation.

Social Media Sadfishing Questionnaire

Do you secretly seek sympathy on social media?

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Sadfishing is a term used to describe the act of posting about personal struggles, emotional difficulties, or negative experiences on social media with the intention of seeking attention, reassurance, sympathy, or validation from others. This behavior often reflects a deliberate effort to evoke empathy through self-disclosure. The Social Media Sadfishing Questionnaire aims to measure your tendency to post about emotional difficulties to gain support from your online community. For a broader look at your digital habits, you might also consider taking the Doomscrolling Scale or the Fear of Missing Out Scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: It takes about 1 minute to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Social Media Sadfishing Questionnaire answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Social Media Sadfishing Questionnaire results may have changed.
Will this quiz tell me if I am sadfishing?: Yes, the results will give you insight into whether your social media posting habits align with behaviors characterized as sadfishing, such as seeking sympathy or attention through emotional disclosure.
Can my results help me change my online behavior?: Absolutely. Understanding your motivations for posting can help you find more constructive ways to seek emotional support and build healthier boundaries online.

Social Media Sadfishing Questionnaire: Take The 5-Item Test

Step 1: Rate Your Sadfishing Tendencies

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. I post my emotional pain on social media to get support from others.

2. Social media is an outlet to share my bad experiences for gaining sympathy.

3. I seek compassion by posting my negative emotions on social media.

4. I share the concerns of my life on social media to gain positive attention.

5. Posting my painful experiences on social media helps me to relieve tension through attracting sympathetic reactions.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Social Media Sadfishing Questionnaire Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Shabahang, R., Shim, H., Aruguete, M. S., & Zsila, Á. (2023). Adolescent sadfishing on social media: anxiety, depression, attention seeking, and lack of perceived social support as potential contributors. BMC Psychology, 11(1), 378.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.