How Is Peter Pan Syndrome Treated In Psychotherapy?
The process of adaptation to the stages of life is one of the most complex psychological phenomena. Not in vain, growing and maturing psychologically is much more than improving certain skills and developing new ones; It is also about making our own the roles that the society in which we live reserves for people of certain age groups… and this, sometimes, is quite a challenge.
In certain cases, the person resists accepting the type of behavior patterns that are expected of someone of his or her age, and decides to only use those that allow him or her to access short-term sources of satisfaction, but without assuming those that entail. a certain level of extra effort and dedication. When this occurs in adults, what is known as Peter Pan syndrome arises, and in this article we will see how it is addressed in psychological therapy.
Despite its name, Peter Pan syndrome It is not a psychopathology nor is it part of a clinical picture something that does occur with certain diseases such as schizophrenia.
It is, basically, a set of behavioral patterns that, in the life context of most adults, is problematic and causes discomfort to the person who internalizes it and/or the people around them. Specifically, it consists of the tendency to reject any role that involves assuming responsibilities and making commitments, as an adult.
Hence, it is often understood that people who have developed this predisposition have remained anchored in a style of behavior typical of boys and girls, wanting to live in society and have the protection offered by their close social circle. but without having to invest effort in cultivating those relationships and making good coexistence possible.
This reference to Peter Pan is a way of linking this phenomenon with the idea of a child who does not want to grow up or enter the role systems of adult life, forever belonging in the land of “Neverland”, as happens with the protagonist of James Matthew Barrie’s play (or its Disney film adaptation).
Thus, people in whom the typical characteristics of Peter Pan syndrome are met tend to live a life focused on the search for emotional and material support from others, and the satisfaction of their short and medium-term goals otherwise adopting a passive attitude towards everything that happens around him.
Some of the hallmark signs of Peter Pan syndrome are as follows.
It must be taken into account that certain psychological disorders can be expressed through symptoms that can be confused with Peter Pan syndrome, and that diagnosis can only be made by mental health professionals. In any case, these ideas that we have seen give you a general and summarized vision of the problem.
How do you intervene in Peter Pan syndrome in psychotherapy?
Although psychological therapy is always applied taking into account the particularities of each patient and adapting the techniques to their needs, in general, the following forms of intervention for Peter Pan syndrome stand out.
Various exercises are applied to help the person know themselves better, to understand the way you usually experience emotions, and discover the true source of your discomfort identifying her in her past and present.
2. Training in task sequencing and time management skills
Many times, people with Peter Pan syndrome behave this way because they feel very intimidated by the prospect of carrying out all the tasks associated with adult life, and they do not see themselves capable of doing so even though they really have the capacity to do so. live autonomously.
Therefore, in therapy they are taught what they are capable of, showing them ways to manage time well and make completing tasks not only fluid, but even easy. a source of motivation and satisfaction with oneself.
3. Identification of the needs of others
In psychotherapy it is also helps these people get out of that mentality marked by egocentrism, making it more likely that ideas related to the mental state of others will come to mind. Once this happens, in most cases concern for the well-being of these people arises spontaneously.
Related article: “Egocentric personality: 15 characteristic traits”
4. Improved self-esteem
These people are guided through this process of psychological maturation, allowing them to be aware of their progress in order to value it and incorporate it into their self-esteem. Thus, They begin to trust much more in their ability to live as adults.
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