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We all know the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up and went on endless childhood adventures in Neverland. For most of us, this is just a beloved fictional story that we dreamed of when we were young, but some may have taken this dream too far to avoid growing up, and now they have Peter Pan Syndrome.

While it is not a formal diagnosis recognized by the World Health Organization, Peter Pan Syndrome or PPS is a term used in the field of psychology to describe an adult who has difficulty facing the realities of growing up. It may present differently from case to case, but people with this syndrome generally struggle with commitment and responsibilities that later impact their quality of life.

Don't try to find Wendy

In the story of Peter Pan, he meets Wendy Darling - a girl of the same age who goes with Peter Pan to have adventures in Neverland but ends up accepting that she has to grow up. In the real world, Wendy Syndrome is used to describe a person who is empathetic, caring and nurturing to an excessive degree that they end up neglecting themselves. 

While PPS is common in males and Wendy Syndrome in females, anybody can exhibit either behavior. A person with Peter Pan Syndrome and one with Wendy Syndrome tend to gravitate toward each other. However, to overcome PPS, it is important to avoid this since it could result in an unhealthy codependent relationship. 

In a study, PPS was linked to having overprotective parents, so in a codependent relationship, the person with Wendy Syndrome ends up acting like a mother to the one with PPS.

Therapy and other treatment methods

Since it is not an official diagnosis, there is no official treatment method for Peter Pan Syndrome. However, psychologist Dr. Nathan Brandon explains that individual therapy can be helpful. He also says that slowly integrating mundane tasks for adults into daily activities will help condition their minds to accept the reality of growing up.