James Donaldson on Mental Health - “Failure to Launch” Syndrome

A modern version of an old problem While adult children have lived with their parents in past generations, researchers argue that phenomenon of highly dependent adult children is on the rise , and young people today seem particularly susceptible.

Adolescence is more prolonged now in many cultures, and there’s an emphasis on finding a fulfilling career, not just a job that pays the bills.

Technology contributes to the problem.

Playing video games, watching videos, scrolling through social media — “these activities don’t help matters because they can do things that feel like they’re accomplishing something,” Dr.

How to stop enabling your grown child In Dr.

Welles’s practice, she has worked with families where she initially treated the teen for anxiety or OCD, then involved the parents more deeply when the young adult had trouble launching.

In one case, the son was in the habit of playing video games late at night and would sleep through class the next day.

He had anxiety and depression, and his parents didn’t want to take away video games because it was the one thing he enjoyed doing.

But they started turning off the Wi-Fi in the house at a certain time at night.

“It sounds so extreme, like he’s being punished,” Dr.