Peter pan syndrome (PPS) is a condition where an adult acts much younger than others of their age group. PPS can be temporary or long-lasting. Someone with PPS demonstrates at least three of the following characteristics:
1.
Knowledge and use of youth culture that is unusual when compared to their peers in age
2. Having most of their friends and/or
major relationships with people much younger than their age OR with people who also have PPS
3. Avoidance of saying their age; when describing themselves,
may use phrases such as "young at heart", "adventurous", "young
soul", "never grew up", "one of the cool ones", "carefree", etc.
4. Having a consistent pattern of failed commitments (career/romantic relationships/other major adult responsibility); directionless in life goals
5. Constantly missing their youth and frequent attempts to recreate it
6. An inability to mentally view themselves at their current age
7. Deliberate avoidance of responsibility or being uncomfortable with commitment
It can result due to multiple reasons, such as (but not limited to) a
fear of aging, existential anxiety, or a personality disorder in severe cases.
See "
Wendy Syndrome" for someone who enables, feels responsible to "fix", or acts in a caregiver role to the person with PPS -- often resulting in a unhealthy or codependent
relationship.
