While failure to launch syndrome is not a real mental health diagnosis, it is a very real phenomenon in the world of mental health. Failure to launch syndrome refers to young adults who remain dependent on their parents and/or caregivers instead of blossoming into independent, motivated adults. This has become an increasingly common occurrence and, luckily, there are ways to combat failure to launch syndrome.
As a parent, it can be heartbreaking and discouraging to see your child or teen struggle to transition to adulthood. You may be wondering if your child is just lazy or if you did something to inhibit their growth. While either or both of these factors may be present for your child, there are many influencing elements that can lead to failure to launch syndrome. When you pinpoint your child’s underlying cause for failure to launch syndrome, you know what your child has to work on specifically to build a life of his or her own. A life transitions therapist can help you and your family throughout this change.