Grimag

  • Flow
  • Anxiety & Worry
  • Stress
  • Arousal
  • Psychology
  • Videos
  • Pros and Cons
Home The Fear Of Growing Up

The Fear Of Growing Up

Can you hear the old Toys ‘R Us jingle in your head?

“I don’t want to grow up. I’m a Toys ‘R Us kid. They’ve got a million toys at Toys ‘R Us that I can play with. I don’t want to grow up because if I did, I couldn’t be a Toys ‘R Us kid.”

Growing up can be scary. Many kids dream of the day when they can be an adult and take full control over their own lives, but not every kid has that dream. The fear of growing up is a real phobia that can lead children and teens to some extreme decisions.

What It Means to Be Afraid of Growing

A boy in Mexico began feeling afraid of growing up when he turned 11. He was so scared that his body would grow that he deprived himself of the foods he needed. It was a decision that would cause him to lose over 25 pounds.

At the same time, he would distort his voice, so it would seem like he was younger than he really was. This boy would even stoop over to make it seem like he was shorter than he happened to be.

This boy’s fear got to the point where he considered having voluntary surgery performed to have his body growth permanently restricted.

It is an extreme example of gerascophobia, which is the literal fear of becoming an adult.

What Causes People to Be Afraid of Growing Up?

Adults have a lot of responsibilities that most children do not have. Just that fact alone can be enough to trigger a phobia.

In many cases, however, the fear of growing up is caused by multiple environmental factors. A mother may treat their child like a baby. Younger siblings in a home may receive more attention than the child in question. Teasing about height or body development could enhance these feelings.

Body changes can also be scary. Going through puberty is a life-altering experience. There is fear and anxiety associated with new sexual development characteristics. For some children, the response is to avoid the situation instead of adapting to it or confronting it.

Over time, the fear of growing up will eventually ease. Extreme incidents of fear can often be treated. There are times we may all want to go back to childhood, but getting older is something to treasure, not fear.

May 2, 2018-Flow Psychology Editor
Reverse Psychology ExamplesDissatisfied With Life
You Might Also Like
 
6 Pros and Cons of Organic Food
 
Deep Brain Stimulation OCD
7 years ago Anxiety & Worry
0
GooglePlus
0
Facebook
0
Twitter
0
Stumbleupon
0
Linkedin
0
Pinterest
Recent Posts
  • Only Child Characteristics
  • Does Music Affect Your Mood
  • Negative Motivation
  • Positive Motivation
  • External and Internal Locus of Control
  • How To Leave An Emotionally Abusive Relationship
  • The Ability To Move Things With Your Mind
  • How To Tell Is Someone Is Lying About Cheating
  • Interpersonal Attraction Definition
  • Napoleon Compex Symptoms
Archives
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • November 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
Recent Posts
  • Only Child Characteristics
  • Does Music Affect Your Mood
  • Negative Motivation
  • Positive Motivation
  • External and Internal Locus of Control
Categories
  • Anxiety & Worry
  • Apathy & Boredom
  • Arousal
  • Flow
  • Pros and Cons
  • Psychology
  • Stress
  • Videos
2014 © Flow Psychology Blog