The Lost Child becomes the least obvious member of the family, but their troubles are no less significant. Obesity and anorexia are common in adults in these roles, along with drugs, work and the internet. In some ways both of those roles are focused on each other and the addict or alcoholic. The family members may not realize it, but all of them are equally at stake in this family matter, including the acting-out child who may be draining most of the family's time, energy and resources. They cling to their partner and want them to drop … The purpose of having a lost child in the family is similar to that of The Hero.

Lost Child Fears Causing Problems In Alcoholic Family. The Lost Child in an alcoholic family blends into the woodwork for fear of causing problems. The "I Feel Like a Child" Syndrome. Cities: Replacement child syndrome is characterized by parents using another pregnancy and subsequent child as a substitution for the child that they previously lost (Robertson & Kavanaugh, 1998).
They can experience social difficulties such as imaginary friends, make believe play and may be very shy. The Lost Child understands or feels the strain the family is under.

Being the youngest child, they may need to be taken care of even in a romantic relationship and will need a lot of attention from the loved one.

Unlike the golden child and the scapegoat – the lost child of a narcissist quickly comes to the conclusion that this family is … Alternately, the Lost child works well alone and is very self-reliant. The "Lost Child Syndrome" will discuss the various options that the other kids in the family can do when faced with the prospect of one of their brother or sister acting out. The Lost Child handles the stresses and emotions that dominate life in a family affected by addiction in a very different way from both the Family Hero and the Scapegoat. The “Lost Child Syndrome” addresses the different roles the other children take on within a family when they have an acting-out brother or sister. The term replacement child syndrome was coined from case reports of families who were raising children following the unexpected death of an older child. While the concept of the adult child was originally developed to explain the difficulties of men or women who grew up with an alcoholic or addict in the home, it is also valid for the adult children of narcissistic, traumatized, depressed, numbed, workaholic, abusive, 'borderline' or psychotic parents.

Find a Therapist. Adult Child Syndrome. As a result, they are often overlooked but this leaves them feeling lonely, rejected and isolated. Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today. The youngest child syndrome in relationships when they become adult. The Lost Child. The Lost Child is the invisible child. They may have a quirky sense of humor, are usually flexible and always resourceful. The conundrum is they get … The "lost child" refers to a coping and survival strategy, not specific people, that the most wounded child from an alcoholic, or dysfunctional family, takes; While it is referred to asv syndrome traits, it isn't a syndrome; it is a role. Thank you for the A2A!!

The lost child really is quite insightful to the emotionally dangerous family dynamics in a narcissistic family setting – and they pick up on the dysfunction at a very young age.

As a result, they try to minimize their demands on their parents and siblings. (S)He stays out of the way of problems and spends a lot of time alone. This is … The lost child may spend time alone to escape the problem.

They have already seen what happens to the scapegoat and want no part of that.

Getting in Your Own Way. The role the lost child sees for themselves is to not add any demands on the family system, be as low maintenance as possible. The Lost Child Role-Syndrome-Spectrum: Unsuccessful Coping Strategy. The “Lost Child Syndrome” addresses the different roles the other children take on within a family when they have an acting-out brother or sister. For such adult children shame is a given. They try to escape the family situation by making themselves very small and quiet. While these roles may be fleeting and subtle in nature, the family and remaining members are equally at risk, along with the acting-out child, who is demanding all the family’s focus, time and energy. They often are well-read and are good listeners. advertisement.

The burden is then carried beyond the early family, often untreated — making for the defining term adult child (of a dysfunctional family). Adult child syndrome is the effects an adult has from having lived with a parent that is alcoholic, aggressive, narcissistic, and other similar types. Mark Smith discusses the very painful role of the 'Lost Child' in dysfunctional families while referencing Sharon Wegscheider Cruse's book 'Another Chance' and …