What is good girl syndrome and how to detect it early

Surely, if it doesn’t happen to you, it is very likely that you know someone very close to you who suffers from it. Regard “good girl syndrome”, a term coined by an American psychotherapist that has spread throughout the world. But What it is and what symptoms to watch out for.

The reference is to the American psychotherapist Beverly Engel for his book The good girl syndrome AND? It especially affects womenalthough it also occurs in men, second RAC1.

The obedient and compliant nature of a child who deserves all the praise from adults is probably not that useful.

And this is not limited to childhood – because others take advantage of them or are even targets of harassment – ​​nor to adulthood, decades later, when they must fight to Find your place within a team of professionals.

Engel focused on a series of dynamics that are acquired, especially by the female population, over the course of life, which tend to worry more about how others perceive them, which exude an attitude of kindness and sweetness, rather than strength and self-protection .

Precisely because of the title of the book, experts in the world of psychology call the psychological framework of people who meet those characteristics.

The author, who also specializes in domestic violence, talks in her work about how on many occasions society tends to do this reward this type of behavior.

Just like with physical health, It is always important to consult a professional to provide the best diagnosis and subsequent treatment if necessary.

What are the characteristics of good girl syndrome

According to publications, these are some of the more detailed traits that people suffering from this syndrome usually present HuffPost.

Not knowing how to say “no”

Not knowing how to set limits It’s one of the characteristics of good girl syndrome.

To fix it, experts recommend starting by setting limits for other people on issues that aren’t particularly relevant.

In this way, little by little, will gain confidence what you need to extrapolate this practice to the circumstances that matter most to you, they explain.

Smile, even without wanting to

Another sign that a person suffers from this syndrome is that he smiles, even when he has no reason to.

Popular sayings, such as “if you cry, you will look ugly”, are at the root, among other reasons, of why some people tend to think that It is not clear that they express themselves according to their emotions.

Be accommodating to win the sympathy of others

Specialists also point out that it is a trait to have confidence that if you are kind to others, everyone will give you their approval and you will be satisfied. obtaining acceptance of the remainder.

However, it is clear that this is not always possible. Therefore, people with good girl syndrome They tend to be self-demanding.

Be afraid of disappointing others

People with this psychological condition usually think about what is happening around them, for example The feelings or emotions of others are your responsibility.

Therefore, they try to make others feel satisfied when they are with him or her, because this directly affects them.

Little tolerance for criticism

Criticism, regardless of whether it is constructive or not, can be interpret in different ways and each person manages the information provided to them in the way that best suits them or is capable of doing so.

In the case of those who suffer from good girl syndrome, They tend to be particularly put off by criticism. Therefore, experts recommend learning to accept them.

What causes good girl syndrome?

Good girl syndrome can have several underlying causes. While each person is unique and individual experiences may vary, the site of Clinic of psychology and psychoanalysis lists some possible causes that contribute to the appearance of this syndrome:

Cultural and social expectations. Society and culture can impose certain behavioral expectations on women. These pressures can influence personality formation.

Education and education. Family environment and education can also play an important role in the development of the syndrome.

Past experiences. Whether they are negative or traumatic, such as rejection, abuse, or the invalidation of our opinions and desires, they can contribute to the development of good girl syndrome.

Low self-esteem and lack of confidence. Constantly seeking the approval of others can become a way to compensate for a lack of confidence in your own abilities.

It’s worth noting that these are just some of the possible causes of good girl syndrome, and that each person may have a unique combination of factors, specialists warn.