I’m increasingly concerned about my 21-year-old stepdaughter who lives with us. Despite her age, she still has many childish tendencies, and most of her interests align with those of a much younger individual. She has a deep love for Disney movies and often spends hours watching them, which is something I would expect from a child, not a young grownup. She doesn’t have many friends and sits at home all days after college. She is quite capable of taking care of herself and doing small things around the house without being asked. But I must say she is rather immature. Her reaction to conflict or discomfort is often inappropriate for her age. Instead of engaging in a conversation about something she dislikes, she may throw a KitKat at me or show the middle finger, which is so infuriating!
Another issue is her emotional sensitivity. She gets upset over trivial matters and becomes angry very easily. It's incredibly challenging to have any kind of constructive dialogue with her because she takes everything personally. She’s been on medications for almost five years (maybe more, not sure) with official diagnoses of depression and social anxiety. Which only exacerbates all her tendencies. I mean, even the slightest bit of criticism or pressure can lead to her bursting into tears. My spouse and I are being very discreet around her, as any minor inconvenience or change can set off an emotional breakdown. She needs that my spouse be around her at home most of the time, she won’t even go shopping alone, presumably because she’s too anxious about it.
She has seen a therapist in the past, but I can’t say if it made any difference, my spouse was the one who chose the therapist and overlooked the process. I think they had some conflict, and my stepdaughter refused to continue. Don’t know the details. Anyhow, I worry that she hasn't been able to progress beyond these childish behaviors due to her mental health issues. I want to support her, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to do so when her responses are so disproportionate.
I'm concerned how it will impact her future. She needs to be able to handle life's challenges without our help (financial or emotional). I fear that she may be unsuccessful in relationships and work environments, if she continues like this. I need some guidance on how to help her change and thrive.
