‘Succession syndrome’ prevalent among wealthy households, psychiatrists warn

Roy siblings, Kendall, Shiv and Roman. Paracelsus says narcissistic personality disorder is common among children of wealthy and powerful families. Photograph: AP

As the hit HBO drama show Succession draws to an end, one of the world’s leading addiction treatment centres has warned of the prevalence of “Succession syndrome” whereby successful and wealthy households “create a deep-rooted fear of weakness and failure” in children.

Paracelsus Recovery is an international centre in London and Zurich that offers medical help, therapy and counselling for up to $132,000 (£107,000) a week. It said almost 40% of their patients struggle with Succession syndrome – a term used to refer to a range of mental health conditions and addiction problems affecting children of extremely affluent households.