Beware good girl syndrome, which can lead to stomach issues, headaches and sleep problems

Good girl gone mad.Here’s a health quiz: Do you put everyone else’s needs above your own? Do you have a hard time saying the word “no”? Do you live in fear of people being mad at you? And do you also have a tummy ache?If so, you might just have “good girl syndrome” — so says Diane Lange, a therapist and “positive living expert” whose most recent book, “Worthy,” seeks to help women break free of feelings of unworthiness and people-pleasing patterns.

Good girl syndrome isn’t just in your head — it can also make you physically ill.“Many women have [good girl syndrome],” Lange told The Post.“Many of us were raised to be the nurturer, to be quiet and make sure everybody else is happy.It’s a learned trait.  Men can be people pleasers but it’s mostly women that I see who deal with being a people pleaser because of the way we are raised.”A former people-pleaser herself, Lange is familiar with the psychological symptoms of good girl syndrome, which include having no boundaries, fear of conflict and self-expression, “perfectionism and always putting everyone in front of you [because] they are more important than you are.”But not everyone is aware that this exhausting and anxiety-inducing behavior also takes a physical toll in the form of “the same symptoms as stress — stomach issues, headaches, affects your sleep, can cause appetite changes,” she said.

If you think you or someone you love has good girl syndrome, the good news is, there’s a cure.The first step, according to Lange, is admitting that you have it by “being self-aware of your behaviors.” “Learn about boundaries and start setting them, which includes learning to say no and having self-care,” she advised.Next, she recommends slowly taking “baby steps of doing self-care — it could be as simple as going to bed earlier, eating foods that are good for you and taking a walk.

Add some mindfulness into your routine to help destress and become self-aware.�...