Age Regression: Trauma, Coping Mechanisms, and Therapy

Regression to age is psychological and mental condition in which what is age regression behavior changes to an earlier age. One can regress few years away from their present age, or in certain cases, go back to an infant-like condition.

Examples of regressive behaviors are baby talk, thumb sucking, and temper anger. They are either voluntary or involuntary. Regression is a normal, temporary occurrence in children, and as a way of coping with trauma and stress that is not treated for adults

What Is Age Regression?

Age regression is a temporary or long-term reversal of behavior to earlier states of development. It is normal and expected in children but also occurs in adulthood.

People sometimes revert to childlike behavior to cope with what is age regression trauma, stress, severe illness, or mental health disorders. Age regression can be unconscious (involuntary) or conscious (voluntary) behavior.

A subtle example is when a person who sucked their thumb as a child chews on a pen because they are stressed or trying to think. More severe regressions can include crying in a fetal position and bed-wetting.1

Age regression may occur with stress, traumatic memories, or triggers but then recede when these stressors abate. Regressive behaviors can be more persistent when they are related to a neurological condition like head trauma or dementia.

Age Regression Examples

Age Regression Examples
Other examples of regressive behaviors include:1
Lokko HN, Stern TA. Regression: Diagnosis, evaluation, and management. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3):10.4088. doi:10.4088/PCC.14f01761

.Baby talk
.Inability to self-soothe
.Whining
.Becoming mute (nonverbal)
.Using a doll or stuffed animal for comfort
.Rocking
.Pacing
.Physical aggression
Temper tantrums (outbursts, throwing things, kicking, breath-holding)
Inability to perform basic routine tasks (eating, toileting, and grooming)
Pretending not to understand

Age Regression in Children

The process of age regression can be a common aspect of what is age regression development for babies and kids of any age. It’s especially common when they’re overwhelmed or have reached a new milestone. It’s a temporary condition that usually disappears in several weeks.

For instance, in stressful times the child might revert to bed-setting or thumb sucking which were previously deemed beyond their reach.

Condition-Related Behaviors

Regressive behavior can be a result of medical, neurological or mental health issues and can be a sign or a symptom of 1

.DID (dissociative Identity Disorder)
.Schizophrenia
.Schizoaffective disorder
.Catatonia
..Delirium
.Substance use disorders
.Acute stress-related condition (PTSD)
.Dementia
..Borderline personality disorder
.Mood disorders
.Depressive disorder

Although involuntary age-related regression could be a sign of mental health issues such as PTSD and depression it’s not a mental illness in and of itself. It is a defense mechanism that can be used to create a calmer moment in life.

Voluntary Age Regression

For some, the process of age regression may be a deliberate what is age regression choice to cope for anxiety, past trauma or depression. Many people choose to engage in childlike behavior in order to manage anxiety. 1

Lokko HN, Stern TA. Regression: Diagnose and assessment as well as management. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3):10.4088. doi:10.4088/PCC.14f01761

Age regression that is voluntary could include:

Baby clothes
Doing a pacifier’s suck
The food that is served food
Utilizing a sippy cup or bottle for babies
Children playing with toys
Create a safe and secure space using toys for children to feel more peaceful

Agere: A Social Media Trend

Age regression that is voluntary is a non-adaptive strategy for what is age regression coping advertised on social media platforms, which often reduces it by “agere.” Many adolescents are exploring agere as a strategy to deal with stress. Experts warn that age-related regression involuntarily could exacerbate signs that are associated with PTSD which can make it harder to manage. Parents must keep an eye on their teenager’s use of social media and watch out for this risky trend.

Anna Freud’s Motivated Forgetting Theory

Sigmund Freud’s daughter Anna developed her own ideas on his research. Anna created specific tools for psychoanalysis, or therapy for children. Instead of focusing solely on talking therapy she also enthused children with drawing or play.

She suggested that people’s mental state declines in times of stress to a time that they feel more secure.

Carl Jung

Carl Jung, the psychiatrist who established the field of analytical psychology, saw age regression in a more positive light. Jung described age regression as a way to attain childhood innocence and security, love and confidence. Jung believed that people return to a time when they felt safe

Working With a Therapist in Regressive Therapy

In a variety of types of psychotherapy, someone may deliberately fall back in sessions with an therapy provider. This is often an effective and needed method of reworking the maladaptive (inappropriate) defensive strategies (including regression and expressing). This can result in more mature functioning in the absence of therapy.

There are instances, especially when dealing with specific types of trauma or personality disorders, when regression may be difficult to handle. It may be necessary to engage in active intervention by a therapist in order to help the client manage the regressions in a healthier way. 

Hypnotic Regression Benefits over. Controversies

The purpose of regressive hypnosis therapy, which is a type of hypnotherapy is to actively aid a person in revisiting emotions and memories that were previously experienced.

Certain therapists believe that this could assist people to access memories that are buried and heal painful memories that have occurred in the past. There is ample evidence that memories obtained by hypnosis do not have any validity.

Hypnotic Regression Benefits in comparison to. Controversies

The purpose of regressive hypnosis therapy, a type of hypnotherapy is to actively aid a person in revisiting memories and feelings from a previous time.

Therapists have a belief that hypnosis can assist people to access memories that are buried and heal painful memories that have occurred in the past. There is a lot of evidence that memories obtained by hypnosis do not have any validity.

Hypnosis that is focused on regression is still controversial due to a variety of reasons, such as:

True memory syndrome The memories that are triggered by the hypnosis process aren’t reliable and false memories could be accidentally created.
Preconceived notions Therapists could have developed opinions or ideas prior to the session that lead them to make erroneous or sweeping suggestions during sessions.
Insufficient training Opponents claim that hypnotists do not necessarily have the training of therapists. In the absence of adequate training, they might not be equipped to aid if an emotional crisis is a major one.

If you think hypnosis is something you’d like to explore it is essential to locate a certified mental health practitioner with the right training.

When Hypnotherapy May Not Be the Best Option

Hypnotherapy might not be suitable for people suffering from illusions and hallucinations or for those who drink alcohol or drugs.

Age Regression Stigma

A stigma refers to a negative perception or belief about an individual or group that implies a negative view of society. Mental health stigmas are known to be quite widespread.

Alternate regressions, whether it is voluntary or involuntary can be misinterpreted as a form of Kink (unconventional sexual preferences or behaviors) also known as “ageplay.” When playing with age, one plays (or pretends) to look younger when they are engaged in sexual activity.

But, age regression isn’t seen as sexually explicit by medical or psychiatric professionals.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Age regression is usually only temporary in children. However, should they experience regression for more than a few weeks talk to an pediatric physician to seek help.

Adults experiencing signs of regression should seek advice from the healthcare provider or mental health specialist who can diagnose and treat the root reason and/or assist them in developing different strategies to cope.

Summary

Age regression, also known as those who appear older than they are is either an involuntary, or not-so-voluntary event. Involuntary regression in children is a normal and temporary occurrence that is part of the normal development and growth of children.

The psychological theories regarding age regression for adults differ between researchers, neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists. They offer a variety of causes that could be involved, including the possibility of coping mechanisms for stress, a response to specific mental or medical illnesses, and the possibility of a condition that is promoted in certain psychotherapies.