Age regression occurs when a person reverts to a younger state of mind. They may regress a few years back from their current age or, in some cases, return to a child-like or infant-like state.
Regression is a normal and temporary condition for children, and it can be a coping mechanism for stress and untreated trauma in adults. Examples of regressive behaviors include baby talk, thumb-sucking, and temper tantrums. These behaviors can be voluntary or involuntary.
This article reviews the definition of age regression, its causes, and stigmas. It also discusses age regression as a part of psychological treatment.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/age-repression-therapy-5212676-DD-Final-797a8eac814a475baa15992494edaa5a.jpg "Age Regression: Trauma, Coping Mechanisms, and Therapy (1)")
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 does occur in adulthood as well.
People sometimes revert to childlike behavior to cope with 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.
Age regression may come and go, depending on the cause. It 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
Other examples of regressive behaviors include:
- 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, holding their breath)
- Inability to perform basic activities that could be done before
- Pretending not to understand
Age Regression in Children
Age regression is a normal part of development for infants and children of all ages, especially if they are overwhelmed or reach a new milestone.
This is temporary and usually resolves in a few weeks. Toddlers frequently throw temper tantrums, especially when afraid, tired, or hungry. They typically grow out of this before preschool or around 4 years old.
Condition-Related Behaviors
Regressive behaviors can stem from neurological, medical, or mental health conditions and may be a symptom of:
- Dissociative identity disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Catatonia
- Delirium
- Substance use disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Dementia
- Borderline personality disorder
- Mood disorders
- Depressive disorder
While involuntary age regression can be a symptom of mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative identity disorder, schizophrenia, or mood disorders, it is not a mental health condition in itself. Voluntary age regression is sometimes used to cope or for relaxation.
Voluntary Age Regression
For some, age regression is a deliberate choice used as a coping mechanism for past trauma, anxiety, or depression. Others voluntarily adopt childlike behaviors because it’s a way to deal with stress.
Voluntary age regression might include:
- Wearing baby clothes
- Sucking on a pacifier
- Being spoon-fed
- Using a sippy cup or baby bottle
- Playing with children’s toys
- Creating a safe space with childlike objects to feel more at peace
Agere: A Social Media Trend
Voluntary age regression is a maladaptive coping strategy promoted on social media, where it is often shortened to "agere." Some adolescents are exploring agere as a way to manage stress. Experts warn voluntary age regression can worsen symptoms of PTSD and make it more difficult to treat. Parents should keep an eye on their teen's social media use and be on the lookout for this potentially dangerous trend.
Age Regression From Trauma
Those who experienced trauma at an earlier time are more likely to regress, especially if the trauma occurred at a young age.
Age regression behaviors can be triggered by stressors or memories of trauma.
When It’s a Coping Mechanism
People learn ways to overcome, adapt to, or cope with stress as they mature. Coping mechanisms might include talking, journaling, or exercising. Age regression can occur when an adult is overwhelmed and does not have another way to cope or communicate distress.
Psychological Theories About Age Regression
There are several psychological theories about what causes age regression.
Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory
Sigmund Freud, a well-known neurologist from the 20th century, is considered the founder of psychoanalysis, a theory and therapy used to treat mental health disorders.
Freud defined age regression as an unconscious defense mechanism that causes the reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development instead of handling unacceptable impulses in a more adult manner. He said that this defense mechanism helps a person protect themselves from the effects of trauma, stress, and anger.
Types of Mental Health Therapy
The Ego, According to Freud
Freud’s use of the word "ego" means a sense of self that helps a person understand the world and what is real. This part of the personality includes judgment, tolerance, control, planning, and memory.
Anna Freud’s Motivated Forgetting Theory
Sigmund Freud’s daughter, Anna, elaborated on his studies. Anna developed specific tools for psychoanalysis or therapy with children. Rather than focus exclusively on talk therapy, she also engaged children through play or drawings.
She proposed that people psychologically regress under stress to an emotional time period when they felt safer.
Carl Jung
Carl Jung, a psychiatrist who founded analytical psychology, saw age regression more positively. Jung defined age regression as an attempt to achieve childhood innocence, security, love, and trust. His theory was that people revert to an age when they felt safer.
What Is a Psychologist? Expertise and Services
Working With a Therapist in Regressive Therapy
In different forms of psychotherapy, the patient might regress in certain ways. This can sometimes be a helpful and necessary way to rework maladaptive (inappropriate) defense mechanisms (including regression and acting out) in sessions with a therapist. It also can lead to more mature functioning outside of therapy sessions.
There are times, particularly in the face of certain types of trauma and personality disorders, in which regression can be overwhelming. This may require activeinterventions by the therapist to help the person manage these regressions in healthier ways.
Hypnotic Regression Benefits vs. Controversies
The goal of regressive hypnosis therapy, a form of hypnotherapy, is to actively help a person revisit memories and emotions from an earlier date.
Some therapists feel this can help patients access repressed memories and help them deal with painful experiences from the past. There is considerable evidence, however, that memories accessed through hypnosis are not reliable.
Hypnosis that focuses on regression remains controversial for several reasons, including:
- False memory syndrome: Memories gained during hypnosis are not trustworthy and can unintentionally create false memories.
- Preconceived ideas: The therapist may have ideas or opinions formed beforehand about clients that cause false or leading suggestions.
- Lack of training: Opponents argue that people performing hypnosis are not all trained therapists. Without proper training, they may not have the tools to help if significant emotional distress occurs.
If hypnosis sounds like something you want to try, it is important to find a qualified mental health professional with appropriate training.
When Hypnotherapy May Not Be the Best Option
Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for someone with hallucinations, delusions, or who uses drugs and alcohol.
Age Regression Stigmas
Age regression, whether voluntary or involuntary, is not considered sexual. It is a term used in psychology or medicine. This terminology refers to those who voluntarily or involuntarily regress to a younger state of mind.
Age regression can sometimes be confused with a sexual fetish, or a type of kink. A kink is a sexual activity that falls outside of what society considers conventional. Age play, a type of kink, is when someone pretends to be younger or role-plays during sexual activities.
Freud’s Definition of Psychosexual Stages
Some of this confusion over age regression and sexuality may be due to how Freud defined childhood developmental stages as focused pleasure-seeking energies. His psychosexual development theory posits that personality development throughout childhood takes place during five psychosexual stages. In this theory, each stage focuses on one erogenous area. Erogenous areas are parts of the body that are especially sensitive to sexual stimulation.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Age regression is often temporary in children, but if they regress for more than a few weeks, check with apediatrician for support. Adults with signs of age regression can consult with a healthcare provider or mental health professional who can help determine and treat the underlying cause and/or help them find other coping strategies.
Summary
Age regression, or when someone acts younger than their age, can be voluntary or involuntary. For children, involuntary regression is a typical and temporary behavior that is part of their normal growth and development.
Psychological theories about age regression in adults differ among some scientists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists. They propose a variety of possible causes, including a coping mechanism for stress, behavior related to certain medical or mental health conditions, and a state sometimes promoted in certain psychotherapies.
