Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Age Regression?VoluntaryInvoluntaryPsychological TheoriesRegressive TherapyStigmaWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Age Regression?
Voluntary
Involuntary
Psychological Theories
Regressive Therapy
Stigma
When to Seek Medical Care
Age regression is a mental and emotional state during which behavior reverts to a younger age. A person may regress a few years from their current age or, in some cases, return to a child- or infant-like state.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
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 withtrauma,stress, severe illness, ormental 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 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:
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. It’s a temporary state and usually resolves within a few weeks.
For example, during times of stress, a child may regress to thumb-sucking or bed-setting behaviors that had previously been outgrown.
Condition-Related Behaviors
Regressive behaviors can stem from neurological, medical, or mental health conditions and may be a symptom of:
While involuntary age regression can be a symptom of mental health disorders like PTSD or depression, it is not a mental health condition in itself. Voluntary age regression is a defense mechanism used to evoke a low-stress time of life.
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:
Agere: A Social Media TrendVoluntary 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.
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.
When It’s a Coping MechanismPeople 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.
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.
The Ego, According to FreudFreud’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.
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.
Types of Mental Health Therapy
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, the psychiatrist who founded analytical psychology, viewed 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.
Specialty Areas in Psychology
Working With a Therapist in Regressive Therapy
In different forms of psychotherapy, a person might deliberately regress during sessions with a therapist. This can sometimes be a helpful and necessary way to rework maladaptive (inappropriate) defense mechanisms (including regression and acting out). It also can lead to more mature functioning outside of therapy sessions.
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 people access repressed memories and 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:
If hypnosis sounds like something you want to try, it is important to find a qualifiedmental health professionalwith appropriate training.
When Hypnotherapy May Not Be the Best OptionHypnotherapy may not be appropriate for someone withdelusionsorhallucinations, or for people who use drugs and alcohol.
When Hypnotherapy May Not Be the Best Option
Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for someone withdelusionsorhallucinations, or for people who use drugs and alcohol.
The Debate Over Repressed and Recovered Memories
Age Regression Stigma
A stigma is a negative attitude or idea about a person or group that suggests societal disapproval. Mental health stigmas tend to be very common.
Age regression, whether voluntary or involuntary, can sometimes be confused with a type of kink (unconventional sexual taste or behavior) known as “ageplay.” During ageplay, someone role-plays or pretends to be younger, often during sexual activity.
Freud’s Psychosexual Development TheorySome confusion related to age regression and sexuality may be due to how Freud defined childhood developmental stages as focused, pleasure-seeking energies. His theory asserts that personality and sexuality evolve duringfive psychosexual stages. In this theory, each stage focuses on one of five erogenous areas (parts of the body that are especially sensitive to sexual stimulation).
Freud’s Psychosexual Development Theory
Some confusion related to age regression and sexuality may be due to how Freud defined childhood developmental stages as focused, pleasure-seeking energies. His theory asserts that personality and sexuality evolve duringfive psychosexual stages. In this theory, each stage focuses on one of five erogenous areas (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 apediatricianfor support.
Adults with signs of age regression should consult with a healthcare provider or mental health professional who can determine and treat the underlying cause and/or help them develop 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.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lokko HN, Stern TA.Regression: Diagnosis, evaluation, and management.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3):10.4088. doi:10.4088/PCC.14f01761O’Donovan AJ, Cardiel Sam H, Lagman JG.Voluntary age regression entering “headspace” in a child with post-traumatic stress disorder.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22131. doi:10.7759/cureus.22131Freud Museum of London.Anna Freud and child psychoanalysis.American Psychology Association.Age regression.Williamson A.What is hypnosis and how might it work?Palliat Care. 2019;12. doi:10.1177/1178224219826581American Psychology Association.False memory.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lokko HN, Stern TA.Regression: Diagnosis, evaluation, and management.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3):10.4088. doi:10.4088/PCC.14f01761O’Donovan AJ, Cardiel Sam H, Lagman JG.Voluntary age regression entering “headspace” in a child with post-traumatic stress disorder.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22131. doi:10.7759/cureus.22131Freud Museum of London.Anna Freud and child psychoanalysis.American Psychology Association.Age regression.Williamson A.What is hypnosis and how might it work?Palliat Care. 2019;12. doi:10.1177/1178224219826581American Psychology Association.False memory.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lokko HN, Stern TA.Regression: Diagnosis, evaluation, and management.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3):10.4088. doi:10.4088/PCC.14f01761O’Donovan AJ, Cardiel Sam H, Lagman JG.Voluntary age regression entering “headspace” in a child with post-traumatic stress disorder.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22131. doi:10.7759/cureus.22131Freud Museum of London.Anna Freud and child psychoanalysis.American Psychology Association.Age regression.Williamson A.What is hypnosis and how might it work?Palliat Care. 2019;12. doi:10.1177/1178224219826581American Psychology Association.False memory.
Lokko HN, Stern TA.Regression: Diagnosis, evaluation, and management.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(3):10.4088. doi:10.4088/PCC.14f01761
O’Donovan AJ, Cardiel Sam H, Lagman JG.Voluntary age regression entering “headspace” in a child with post-traumatic stress disorder.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22131. doi:10.7759/cureus.22131
Freud Museum of London.Anna Freud and child psychoanalysis.
American Psychology Association.Age regression.
Williamson A.What is hypnosis and how might it work?Palliat Care. 2019;12. doi:10.1177/1178224219826581
American Psychology Association.False memory.
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