Does wanting to be a child again point towards a Disorder? (Age regression)
By
PsychReel
In this blog, we will answer the question, “Does wanting to be a child again point towards a Disorder”, and also cover what is age regression, the types of age regression, tips on dealing with age regression, and also answer frequently asked questions.
Does wanting to be a child again point towards a Disorder? (Age regression)
Yes, wanting to be a child again can be a sign of Age regression but it is not a disorder or a medically recognized condition.
It is more of a condition but it can affect one’s life if they are not able to come out of this condition. It can be a sign of another disorder but that can be only best judged by a professional trained to deal with such things.
When someone reverts to a younger state of mind, it is known as age regression. It’s possible that this retreat is only a few years younger than the person’s actual age. It could potentially be considerably younger, infancy, or even early childhood.
What is Age Regression?
Age regression can be defined as a phenomenon in which a person reverts to a younger state of mind, this is referred to as age regression.
People who have age regression may begin to exhibit infantile behaviors such as thumb-sucking or complaining. Others may refuse to have adult conversations or deal with their problems.
In psychology and hypnotherapy, age regression is sometimes employed. It can also be utilized as a stress-reduction technique or as a self-help tool.
Continue reading to learn when and why age regression might be utilized, as well as what it might accomplish.
Famous Psychologists and their views on Age Regression
Age regression, according to Sigmund Freud, is an unconscious protective mechanism. It was a mechanism for the ego to defend itself against trauma, stress, and fury.
Others, on the other hand, see age regression as a means for people to reach a therapeutic aim. It could be utilized to aid a patient’s recall of traumatic or painful experiences. The therapist can then assist their patient in fully recovering from those events.
Carl Jung, a psychiatrist, believed that age regression was not a way to get away from anything. Age regression, he believed, could be a wonderful experience. It has the potential to make people feel more youthful, less stressed, and more open.
There are numerous types of age regression theories among all of them.
It is also possible to age backwards when having a flashback. These situations are particularly tough since they can result in reliving the trauma, which can exacerbate suffering and keep the individual in a dissociative state.
Different types of age regression
Each of these types of age regression has two things in common:
Regressed people have a younger mental state than their physical age. The number of years varies from person to person and from kind to type. Age regression is not sexual in any sense.
Age regression as a symptom of different mental disorders
A medical or psychological problem could cause age regression. Some people who are distressed or in pain, for example, may revert to juvenile behavior to cope with their anxiety or dread.
Age regression is more common as a result of certain mental health conditions. One of the following conditions could cause age regression:
- Schizophrenia
- Borderline personality disorder
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Dissociative identity disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Dementia
When people with personality disorders come face to face with traumatic memories or triggers, they may experience age regression. The age regression could be spontaneous in this scenario.
Furthermore, when people get older, some may begin to regress to an earlier age. This could be an indication of dementia. It could also be a coping method for people who are concerned about the effects of ageing.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
Age regression and its Clinical use
Age regression can be utilized as a therapeutic strategy in clinical settings. Hypnotherapy and age regression are two techniques used by certain mental health experts to help people return to unpleasant times in their lives. They can then assist them in overcoming the trauma and finding recovery.
This practice, however, is divisive. According to some specialists, it may be feasible to “uncover” erroneous memories. Furthermore, it is unknown how trustworthy these “recovered” memories are.
Age regression for recovery from a traumatic event:
People who have experienced trauma in the past may be more likely to relapse. People who have been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID), formerly known as multiple personality disorder, may experience age regression.
Among the many personalities of people with this disease is often a younger personality. However, it’s thought that the “small” isn’t a distinct personality. It could be a regressive version of the original personality, instead.
To put it another way, a person with DID may be aware of everything.
Age regression is a type of protection against worry or uneasiness in this scenario. Particular events or pressures can cause this form of age regression.
Age regression as a self-help tool
Others may be consciously regressing in age. Some people may want to revert to a younger stage as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. They can even go back in time to a younger age to avoid difficult situations or personal concerns.
Age regression can help you revert to a point in your life when you felt loved, cared for, and secure as a sort of self-help. In that sense, it’s possible that this will be a positive experience.
Age regression, on the other hand, could be a symptom of a broader mental health problem. You should discuss this practice with a mental health professional. They can teach you how to use it safely. They can also assess your experiences to see whether you require a different form of treatment.
Age regression is not a sexual fantasy or recreational activity
Age regression is never thought to be sexual. It’s a form of a protective system that permits you to mentally travel back in time.
This is not the same as faking to be younger. Indeed, as part of a hobby, sexual desire, or kink, some people portray themselves as several years younger than they are.
Some members of fandom communities, for example, may employ costumes and portrayals to “appear” to be younger and more naive. This is not the same as true age regression.
Is age regression risky?
Age regression carries no intrinsic risk. If you use it for self-help or relaxation, make sure you’re in a secure environment and with individuals who understand the technique.
If, on the other hand, you find yourself reverting to a younger age through no fault of your own, you should get help from a mental health specialist. You could be displaying signs of an underlying problem that requires a different approach.
Who is affected by age regression?
Age regression is typical in those who have undergone trauma, particularly childhood abuse. There is no limit to how far a person can fall. People may be unaware that they are regressing.
When you mentally travel back in time, you experience age regression. In every sense, you believe you’ve returned to that period in your life, and you may show juvenile habits as well.
Some people like to regress to a younger age. It could be a coping method to assist individuals to relax and eliminate stress in this scenario.
Age regression may be a sign of a mental health disorder such as dissociative identity disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Age regression and psychotherapy
A lot of psychotherapists often use age regression as a therapeutic technique. A mental health expert can assist you in returning to a point in your life when you were abused or traumatized. From there, you can collaborate to heal.
Speak with your healthcare practitioner if you experience symptoms of age regression or if you want to learn more.
How to deal with Age regression?
Tips to deal with age regression:
- Safety Scripts
Safety scripts are beneficial for people who commonly experience age regression and flashbacks. What the safety script says is up to the individual and his or her needs, but it should include “My name is…” “I am [however many] years old.” and “I am safe.” are both appropriate statements.
Keep the safety script in a convenient location, such as your wallet, backpack, or desk drawer, so you may refer to it whenever you find yourself regressing.
- Age progression
This is another approach to deal with age regression. Try to figure out what age you think you are. If you don’t know the actual age, make an educated guess.
Then gradually work your way up. If you feel 10 years old, recognise that age and then gradually increase it at a comfortable pace until you reach your true age. Remind yourself that you are not in danger.
- Work on this with your therapist
Therapy will helpyou understand the triggers of wanting to be a child again. How do you feel before going through age regression? What changes have you noticed in your body? What is the state of your mind? When you start to recognise the indicators, you can start working on a plan to keep you as healthy as possible.
- Seek support from your loved ones
Finally, don’t be scared to rely on your support systems. Inform them of the symptoms of your age regression. Tell them how they may assist you in returning to the present moment.
Conclusion
We discussed what can wanting to be a child again feel like, what age regression is, types of age regression, how it is used in therapy as a tool, and also tips on how to deal with it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Does wanting to be a child again point towards a Disorder? (Age regression)
What mental illness causes you to behave like a child?
Munchausen syndrome via proxy (also known as factitious disorder forced on another) occurs when you pretend that the person you’re caring for (for example, a youngster, a disabled individual, or an elderly person) has a medical or mental condition when the person is not genuinely unwell.
Why do adults revert to their childhood selves?
Adults can regress due to insecurity, fear, or rage. Individuals essentially revert to a moment in their development when they felt safer and less stressed, or when an all-powerful parent or another adult would have rescued them.
What exactly is Munchausen Syndrome?
Factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy) occurs when someone fraudulently asserts that another person has physical or psychological signs or symptoms of sickness, or causes harm or disease in another person in order to deceive others.
What exactly is Ganser syndrome?
People with Ganser syndrome exhibit strange behavior in short bursts, comparable to people with other significant mental diseases. The individual may appear perplexed, make odd statements, and describe hallucinations such as experiencing objects that are not there or hearing voices.
What factors contribute to anosognosia?
Anosognosia, according to experts, is caused by injury to a brain area involved in self-reflection. Everyone, regardless of health, is continually revising their mental image of themselves.
What exactly is the failure to launch syndrome?
It’s the phenomena of adult children failing to transition to adulthood, often known as failure to launch or Peter Pan syndrome.
Reference
