What Causes Age Regression? Trauma, Stress, and Coping

Key Takeaways

Age regression occurs when someone acts younger than their age. It can be voluntary or involuntary. For children, involuntary regression is a typical and temporary behavior that is part of their normal growth and development.
Experts propose a variety of possible causes for age regression in adults, including a coping mechanism for stress, behavior related to certain medical or mental health conditions, and a state sometimes promoted in certain psychotherapies.

Age regression is a mental and emotional state during which a person’s behavior reverts to patterns associated with someone who is a younger age. Regression is a normal and temporary condition in children and a coping mechanism for stress and untreated trauma in adults.

Verywell / Danie Drankwalter

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 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 occur with stress, traumatic memories, or triggers, but then recedes 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, whining, or adopting childlike mannerisms
Inability to self-soothe
Thumb sucking, using a pacifier
Becoming mute (nonverbal)
Using a doll or stuffed animal for comfort
Rocking or 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
Avoiding responsibilities
Seeking physical comfort from another person such as a caregiver

Mental Health Conditions Associated With Age Regression

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.

Why Adults May Engage in 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 explore agere as a way to manage stress. Experts warn that no studies have been done on these techniques, and voluntary age regression can potentially worsen symptoms of PTSD, making 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.

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-wetting behaviors that had previously been outgrown.

What Are the 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 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, 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. He also believed that people revert to an age when they felt safer.

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 can also 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 active interventions 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 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:

False memory syndrome: Memories gained during hypnosis are not trustworthy, and false memories may be unintentionally created.
Preconceived ideas: The therapist may have formed ideas or opinions beforehand that cause them to make false or leading suggestions during sessions.
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 you’re interested in hypnosis, 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 delusions or hallucinations, or for people who use drugs and alcohol.

Age Regression and Mental Health 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.

However, age regression is not considered inherently sexual by psychiatric or medical professionals.

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 during five 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 a pediatrician for support.

Adults with signs of age regression should consult with a healthcare provider or mental health professional, especially if the behavior:

Is severe or prolonged
Impacts day-to-day function or interferes with personal relationships
Occurs alongside other symptoms of a mental health condition

A mental health professional can help determine and treat the underlying cause and/or help the affected person develop other coping strategies.