Age Regressors, regression?

[CrazyLittleBuggaBoo]

I would like to learn more about age regression.

 

I saw somewhere that it could be term for someone who is kinda “stunted” due to trauma. I thought that regression(used for whatever reason) was controlled, in a scents. You regression and "un"regression. I know that not every one really has control over it... But still regression and not. Do some age regressors, or are some age regressors always regressed? Are there any age regressors that can answer this, or does anyone know of a good place I can learn more information from? I've been wanting to learn more about age regression for a few months, but google can be a rabbit hole so I wanted to ask before searching alone.

 

~BuggaBoo

[Puppy]

Age regression is often present in cases where trauma and abuse exist. It's sometimes used as a coping mechanism or even used in professional therapy. Age regression is as unique as a fingerprint for each and every individual. Somebody who practices age regression is not necessarily "stunted." For some, they can regress and deregress whenever they please. Some can also be triggered into regressing. 

 

There is a grey area as to what is considered age regression and what is considered DDlg. In reality, the two things can be interchangeable. A lot of people who practice DDlg also age regress. However, not all age regression is sexual in nature, and not all age regression involves BDSM.  

[CrazyLittleBuggaBoo]

Age regression is often present in cases where trauma and abuse exist. It's sometimes used as a coping mechanism or even used in professional therapy. Age regression is as unique as a fingerprint for each and every individual. Somebody who practices age regression is not necessarily "stunted." For some, they can regress and deregress whenever they please. Some can also be triggered into regressing. 

 

There is a grey area as to what is considered age regression and what is considered DDlg. In reality, the two things can be interchangeable. A lot of people who practice DDlg also age regress. However, not all age regression is sexual in nature, and not all age regression involves BDSM.  

Thank you When I saw the part about possible "stunted" it made me think. I'm always in Little Space, it's just me, my personality. Like my mind just stopped ageing while my body went on. I can try to force myself to think in an adult matter but I don't feel like I have anymore of an understand of the reality of being an adult as like a 15/16year old. I don't age regress and it's not something I gave to much thought to. But then I thought, if it's something some regressors can't really control and something some regressors deal with 24/7  then that sounds like what I deal with. And that really makes me wonder and want to learn more about it.

 

I know that Age Regression isn't a BDSM(CG/L) thing even thought there are cross overs, and that it can be a very touchy topic for many.

[Teddy Bear]

I have a question, so is age regression a bad thing?

[Puppy]

Thank you When I saw the part about possible "stunted" it made me think. I'm always in Little Space, it's just me, my personality. Like my mind just stopped ageing while my body went on. I can try to force myself to think in an adult matter but I don't feel like I have anymore of an understand of the reality of being an adult as like a 15/16year old. I don't age regress and it's not something I gave to much thought to. But then I thought, if it's something some regressors can't really control and something some regressors deal with 24/7  then that sounds like what I deal with. And that really makes me wonder and want to learn more about it.

 

I know that Age Regression isn't a BDSM(CG/L) thing even thought there are cross overs, and that it can be a very touchy topic for many.

 

As long as you're able to force yourself to think like an adult when needed, you can call it what you want. Regression is sometimes involuntarily but I do not consider that a bad thing. I do recommend reading more up on it. If I can I'll try to find some credible sources for further research!

 

 

I have a question, so is age regression a bad thing?

 

By default, no, age regression is not a bad thing. If it gets in the way of your life, work, and relationships (like with any other thing), then it becomes unhealthy. Age regression is commonly used as a positive coping mechanism, and for others it's used as a way to escape the day-to-day that most adults are faced with. 

[Puppy]

Here is an article on therapeutic age regression. It's a little outdated, but I skimmed through it and there is some valuable information. It's based on hypnotic age regression which is separate from DDlg related age regression. One part that stuck out to me that you might be interested in, as you mentioned you always feel little but can force yourself to thing like an adult when needed: 

It has been repeatedly demonstrated, for instance, that the adult does not lose adult knowledge and abilities during age regression.

 

Here is some information on regressing as a coping mechanism. 

Edited November 16, 2017 by Puppy

[Teddy Bear]

Thank you so much for the help I truly do appreciate it

[CrazyLittleBuggaBoo]

Here is an article on therapeutic age regression. It's a little outdated, but I skimmed through it and there is some valuable information. It's based on hypnotic age regression which is separate from DDlg related age regression. One part that stuck out to me that you might be interested in, as you mentioned you always feel little but can force yourself to thing like an adult when needed: 

 

Here is some information on regressing as a coping mechanism. 

Thanks you so much, you've been so nice and helpful! I appreciate that a bunch

[Princesspoopybutt]

I regress tho have had no major trauma i use it to help cope with mental illness there are some features that i have in my big personality such as liking stuffies that is exaggerated but i do still feel it when big (so i guess i always feel) there are also acts that i do when big and im not regressed because they help me calm for example sucking on a paci can stop or help a panic attack or it can stop me over thinking. In short i personally am not always regressed but i always have regressed charatoristics and acts

[Lil' Miss Dolly]

Yay! Psych stufff 

 

*puts on super serious adult glasses*

 

Okay, so Regression comes pretty much in 2 forms - Voluntary and Involuntary. Age Play is a form of Voluntary regression in the idea that we control it. It isn't triggered and inescapable. We can pop in and out of it and go about our daily lives and by We I mean mentally and emotionally healthy people. It is also used in behavior therapy and has some pretty interesting studies surrounding its success rates. Some fall into the grey area of that and use Age Regression as a coping mechanism but I'll cover that in a second.

 

True Involuntary Regression is closely related to PTSD where you have triggers. You see it a lot in Sexual Abuse survivors (but not limited to these cases)- Normally who experienced that abuse before the age of 12 - 14. Over the age of 12-14 its more common to see sexual risk taking than full age regression due to a change of hormones and the sexual self identity that begins at puberty blah blah blah. This regression is not controllable, not welcomed and much like a severe anxiety attack.. not easily passed. Its triggered by a bunch of stuff including scents & sounds - I had a client once who would be triggered by the feeling of a bare mattress on her back. Triggers are as different as each persons experiences but are tied to the basic senses. This is also dependent on the kind of response and therapy the person received at the time. 

 

The grey area is those with mental illnesses or mood disorders who use regression as a way to cope with stress & Anxiety. While completely Voluntary at a base level.. it feels as though it isn't or harder to pull ourselves out of. Anything that releases certain brain chemicals can make us feel good and we can become dependent on that. It becomes a mental escape.. same idea as emotional eating. The juries out on how much damage this actually does in a world where our bodies are pumped full of anti depressants but in my opinion.. it's the lesser of 2 evils in comparison but still an evil and I will always advocate for behavior therapies and healthy coping skills before anything else.

 

In no cases does it indicate stunted emotional development - If under development is present in the patient.. it's due to other factors. However, Using regression as an escape for mood disorders without seeking help from a professional can stunt mental maturity and coping. There's another thread doing right now that touches on that. When you hide in age regression, without learning healthy coping skills you can become dependent on a caregiver and dependence in any form is bad. Very, Very bad.

 

So. TL;DR - 2 basic forms of regression, Involuntary is like a triggered anxiety attack(bad), Voluntary has a bunch of uses including hypno/behavior therapy (good), Some people with a mood disorder use it as a coping mechanism like emotional eating (not horrible but not great), Always seek professional help if you think you have a Mood Disorder (yay!), Regression doesn't stunt emotional development but if taken too far can cause dependence on a CG which in turns stunts maturity and coping (Booo). 

 

K I think I'm done adulting for today... I need a nap. 

 

**Disclosure** I may have missed a few things as I haven't picked up my psych text books in about 10 years but the above info is taken from a decade in mental health & addictions with lots of experience with women in the sex trade - I'm not a doctor nor a registered psychiatrist - Just a social worker who has seen some shit**

Edited November 26, 2017 by Lil' Miss Dolly