Regression (psychology) facts for kids

Regression is a word used in psychology. It means when someone goes back to acting like a younger child, or using older, less grown-up ways to deal with problems. This often happens when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It's like your mind is trying to escape a difficult situation by going back to a time when things felt simpler.

What is Regression in Psychology?

Regression is a way our minds sometimes try to protect us from difficult feelings or situations. Instead of facing a problem in a grown-up way, a person might start behaving like they did when they were younger. This can be a way to avoid dealing with strong feelings or stress.

For example, if a teenager is very stressed about school, they might start sucking their thumb again, or demand that their parents do everything for them, like a much younger child. This isn't usually done on purpose; it's often an unconscious way the mind copes.

Why Do People Regress?

People might regress when they feel very stressed, scared, or overwhelmed. It's like their mind is trying to find comfort in a time when they felt safer or had fewer responsibilities. When we are young, adults often take care of our problems, so going back to that state can feel like a way to escape current difficulties.

Common Examples of Regression

A common example of regression is when someone "curls up into a ball." This is also known as the fetal position. People might do this when they are very stressed, sick, or hurt. It's a way of making themselves feel smaller and more protected, similar to how a baby might feel safe in a parent's arms.

Other examples can include:

• Becoming very clingy or dependent on others.
• Having temper tantrums, like a young child.
• Starting to wet the bed again after being toilet trained.
• Using baby talk or wanting to play with toys they outgrew.

These behaviors are not usually a choice. They are often an automatic response to feeling overwhelmed.

How is Regression Understood?

In psychology, especially in the ideas of Sigmund Freud, regression is seen as a "defence mechanism." This means it's one of the many ways our mind tries to protect itself from things that are too hard to handle. It's like a mental shield.

Understanding regression can help people learn healthier ways to cope with stress and difficult feelings as they grow up.

See also

In Spanish: Regresión (psicoanálisis) para niños