When a person experiences childhood trauma, it can stick with them. That’s particularly the case when they don’t receive therapy or address what happened to them as a child. When there’s a lack of attention to a person’s trauma, it could result in mental health issues later on in life. Some adults experience regressive behavior. Regression means that the person in question is triggered by something stressful or that reminds them of their trauma, and that results in them reverting to a simpler time as a child. Regressive behavior can cause severe mental health concerns for adults if left untreated. Here are some ways that regression can impact an adult.
Regression keeps a person stagnated
One issue that people have when they regress frequently is that it keeps them stagnated in a child’s mental state. Regression is, by definition, going back to the past. It means that you were not moving forward in your life. You may not understand why you’re regressing because you’re unfamiliar with the term and its origins. It can help to educate yourself about it. You can read more about why we regress at MyTherapist. One thing to keep in mind is that regression happens to all of us, but it’s not always a positive thing. It could stunt your emotional growth. You’re returning to a younger version of yourself and not embracing your identity as an adult. It can have an impact on every area of your life. Perhaps you behave and a Peter Pan type away where you don’t want to be an adult. This prevents you from getting or keeping a job. Maybe you have difficulty committing to romantic relationships. It keeps you stagnated when you regress. Interpersonal relationships can be challenging because of regression.
Regression impacts interpersonal relationships
When you regress to the state of a child, you may not see yourself as a capable adult. You might not believe that you can be in a romantic relationship. Having a long-term partner seems daunting to you. That is likely because you believe that you’re a child. Children don’t have to commit to long-term relationships. An adult can handle those affairs. Regression prevents you from embracing the concept of settling down with a long-term partner or starting a family of your own. It could also have an impact on your friendships. If you are perpetually in a childlike state, your friends may see you as immature and not want to become close to you; they don’t feel like they can relate to you. They may grow tired of your childlike or infantile behavior. It’s crucial to address these regression issues so that you can maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
When you regress, you’re not embracing the now
Regression keeps a person stuck in the past. You are focusing on memories rather than the present. They may be pleasant recollections, but you’re not embracing what’s going on right now. Regression robs you of the opportunity to be mindful of the present moment. You’re stuck in your imagination while life goes on around you. That’s a difficult mental state to be in for a long period. That’s why it’s critical to get back to the source of your regression so that you can come back to the present moment and start enjoying life.
A person who regresses isn’t embracing their adult identity
After you bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood, you have formed somewhat of an identity. When you’re regressing, you are not embracing your identity as an adult. It’s doing you a disservice because you are not able to see yourself as a capable person. As a child, you are so formulating who you are and how you relate to the world. An adult has a firm foundation of how they see themselves and their place in society. Regression makes it impossible to fully embrace your identity as a grown-up, which is why it’s important to look at the reasons you’re regressing to a childhood state, confront them, and move forward with the help of a therapist.
Regression is a diversion from healing from trauma
Regression is often due to a person experiencing trauma. If you continue to regress, you’re using it as a defense mechanism from dealing with your trauma. You are focusing on something pleasant rather than looking at what happened to you and starting to heal from it. Instead of diverting from the real issue and it’s time to find a mental health professional who can help you examine your trauma and find ways to heal.
Get help for regression
If you’re in a continual state of regression, it’s time to get help. A mental health professional understands the sources of regression and can help explore them with you. You don’t need to try to fix this issue on your own. Regression can be the sign of some serious mental health issues such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome), Dissociative Identity Disorder, or unresolved trauma. You don’t have to have a diagnosis to engage in regression. There are multiple reasons for this behavior. The most important thing is that you start to examine these problems with a mental health professional who understands them. You can reach out for help so that you can start living in the now and stop looking back to the past.
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