What Does Regression Mean?

In psychoanalytic theory, regression is usually defined as an unconscious defense mechanism involving the return to a previous stage of development. While it can be common in childhood, regression may also occur in adults when feelings of anxiety, insecurity, fear, and anger arise. Regression may be emotional, social, behavioral, or a combination of all three. Seeking treatment through online or in-person therapy can help you overcome regressive behaviors and develop more effective coping skills. 

Types of defense mechanisms

According to Sigmund and Anna Freud's psychoanalytic theories, defense mechanisms may offer a way for the unconscious to protect a person from anxiety stemming from uncomfortable (or unacceptable) thoughts and feelings. By distorting reality to varying degrees, defense mechanisms can present a way for the person to cope with a given situation. 

Traditionally, there are six types of defense mechanisms, and they are either considered to be mature (helpful) or immature (less helpful), depending on the degree to which they distort reality. Defense mechanisms can include the following:

Repression

Repression can be seen as a coping strategy of the ego that blocks disturbing thoughts and feelings from the conscious mind.

Denial

Denial generally refers to a refusal to recognize external events or facts, blocking them from one's awareness. This is usually tied to situations that overwhelm the individual.

Regression

A child or adult may revert to a previous stage of development in which they felt safer and didn’t experience as much stress. This previous state can serve as a refuge. 

Projection

This can be considered the ego's strategy to transfer one's own unacceptable or troubling feelings onto someone else.

Displacement

This strategy typically enables people to find a substitute target onto which they can channel their feelings. 

Sublimation

With sublimation, an individual typically seeks to satisfy an impulse with a substitute that is acceptable to society and themselves, like sports or creative outlets.

In addition to these six strategies, other defense mechanisms can include rationalization, reaction formation, introjection, and identification with the aggressor. 

Recognizing regressive behavior

Many people employ defense mechanisms in their lives to varying degrees. However, the degree and form they take may be seen as problematic. A person experiencing regression, for example, may use a childish tone of voice when facing a stressful situation. A spouse may fear expressing a certain desire directly, such as a wish to quit their job, and instead become non-functioning at work or throw a tantrum during a minor disagreement with their partner. 

A person with an illness may regress when facing a lot of stress in a hospital environment, which may manifest as assuming a fetal position, cuddling a stuffed animal, rocking, bed-wetting, and displaying other symptoms of distress.

Possible causes of regression

Regression may stem from physical, neurological, or psychological conditions, depending on the individual and their situation. 

Regression can be harmful or harmless to the individual. However, some psychoanalysts, like Carl Jung and Ernst Kris, argued that regressive behavior might also serve a positive function, where one tries to regain a significant loss, such as a sense of safety, trust, or affection.

Possible manifestations of regressive behavior

A person experiencing regression may exhibit behavior similar to that of a child to soothe themselves and reduce stress in the short term. 

Various mental and physical conditions may contribute to and act as triggers for regressive behaviors. These can include dementia, dissociative disorders, borderline personality disorder, and substance misuse. A clinician may identify the cause of the behavior to inform the appropriate treatment approach for a client.

Approaches that may address regressive impulses

In general, to address the regressive behavior, its underlying cause(s) must first be identified. Treatment can include pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and behavioral treatments. Always consult your doctor before starting or stopping any form of medication.

Therapy for managing regressive behavior

Certain types of therapeutic approaches can help people experiencing regression access suppressed emotions and trauma that may impact their current behavior and feelings. Other therapeutic approaches may address the symptoms of mental health conditions associated with regression and introduce coping techniques to handle stressors. Therapies may include:

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Regression therapy

Regression therapy using hypnotherapy may help individuals access and release suppressed emotions; techniques like anchoring and hypnotic suggestion may offer access to more empowering coping mechanisms. However, these therapies can be controversial since some experts believe they may induce false memories. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy has frequently been shown to be useful in reducing stress, which may trigger regressive behaviors, as well as various mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. 

According to a review published in the National Library of Medicine (NIH), CBT can help "to eliminate avoidant and safety-seeking behaviors that prevent self-correction of faulty beliefs, thereby facilitating stress management to reduce stress-related disorders and enhance mental health.”

Benefits of online therapy

You may want to consider online CBT as a treatment option for regression. An online therapist may support you in finding helpful ways to relieve stress and anxiety, which, in turn, can address regressive behaviors. An online therapy platform can match you with a licensed therapist who can speak with you by phone, video, or online chat, making it more easily accessible than in-person therapy. Additionally, online therapy may be more affordable than in-person therapy as it typically eliminates certain costs like transportation.

Effectiveness of online therapy

Research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy is often as effective when administered online as it is in person. According to one study, online CBT “is effective in the treatment and management of various psychiatric disorders such as depression, GAD and social anxiety, panic disorders, phobias, addiction and substance use disorders, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and OCD.”