What Does Regressing Mean?
Freud’s Big Idea: Regression
Sigmund Freud was a big deal in psychology. He shook things up with new ideas about how our minds work.
Before Freud, people thought mental health problems were just bad behavior. They thought you could fix yourself by trying harder. This led to a lot of people being pushed aside or locked up.
But in the early 1900s, Freud came along with some wild new theories. He said our behaviors and feelings are shaped by stuff we’re not even aware of, plus things that happened when we were kids.
These ideas changed everything in psychology. They even affect how we think about science, society, and how kids grow up.
One of Freud’s ideas was about how people deal with tough emotions. He called these “defense mechanisms”. One of these was called “regression”.
What’s Regression?
In psychology, regression is when someone goes back to an earlier stage of growing up.
Picture this: A 10-year-old suddenly starts crying all the time, won’t eat or go to school, and acts like a toddler. That’s regression.
Adults can do it too. They might get super clingy or act childish.
It’s pretty common for kids going through puberty, but adults can do it too.
Basically, it’s when someone’s mind goes back to an earlier age.
Why Do People Regress?
There are three main reasons:
1. Trauma
After something really bad happens, like abuse or losing someone, people might regress.
It’s like when a computer gets too much info and freezes up. The brain does the same thing. It goes back to an earlier way of thinking to cope.
That’s why some folks with PTSD (that’s post-traumatic stress disorder) might act like kids sometimes. It helps them deal with the scary stuff they’ve been through.
2. Mental Illness
People with mental health issues like depression or schizophrenia might regress too.
When your mind’s not working right, you might get stuck in old ways of thinking. It’s like your brain’s trying to make things simpler to understand.
3. Emotional Growing Pains
This happens a lot with kids. Their hormones change, or something big happens in their life, and boom – regression.
Like, a kid might start acting younger when they get a new baby brother or sister. They miss being the only kid and getting all the attention.
Freud’s Stages of Growing Up
Now, a lot of Freud’s ideas turned out to be wrong. But some are still useful today. Like his theory about how kids grow up mentally.
Freud said kids go through five stages before they’re adults:
1. The Mouth Stage
This is the first year of life. Babies learn by using their mouths – sucking thumbs, drinking milk, that kind of thing.
They learn to trust the people who feed them, like mom.
To move on, Freud said babies need to learn to feed themselves.
2. The Potty Stage
This is from 1 to 3 years old. Kids learn to use the toilet instead of diapers.
Freud thought how parents taught potty training was super important for moving to the next stage.
3. The Private Parts Stage
This is when kids start noticing their private parts and the difference between boys and girls.
Freud had some weird ideas about this stage, but we’ll skip those.
4. The Quiet Stage
From about 6 years old until puberty, kids learn social skills and make friends.
They start to understand right and wrong and how society works.
5. The Grown-Up Stage
This starts at puberty and goes on for the rest of life. You’re an adult now!
Freud thought people had to go through each stage in order. If you got stuck in one, you might regress back to it later.
Like, someone who never really got past the mouth stage might bite their nails as an adult when they’re stressed.
But remember, Freud didn’t think about stuff like genes or culture. So his stages aren’t the whole story of how people grow up.
Can You Stop Regression?
Regression can really mess up your life, especially if you’re an adult. Kids often regress a bit, but for grown-ups, it’s tougher.
The good news is, there are ways to stop regression. You can try therapy, meds, or other stuff.
First step: realize you’re regressing. It’s not always easy to spot. You might need to watch your behavior or ask people close to you.
Therapy can help you get unstuck and move forward. Sometimes you might need to try a few different kinds.
If regression is part of a bigger problem, you might need meds. There are different kinds for different issues.
The most important thing? Talk to a doctor. They can help you figure out how to stop regressing for good.
Wrapping It Up
Freud’s ideas were a big deal in psychology. He got people thinking about regression, which nobody really talked about before.
Even though a lot of his ideas turned out to be wrong, he got people interested in regression. His work still affects how psychologists think today.
Regression is usually normal, especially for kids. But if it doesn’t stop, it can cause problems.
If you think you’re regressing, it’s important to talk to a professional. They can help you figure out what’s going on and how to deal with it.
Author: Michelle Landeros, LMFT
Michelle Landeros is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT). She is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families thrive.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I am Michelle Landeros, LMFT. I am a mother, wife, author, baker and foodie. Welcome to my blog Therapist Pages. Covering a wide range of topics from mental health, wellness, relationships and overall well-being. I am passionate about sharing information that improves your wellness journey.
