[dizgirl2011]

Hey,

I was wondering if any of you have experienced regression, in the form of perhaps returning to more primitative or childlike behaviours as a form of comfort or as a way of maybe trying to avoid responsibility?

This could be anything from buying yourself a soft toy, holding a teddy at night, maybe colouring in, drawing, perhaps styling your hair in a more child like fashion or wearing clothes that seem more comfortable and childlike? It could be anything at all.

The topic really interests me

Diz xxx

[Perna]

I brought mine "forward" into adulthood rather than going backwards. If one is coping well I don't think one will uncope? If one regresses, they probably had various behaviors that were tell-tale from before or, the situation causing the regression was extremely stressful (death, breakup, etc. so one goes into a fetal position, for example).

Have you seen that show, "My Strange Addiction"? http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/my-strange-addiction They had one with a 22 year old woman who still sucks her thumb (with a piece of her baby blanket rubbing against her nose).

[dizgirl2011]

Hey,

Ive never seen that show before but its probably in the usa is it?

It's not really about 'uncoping' but about using a way to cope that you learnt in the past I guess.

Perhaps even just acting childlike.

xxx

[Elli-Beth]

Shortly after my trauma, I did a lot of coloring to calm myself. The need for that faded after I started trusting my T enough to open up more about the trauma.

What my T sees as regression aren't really childlike behaviors but the same reactions I developed in childhood (food and speech issues, etc) popping back up now instead of more rational adult coping skills.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by dizgirl2011

Hey,

I was wondering if any of you have experienced regression, in the form of perhaps returning to more primitative or childlike behaviours as a form of comfort or as a way of maybe trying to avoid responsibility?

This could be anything from buying yourself a soft toy, holding a teddy at night, maybe colouring in, drawing, perhaps styling your hair in a more child like fashion or wearing clothes that seem more comfortable and childlike? It could be anything at all.

The topic really interests me

Diz xxx

around here thats called the child with in. its a therapy approach where we have survivors of child sexual abuse notice when they feel childlike, feel like throwing things, feel like acting out, feel the same way they did when they were children. then comfort that child with in their self by coloring, holding a stuffed animal or other favorite toy, listen to music that is soothing, wear comfortable clothing. Some of our clients can even use self hypnosis and imagry to picture the child they used to be and figure out what their adult self needs to do in order to self sooth that child with in, in a sense rescue that abused child they were in the past by imagining their self holding holding their child self and letting that child self know they are safe now.

some of our clients have done this even with out learning the process in therapy. they are just so in touch with their child with in that they are able to know and give their self the self nurturing that they need.

As a survivor of child abuse I have done this, as a therapist I use this exercise with my clients and in the sense of having DID I have in the past switched into alters that are child like me's.

[dizgirl2011]

Originally Posted by Elli-Beth

Shortly after my trauma, I did a lot of coloring to calm myself. The need for that faded after I started trusting my T enough to open up more about the trauma.

What my T sees as regression aren't really childlike behaviors but the same reactions I developed in childhood (food and speech issues, etc) popping back up now instead of more rational adult coping skills.

Hey Elli thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by Elli-Beth

Shortly after my trauma, I did a lot of coloring to calm myself. The need for that faded after I started trusting my T enough to open up more about the trauma.

What my T sees as regression aren't really childlike behaviors but the same reactions I developed in childhood (food and speech issues, etc) popping back up now instead of more rational adult coping skills.

I love coloring as a calming agent. I end up doing it every time I come out of the hospital or trying to come out of a deep depression.

[deliquesce]

i dont know if it's regression because i think in general im still quite childlike. i have a toy which sleeps on my bed to cuddle, and i have little animal keyrings or earrings or rings or whatever which i use during the day and which make me happy because i play with them and make them talk to me.

when i get really tired or depressed my 'safe place' tends to involve curling up and sleeping under a table. maybe that's more regressive, because this is what i used to do as a kid? i'll do this even though my bed is in the same room -- i just prefer under the table because it's more comforting.

[PTSDlovemycats]

I have a blanket that I aleep with and during the day I carry it around the house with me..I kinda look like Linus from Peanuts.

[Smurf&Turf]

I have a onesie I turn to from time to time

[dizgirl2011]

aww all these little things are lovely, i have a bear too and a blanket that ive had since childhood.

[granite1]

not really sure if i do this to such an extent but i think i might in attitude i regress big time.when i was in my 20 yes i would say i did i was always acting like a child .i would sleep curled up on the floor to sleep.sit in corners for days and lots of stuff like that.i was a tatal wild child

[3velniai]

I guess it happened to me once, or maybe more than once, but once my T said something along the lines of: it's not that uncommon for people to regress a bit in stressful situations. I couldn't sleep until I bought myself a soft toy. Toy shops were my absolutely favorite place, went there almost every day. I cried all the time. Played stupid childish computer games and colored a lot. Read story books too. And watched cartoons. All the stuff at work seemed too hard and way too complicated, sometimes I couldn't understand things although I knew I know them well and I did the tasks before. Sometimes I was scared to call ppl I don't know. Coping skills? I kind of forgot most of those. This nonsense went on for a few weeks. That was a scary experience to be honest.

[PTSDlovemycats]

Originally Posted by Smurf&Turf

I have a onesie I turn to from time to time

And it actually fits??

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by PTSDlovemycats

And it actually fits??

they do make onsies for adults.. some places call them onsies and some place call them one piece pajamas some places call them footies.... you can also get them at fetish shops that deal with adult babies roll playing supplies.

http://www.onesiesforadults.net/
http://www.adultonesies.net/
http://www.funzee.co.uk/
http://cosyndry.com/category/Onesies/

I love wearing onsies in the winter. so cozy and warm after being out in the freezing and snowy weather.