Would you rather treat symptoms or eliminate the cause? Count me in for the latter. But does it apply in our neck of the woods? Sure it does. For instance, regression: its impact on mood and anxiety.
’…the patient’s regressive tendency…is not just a relapse into infantilism, but an attempt to get at something necessary…the universal feeling of childhood innocence…’ Carl Jung
Most of the time it’s that grand convergence of nature and nurture.
However, it could be largely one or the other.
The regressive underpinning
Let’s say a depressive disorder was found to be 100% psychological – purely nurture. Could we go so far as to say the disorder would be – I’m being careful – “cured” if the psychological underpinnings were discovered and resolved?
Makes sense to me.
It’s my opinion one such underpinning is regression. That means we need to learn about it, and we’ll do it in a two part series.
Let’s start by becoming familiar with regression. Off we go with part one…
What is regression?
Dr. Sigmund Freud
According to Sigmund Freud, regression is a defense mechanism that ushers in a short or long-term reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of psychosexual development.
This, as opposed to handling unacceptable impulses in, shall we say, a more adult manner.
And, yes, this implies taking on childlike characteristics while regressed.
If we’re going to review ego-related material (with id and superego), we need to make sure we’re all on the same page. Why not brush up a little on Freud’s theory of personality?
Neurosis
Freud viewed regression as a top-drawer neurosis-generating phenomenon. Since the term isn’t used much anymore, let’s define it as an unpleasant emotional/mental set of circumstances in which psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, don’t present.
Hence, the mood and anxiety disorders would be considered “neuroses.”
Time travel
Freud believed neurosis is created when one escapes from an unsatisfactory immediate reality and heads for an earlier stage of development.
Regression, then, is time travel to days when satisfaction was infinite. Dang, wouldn’t that be nice.
And the thing is, not only does the individual go back in time, they actually employ original and primitive methods of emotional and mental expression.
Carl Jung’s take
How ’bout these gentle words from Carl Jung…
…the patient’s regressive tendency…is not just a relapse into infantilism, but an attempt to get at something necessary…the universal feeling of childhood innocence, the sense of security, of protection, of reciprocated love, of trust.
Great description, don’t you think?
What does regression look like?
To paint the most accurate picture of regressive thought, feeling, and behavior, we’d have to know the stage of development in which the individual is fixated – “stuck.”
However, without regard to developmental stage, here are some common adult regressive expressions…
“You don’t want to mess with me, people – I’m in a regressed state. Now move it!”
Excessive eating or smoking, verbal or physical aggression, excessive tidiness or messiness, temper tantrums, whining, crying in reaction to stress or for no apparent reason, inexplicable fear, rage, sucking or chewing on objects, feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness, playing ignorant, masturbating, cuddling with a comfort object, refusing to get out of bed, transformation of emotional/mental distress into physical symptoms.
What a collection. By the way, does anything hit home? Um, several on this end.
When regression needs to be addressed
Of course, presenting with one of the above doesn’t equate to being in a troubling regressed state. However, if multiple thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are an issue – or if a distinct pattern of even one is detected – regression needs to addressed.
And please keep in mind, all of us regress in one form or another. It becomes problematic when it causes life-interrupting moods, anxiety, thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
How can curtailing regression bring relief?
We’ve learned that Freud believed regression is a powerful neurosis-generating defense mechanism. We also learned that the mood and anxiety disorders are neuroses.
That being the case, when mood or anxiety symptoms become troubling, one of the first self-assessments and interventions need to address regression.
I mean, manage the regression, manage the mood and anxiety symptoms.
An adult living as a child
Again, Freud submits neurosis is created when one escapes from an unsatisfactory immediate reality and makes a beeline for an earlier stage of development – in which satisfaction was plentiful.
Well, let’s say the individual arrived at the Latency Stage, spanning from six-years-old to puberty. It would be reasonable, then, to suggest the individual is attempting to live an adult life with the emotional, even mental, maturity of a six to twelve-year-old.
Would that reality generate a variety of mood and anxiety symptoms? I don’t see how it couldn’t.
And just coming to understand that is a huge step toward relief.
Let’s wrap it up
How does all of this sit with you? Does it help connect some dots?
I more than understand the need to treat symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders the best we can with, say, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, in all too many cases it’s a Band-Aid approach that can peter out over time.
That’s why I advocate exploring bottom-line cause, regression being a first-look candidate.
That major impact
I mean, think about it. If regression is, indeed, cranking out the mood and anxiety symptoms, wouldn’t it make sense they would subside as it receives attention?
That’s what leads me to believe understanding and managing regression can have a major impact upon mood and anxiety misery.
Are you ready for part two? Here’s Regression: Is it time to grow yourself back up?
And be sure to check out those Chipur mood and anxiety info and inspiration articles.
Freud image: author Veroraz, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License, no changes made
