I have 2 involuntary ways of coping with extreme stress/reliving my traumas:

1. dissociating (very scary, leaves me disoriented when I snap back)
2. age regression (I don't talk about it much bc the weirdo ppl that make it a kink make me uncomfy)

let's talk about them
(1/9)

DISSOCIATING

basically, dissociating is when my brain decides to go into self preservation and shuts down for a length of time. this time varies from a couple minutes to a couple days (sometimes over a week, though this is rare)
(2/9)

dissociating is scary because I lose time. I feel myself fade away and if I can't ground myself fast enough, I have to then find my bearings when I "wake up". this includes what day/time it is, where I am, how I got there, and sometimes who I am
(3/9)

I started dissociating when I was around 11 or 12, but I didn't know what it was. I'd be scared/upset/distressed and suddenly I was in a whole different place. it's scary and uncomfortable

as far as I know, the only difference in personality is i seem absent
(4/9)

no one can really "help" once I'm dissociated. it helps if they notice when it's starting and separate me from the situation and speak to me gently and firmly reminding me of my surroundings with minimal physical contact unless I ask
(5/9)

AGE REGRESSION/AGERE

this is the one I don't talk about bc ppl get it twisted in their head.

this is a normal coping method for people who suffered childhood trauma. it's a way of reconnecting and being the child you never got to be

this started for me at about age 17
(6/9)

I much prefer this to dissociating because it's not scary and actually brings me a sense of peace. when it happens I'm still aware of myself and my body, so I tend to separate from everyone besides the very few people who I know are comfortable with me acting like that
(7/9)

for me, this basically entails being over excited about sensory things (glitter, crinkle things, lights), surrounding myself with my stuffed animals, and usually watching familiar cartoons.

though i go into a childlike mental state I am still an adult and can act as such
(8/9)

agere is a valid form of coping and allows you to almost make amends with your younger self for the hardships they had to go through by allowing your current self to do what they wish they could've.

that being said: using it as a kink is fucking disgusting

END THREAD
(9/9)