Understanding Regression in Teens with Mental Health Challenges
When your teen is making progress in their mental health journey, every step forward can feel like a victory. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, they slip back into old patterns—maybe isolating themselves again, struggling with school, or lashing out emotionally. As parents and caregivers, this experience, called regression, can be discouraging. Yet, it’s a natural and manageable part of the healing process.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what regression is, why it happens, and how you, as a parent or caregiver can support your teen through it with compassion, patience, and perspective.
What is Regression?
In mental health, regression refers to a temporary return to earlier patterns of behavior, emotions, or coping mechanisms. For teens facing challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, or other disorders, regression might look like:
- Increased irritability or emotional outbursts
- Avoiding responsibilities or schoolwork
- Returning to harmful behaviors they had previously worked through
- Increased neediness or withdrawal
- Sleep disturbances or appetite changes
It is important to remember that regression doesn’t mean failure. It’s not proof that therapy isn’t working or that your teen is giving up. Think of it more like a detour than a dead end.
Why Does Regression Happen?
Teens are under constant pressure—socially, academically, and emotionally. Add mental health challenges to the mix, and their coping system can get overwhelmed. Some common triggers include:
- Stress or transitions (e.g., new school year, family changes, exams)
- Therapeutic breakthroughs that stir up difficult emotions
- Physical changes (puberty, sleep deprivation)
- Unprocessed trauma or unresolved conflicts resurfacing
- Medication changes or missed treatment sessions
Sometimes, regression occurs when things seem to be going well! As strange as it sounds, growth can be scary. Moving forward requires letting go of old defenses—and that can feel vulnerable.
How to Support Your Teen Through Regression
- Stay Calm and Grounded
Your teen is already feeling unstable. The best thing you can do is offer a steady presence. Even if their behavior is frustrating or painful to witness, try not to respond with fear or anger. Remind yourself: This is a setback, not the end. - Avoid Shame or Punishment
Regression isn’t a choice. It’s not your teen being lazy or defiant—it’s them struggling. Rather than asking “What’s wrong with you?” ask “What happened to you?” or “What do you need right now?” - Validate Their Emotions
Let your teen know it’s okay to struggle. You might say, “It seems like you’re having a tough time again. That’s okay. I’m here for you.” Being seen and accepted in their low moments builds trust and resilience. - Reinforce Structure and Support
Reintroduce helpful routines: consistent sleep, regular meals, exercise, and therapy appointments. Even small actions, like taking a walk together or eating dinner at the same time each night, can anchor them. - Work With Their Mental Health Team
Communicate any changes with your teen’s therapist, psychiatrist, or school counselor. Regression can be a valuable data point—it might mean something in treatment needs adjusting, or that they’ve hit an emotional growth spurt. - Model Self-Care and Boundaries
Watching your child struggle is heart-wrenching, and you’ll be more effective in supporting them if you also take care of yourself. Seek your own support system, whether through therapy, support groups, or trusted friends.
A Final Word: Healing Isn’t Linear
Progress in mental health is rarely a straight line. It’s a spiral—sometimes up, sometimes down, often both at once. Regression doesn’t mean your teen is broken. It means they are human, working through complex emotions at a pivotal stage in life.
Regression, or relapse into old patterns, is actually part of the change process. How we work through regression and regain the progress we have made previously is actually the best test of our growth as an individual and as a family.
Your calm presence, understanding, and unwavering belief in their ability to grow—even when they can’t see it for themselves—can be the most healing thing you offer.
If you’re walking this road with your teen right now, take heart. You’re not alone. And neither are they.
If your teenager is struggling with their mental health or difficulty within the family system and you are considering treatment options, perhaps Summit Achievement could be right for your family. Reach out to Admissions today.