Age regression or “littlespace” is not a mental illness, impairment, or disorder. That being said, you should always feel in control and aware of yourself. It shouldn’t ever feel like you’ve truly forgotten how to function, maintain your own levels of safety, or perform important tasks that may unexpectedly come up in the moment. You shouldn’t feel like you’re “watching” yourself do something, as if you’re only a passenger in your body.
I say that to say the term alter implies that a different consciousness/“personality” has taken over and that
you aren’t in control of your body’s decisions. If
that is actually happening then that
is not littlespace or regression. That would be a psychological condition that only a licensed therapist can, and should, diagnose and treat. You may simply be misusing the term alter, in which you can easily stop doing so and use more appropriate wording to explain those moments.
Ultimately, being a Little is just not the same thing as having DID/MPD and is not an “alternate” personality within yourself.
It’s absolutely okay if you feel
so carefree, relaxed, and safe enough to express yourself through regression that you felt very youthful again, like a 6 or 8 year old. In the end, moments of deeper regression are just the physical manifestations of self-expression, and every person needs to have those times in their lives where they feel they can express themselves in a different way.
And it’s okay if you do have a psychological condition instead, but do make sure to find a good therapist to help you understand yourself and maintain your mental health.
