Types of Regression - and definitions
Regression: A coping mechanism or state where someone mentally reverts to a younger age, often unintentionally. It's often associated with stress relief, trauma response, or comfort.
Can be voluntary or involuntary.
Dreaming: When someone enjoys childish things and adopts childlike aesthetics into their lifestyle or mindset; although not regressing (or not regressing fully)
Flip-Flop (or just Flip): term describing someone who experiences both regressor and caregiver dynamics!
Usually called flip for short, rarely called a flip-flop!
🧸 Agere (Age Regression) Terms
Agere (Age Regression): Short for "age regression." A non-sexual coping mechanism where someone mentally feels or acts younger.
Regressor (Little/Agere): A person who experiences age regression.
Little: A common term for regressors, but sometimes used differently in kink spaces—context matters.
Caregiver (CG): Someone who takes care of or supports someone during regression.
May also be called Daddy, Mommy, or other comfort titles (non-kink here).
A-Space: A term for your save environment while regressing
Headspace: The mental state someone is in while regressing
🐾 Petre (Pet Regression) Terms
Petre (Pet Regression): A form of regression where someone mentally or emotionally regresses to a pet-like state (e.g., puppy, kitten). Usually non-sexual and a coping mechanism.
Pet regressor (Petreg): A person who regresses into an animal role.
Pet: Common identity for someone in pet regression.
Petdre (Pet Dreaming): Similar to dreaming, but pet-themed. Someone embraces animal-like aesthetics and behaviors for comfort, not necessarily as regression.
Owner/Caretaker/Handler: The caregiving role in petre relationships.
Dreamer: A person in the dreaming community; may or may not be a regressor.
Agedre (Age Dreaming): Adopting childlike behaviors, aesthetics, or interests for fun, comfort, or identity—not as a coping mechanism.
Petdre (Pet Dreaming): Like Agedre, but focused on animal roleplay/aesthetics for fun or identity (not coping).
Dreamspace: The comforting, whimsical mindset or place created by dreamers (often very aesthetic).
Flip: Someone who experiences both regression and caregiving, or who switches roles based on mood or partner dynamic.
Flipdreamer: Someone who flips roles within a dreaming or aesthetic-based identity.
AgeShifter: A term for regressors or permaregressors who find their age changing on a time basis; a five-year-old one day, an eight-year-old the next, etc
These communities are usually non-kink and non-sexual in nature (especially Agere and Petre).
Context matters: Some terms like “little” or “CG” are also used in kink communities (DDLG, MDLB, etc.), but they are separate from non-kink regressive or dreaming spaces.
Always respect labels and boundaries—ask how someone uses a term if you're unsure.