Midlife Crisis: An Overview
Middle adulthood is when most people contemplate their life and compare their current achievements with peers in the same age group or against their expectations. If you feel like you have developed such thoughts, you might have developed a midlife crisis. Here is a deeper overview of what a midlife crisis entails, how to identify it, and some relief options to reduce its intensity.
Definition
A midlife crisis is a transition time, usually in middle age, between 40 and 60 years of age, when people reassess their lives and make changes to achieve greater satisfaction. This crisis typically involves a search for meaning, identity, and a sense of renewed purpose.
Causes
It can result from significant life events such as retirement, the death of a loved one, or a divorce. It can also occur due to more mundane things like empty nest syndrome or a career plateau. Mostly, a midlife crisis happens because there is a conflict between one's desires and their actual achievements. A person may feel like their life has spiraled opposite from their expectations.
Many researchers have studied what pertains to a midlife crisis. Most agree that the deep emotional turmoil faced by individuals in this age group qualifies as psychological turmoil to their well-being. However, not everyone that undergoes very emotional events develops a crisis.
Effects
During a midlife crisis, individuals may feel stuck in a rut and that their lives are not going as they envisioned. Individuals may feel like they have made wrong choices in their lives or that they have not accomplished what they wanted to. They may be unsure of which path to take and what the future will hold.
These feelings may result from the realization that one has not accomplished what one had hoped to by middle adulthood. Additionally, they could be unhappy with the direction their life has taken.
People who experience a midlife crisis may engage in risky behaviors or make impulsive decisions to add excitement to their lives. Some may seek out new relationships or start new businesses, while others may embark on a journey of self-discovery.
It is important to distinguish between psychological disorders like depression and an emotional upheaval like a midlife crisis. Clinical depression has more severe symptoms like suicidal ideation, withdrawal, overwhelming sadness, and isolation. However, a midlife crisis can often lead to anxiety, reminiscence, regret, humiliation, and anger.
Finally, an individual may also experience various physical changes. These changes can include weight gain or loss, hair loss, changes in sleeping patterns, and decreased energy levels.
Treatment
The most common treatment options for a midlife crisis are therapy and medication. Therapy can help a person understand and work through the emotions they are experiencing. Medication can help to stabilize mood and ease anxiety.
If you have doubts about your current romantic relationship, you should visit a marriage counselor to identify the reasons behind these feelings and how you can cope together with your partner.
You can also take up new hobbies that are within your abilities or retake old hobbies you left behind. Just don't choose extreme hobbies that might exacerbate your midlife crisis. The hobby can distract you and also build a routine with small accomplishments you can enjoy.
Diet and exercise can help regulate some physical changes that may occur during a midlife crisis. For example, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help to prevent weight gain or loss. Additionally, regular exercise can help to increase energy levels and improve sleep patterns.
Ultimately, a midlife crisis is an opportunity for growth and change. Those who embrace it can emerge from this time of upheaval with greater self-awareness and satisfaction. Contact us at Heritage Mental Health Clinic if you would like a safe environment to speak about your ensuing midlife crisis.