Could you be going through a mid-life crisis?
Adults 40 to 60 years old can experience personal challenges during this period of transition — but there are several ways to push through
Is a mid-life crisis real, or is it a common myth that you may feel significant uncertainty or discontent at a certain point in your adult life?
“People often wonder if someone can have a mid-life crisis,” says Jennifer Wickham, a licensed professional counsellor for Mayo Clinic Health System.
“It’s a good question to ask, as all of us go through personal issues and transitions in our lives.”
The term “mid-life crisis” was coined in 1965 by Dr. Elliot Jacques, a Canadian psychoanalyst, to describe challenges during the normal period of transition and self-reflection many adults experience from age 40 to 60.
During these years, adults may commonly question who they are in this world, what their purpose is and how they have used their time thus far.
These questions can be triggered by the realization of the passage of time, or changes that may occur with the physical body, such as a health scare or a diminished ability to perform physical tasks.
“Your mid-life crisis, or transition, may occur around significant life events, such your youngest child moving away or finishing college,” Wickham says. “You may feel it when you’re entering a new decade or after the death of a parent.”
Wickham explains you may feel discomfort, stress and confusion, and this may lead you to feel that you are in a crisis.
Despite the stress, you might experience this as the start of a new and exciting stage of life.
Occasionally, mid-life transitions might invoke depression.
Wickham says it’s important you recognize these symptoms if you’re not feeling quite like yourself:
Have your eating or sleeping habits changed, or are you feeling tired and rundown?
Do you have feelings of pessimism or hopelessness?
Do you have feelings of restlessness, anxiety or irritability?
Are you feeling a loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed, including sex and hobbies?
Are you having thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide?
Do you have physical symptoms, such as headaches or other physical aches or pains, that are not responding to treatment? Wickham offers tips to help: Stay active. Go for daily walks and get some fresh air. Stay social. Stay engaged with other people, especially friends and family. Meditate. Take a yoga course. “Though this is a normal transition of adult development, if you or a loved one believes that you are engaging in out-of-character behaviour, or making sudden changes to major life areas, such as work or relationships, it can be helpful to seek the support of a professional,” Wickham adds.