Mid-Life Crisis ~ the signs and symptoms

 
What is this great transition?  Life is a series of transitions, if you really think about it:  from single to married; from student to employee; from physically active to more sedentary; from employed to retired; from married to divorced, from parent to grandparent; and finally, somewhere along the way... from middle-aged to elderly.

Mid-life crisis is the stuff of movies and novels and talk show circumspection.  It is stereotypically a tumultuous time of great change, rash decisions, and personal psychological angst.  And not only is the victim of this phenomena affected, but often the people around them catch the fallout.

So, how do you know if the unease and discontent you are feeling is a mid-life crisis?  Below are some tips to help you figure that out, and to read this article, a nice long juicy article, in its entirety, be sure to follow the link below.  You'll find a great deal of advice on how to handle a mid-life crisis if you should find yourself in the trenches.

https://lonerwolf.com/midlife-crisis/

• What is a Midlife Crisis?

A midlife crisis is a period of life, usually occurring between the ages of 45 to 65, in which a person feels fundamentally dissatisfied with their life and goes in search of more meaning and happiness. Coined by psychologist Elliot Jacque in the 1960s, the midlife crisis is fairly common, particularly in the western world.

• 12 Signs and Symptoms of the Midlife Crisis

Fears of mortality – As your body begins to show signs of wear and tear, you realize that you ain’t a ‘spring chicken’ any longer. When you were a 20-something you were able to pretend that life was endless, but now you can’t. This increasing realization may trigger the next symptom:

Asking deep questions about your life – You begin to ask questions that you perhaps avoided when you were younger such as, “What is the meaning of life?” “Is there life after death?” “What is my destiny or soul purpose?” “Is there more to life than just making money and running a family?”

Feeling stuck and stagnant – You feel almost a sense of claustrophobia or being “shut in a box” that is hard to logically understand. Your ego has become overly solidified, hardened, stuck in its ways, and stranded in routines.

You long for adventure – You want to break free, do something new, or be something new – anything to avoid that dreaded feeling of being static.

Feeling depressed and anxious – You struggle to feel the motivation to do anything. Apathy fills you. Identifying what exactly is “wrong” with you or life becomes a preoccupation of yours. You don’t know what will bring you that sense of joy or being fulfilled anymore.

Sense of disillusionment – As you reflect back on your life so far, you realize that nothing you’ve done has ultimately brought you the long-lasting peace, happiness, or fulfillment you’ve been searching for.

You don’t know what your purpose is – What is your destiny in this life? Why are you here on earth? What’s the point? These are the types of questions that enter your mind.

Time feels more precious – As you edge closer to your later years, you start to see time differently. You might feel remorse looking back on pursuits that now feel hollow. You’ll want to start spending your time doing activities and spending time with people that feel valuable.

You’ll rethink your relationships – As time becomes more precious, you’ll think carefully about your close relationships. Do they bring you joy? Is there still a spark of love there? Do the significant others in your life fulfill your mental, emotional, or spiritual needs?

You feel the impulse to do something, anything! – With the fears of wasting your life knowing that it’s now “half over,” you want to do something to get yourself out of that rut, out of the uncomfortable feelings you’re having. Perhaps you decide to purchase an expensive car, sell your house, or move to another country. Some of that stuckness might disappear, but a deeper craving still remains.

Psychosomatic illness emerges – With all the stress you’re experiencing due to undergoing a crisis, you might experience strange illnesses that have no clear biological cause, but are instead triggered by your mental state. Examples of these psychosomatic illnesses include chronic fatigue, chronic pain, insomnia, headaches and migraines, and gastrointestinal issues.

Your values start to shift or become more dominant – If you spent most of your life pursuing success, financial stability, or status, you’ll find these values dissolving as you reflect on how they never brought you what you truly wanted. If you value family, love, connection, and authentic living, these values will become more dominant, particularly if you never got a chance to fully immerse yourself in them.

 

• Midlife Crisis For a Man vs. Midlife Crisis For a Woman

Midlife crisis for men often manifests in the following ways:

1. Loss of sex drive (sometimes the opposite)

2. Toxic comparison with other men regarding status, success, happiness

3. Increase in impulsive decision making due to feeling trapped

4. Feelings of numbness

Midlife crisis for women often manifests in the following ways:

1. Becoming overly preoccupied with one’s looks or totally giving up and not caring

2. Feelings of increased anxiety

3. Inner emptiness (often due to kids leaving)

4. Identity crisis or “who am I now?”