Midlife Crisis 101: Signs, Struggles and Mental Health Effects

A midlife crisis is a period in middle adulthood marked by dissatisfaction and a longing for substantial life changes. It can adversely impact mental health, triggering psychological issues like depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders.

What Is Midlife Crisis?

Midlife crisis is a psychological phenomenon ¹ that is characterized as a period of self-examination, reappraisal, dissatisfaction, and anxiety experienced by middle-aged people (40-60 years of age).

However, this stage may also occur before or after that age bracket. It has a great impact on one’s mental health—resulting in emotional distress and changes in behavior, values, and life’s trajectories.

The global recognition of midlife crisis varies depending on the culture and prevalence rates. Nonetheless, studies affirm that men, more likely than women ² , experience midlife crisis and its mental health implications.

A midlife crisis is viewed in a negative light, but its aftermath is usually associated with fulfilling personal growth and reassessed life priorities.

Read More About Anxiety Here

Symptoms Of Midlife Crisis

Studies ³ attribute the common symptoms of this crisis to the following:

Experiencing deep self-reflection and often questioning your identity, purpose, or the meaning of life.
Feeling unfulfilled or dissatisfied with your love life, career path, achievements, or personal relationships.
Frequently worrying about the future, getting old, mortality, or goals that feel impossible to achieve.
Making impulsive and sudden decisions, including major life changes, without any thought, planning and hesitation.
Displaying rebellious and risky behaviors, such as extramarital affairs, quitting your job or impulsive, excessive spending.
Exploring new hobbies, tastes, or interests in search of excitement or reinvention.
Trying to reconnect with younger days by doing things typically associated with a younger crowd.
Facing tension or emotional and physical distance in relationships, along with other personal struggles.
Changing your appearance, style, or fitness habits, which are very noticeable to other people.

Read More About Stress Here

Midlife Crisis In Films

Midlife crisis has been heavily explored in television shows and movies ⁴ , but its depiction has been limited to having extramarital affairs and sexual frustration.

The 1999 film “American Beauty” follows a suburban father with a midlife crisis who becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter’s best friend. “Unfaithful” (2002) shows Diane Lane’s character, a housewife, indulge in an affair with a much-younger book dealer.

Similarly, in the 2022 mini-series “Obsession,” Richard Armitage plays a doctor who has an affair with his son’s fiancee.

A more nuanced portrayal of this has been portrayed in the cult 2003 classic, “Lost In Translation“. The movie explores a beautiful friendship between a fading movie star and a college graduate residing in Tokyo.

Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film “Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood” intricately explores this phenomenon in Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Rick Dalton.

What Causes Midlife Crisis?

Studies ⁵ in “what causes midlife crisis?” attribute its development to several factors like:

Thinking about the meaning of life, and mortality.
Feeling extremely frustrated due to unmet expectations, desires, and aspirations.
Going through an age-related identity crisis.
Feeling the pressure of cultural norms, societal expectations, and age-related stereotypes.
Experiencing hormonal changes, especially andropause or menopause.
Certain major life transitions (such as middle age, empty nest, or career change) can cause excessive self-reflection.
Psychological factors like mental health struggles and unresolved trauma.
External influences like peer pressure, societal standards, and certain types of media depictions.

Midlife Crisis Psychology And Mental Health

The midlife crisis psychology can impact mental health in various ways, and it often ends up triggering: ⁶

A constant, nearly obsessive preoccupation with the meaning and purpose of life and one’s identity.
Obsessing about death, be it your own or a loved one’s.
Stress, depression, social isolation or withdrawal and anxiety.
Sleep and eating disorders.
Body image issues.
Low self-worth and self-esteem.
Behavioral, cognitive, and personality disorders.
Increased risk of mental health issues like late age schizophrenia, substance addiction, hoarding disorder, etc.

Read More About Schizophrenia Here

Common mental health disorders linked to midlife crisis

Tips To Overcome Midlife Crisis

If you have been struggling with this, and you’re wondering what you can to deal with it in a healthy way, then these strategies might help:

Reflect on your personal goals, values, and ambitions.
Recognize successes and celebrate your accomplishments.
Accept that change is part of life’s orderliness ⁷ and it makes one a better person.
Come up with achievable personal and professional development goals.
Communicate your feelings to close friends or relatives to get the help you need
Take interest in hobbies that are pleasant and bring completeness.
Use mindfulness or meditation to gain emotional stability and clarity in thoughts.
Avail therapy or professional counseling to get some emotional support and perspective.

Read More About Mindfulness Here

Helping Someone With A Midlife Crisis

Helping someone navigate a midlife crisis psychology involves empathy, compassion, and active listening without judgment. Try suggesting self-help strategies ⁸ to manage it’s symptoms.

In extreme cases, professional assistance like therapy can be recommended to enable individuals navigate these difficult times.

Read More About Empathy Here

How to help someone experiencing a midlife crisis

Takeaway

Going through a midlife crisis can be emotional and confusing, however understanding what it is and the psychology behind it can help you support yourself and others experiencing it.

Many people feel a sense of emptiness, question their purpose, or worry they haven’t achieved enough. These feelings are valid and deserve compassion.

With the right support and self-reflection, this phase can become a powerful opportunity for growth and meaningful life changes.

At A Glance

A midlife crisis is a period in middle adulthood marked by dissatisfaction and a longing for substantial life changes.
Midlife psychology is more prevalent in men than women.
It’s symptoms can be attributed to factors like aging, death obsessions, hormonal changes, life transitions, untreated trauma, etc.
It can impact mental health, triggering anxiety, depression, substance use, etc.
Tips to overcome a midlife crisis involve psychological help, social support, and self-help strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can You Overcome A Midlife Crisis?

Overcoming a midlife crisis is possible through self-reflection, support, and making positive life changes.

2. What Happens After A Midlife Crisis?

After a midlife crisis, individuals often experience personal growth, reassess priorities, and may embark on a more fulfilling life path.

3. Is Midlife Crisis A Mental Breakdown?

While a midlife crisis shares some characteristics with a mental breakdown, it is not necessarily a mental health disorder but rather a period of intense self-reflection and reassessment.

4. Can A Midlife Crisis Happen Early?

Yes, a midlife crisis can occur early in life, challenging conventional perceptions, and may manifest as an early exploration of identity and purpose.