Thursday, February 6, 2014

Understanding The Female Midlife Crisis

Tags

By Serena Price


Traditionally, it was believed that the midlife crisis only occurred with men, and it usually was not treated as a big deal. These days, the female midlife crisis is acknowledged. It is not something that only men go through anymore. The things a woman experiences are similar to men, but only to a point. The male version is centered more around the intense fear of getting old and everything that comes with it, while a female's experiences are related to her identity and purpose.

For women, this crisis has more to do with their identity than about aging, although aging does play a role for many women. Up to this point, women have spent most of their adult lives as mothers and the glue to their families. They have raised children, maintained the home, and controlled many of the activities in the daily life of a family. During the point when this conflict hits, a woman realizes that she now has extra time on her hands. There are no more excuses she can come up with to keep her from doing the things she could not before.

Women who are between 36 and 60 can experience a female midlife crisis. During this time, children have grown up and leave to pursue college or careers, leaving the proverbial empty nest and a large amount of free time. Add the hormonal changes that occur with menopause and you have an emotional mess. There are also some women who suffer from a divorce or death that triggers the crisis.

No two women will have the same experiences while going through this. There are, however, some frequent symptoms that can be expected. Usually a woman's symptoms will come in stages. Anger, denial, shock, and depression all come in waves, in no set order, before she can accept what she is going through. All of these stages are used to group symptoms that might occur.

A reduction in energy, erratic sleeping or eating patterns, and a general feeling of hopelessness are symptoms that commonly occur with depression. Blaming loved ones and spouses generally accompanies anger. Shock usually follows denial as reality begins to set in.

There are many behavioral changes that can come with a female midlife crisis. Dissatisfaction with almost everything and unease or restlessness can cause women to appear distracted, nervous, and disheveled. Many sufferers will make decisions on a whim, such as buying things that are not needed or suddenly quitting a job. It is also common for sufferers to be overly concerned with looking younger and will often try to dress younger or wear makeup to hide their aging.

Out of character behaviors can also include certain activities. A woman in the middle of this conflict may decide to engage in dangerous things such as jumping out of plans. She may also choose less dangerous things such as going out more. Friendships and other relationships may also be changed.

Female midlife crisis can be just as dangerous as the male version if it is not acknowledged and handled properly. There is nothing wrong with trying to find ways to fill the void and empty time, if it is constructive. Women who continue down a path of denial and destruction face more problems when this problem has passed. It is important to seek help, not just from a doctor or counselor, but also from the people that are important in your life.




About the Author:




EmoticonEmoticon