Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Surviving A Female Midlife Crisis

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By Grace Daniels


In the past, men have typically been the sex most affected by a mid life crisis. Such changes included excessive spending, big purchases, dating younger women, and extramarital affairs. Today, however, women are just as likely to suffer from a female midlife crisis.

Such a crisis for women may involve assessment of dreams, relationships, jobs and financial success. It may also involve calculating age in relationship to desired goals met. Not all women will encounter the same symptoms, and there may be wide variation from woman to woman, with some experiencing subtle, and other extreme symptoms. Women tend to reach such a crisis between the ages of 35-60.

A life that fails to communicate dreams met and personal fulfillment may be a life headed for crisis since women today feel the same life pressures as men. It is when they feel unfulfilled goals, personal dreams left undone that they begin accessing their lives. This is also when they begin looking at the future and when radical changes can occur.

For many women this is often associated with children leaving home and having the focus completely on themselves for the first time in many years. When this occurs, they may be acutely aware of a ticking clock, and dreams not accomplished. They may become dissatisfied with the mundane, normal routine of life. This might include normal activities, such as being a dutiful wife, or hard worker. Women going through such emotional changes are just as likely to attempt to find fulfillment in extramarital affairs as men of previous decades were.

Other female symptoms include radical changes in appearance, an attempt to ignite a more youthful perception and attitude. Some women during this time also opt for plastic surgery, excessive dieting, tattooing, and surround themselves with younger friends. Symptoms also include drinking, partying, and an overall feeling time is running out.

While symptoms vary woman to woman, and not everyone exhibits such extreme behaviors, common symptoms are depression, self-blame, restlessness, loss of sex interest, divorce, and starting new relationships. Even though women may not necessarily know why they are depressed, or why they feel a sense of hopelessness, there are steps they can take to work their way out of a crisis.

Changes that are dangerous and out of character to private and professional life are warnings of an impending problem. Changes such as attending college to upgrade skills, or a drastic haircut are not necessarily indicative of a negative change, and may actually be positive. It is when new habits, taken to the extreme that are characteristically and markedly different, when a crises imposes. Such changes represent negative results.

If behaviors associated with a female midlife crisis become excessive and women feel they are experiencing problems, there are self-help methods they can use. First indicate why the changes are there, and what can be done about it. Next, instead of focusing on how little purpose life has, women should find ways of filling time, which might include a heart to heart with a friend or loved one to find out the core of the problem. Refrain from making drastic life choices that will adversely affect the future, and consult a medical doctor if needed.




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