For many years, when people referred to a midlife crisis, it was automatically assumed men were the only ones who suffered. That is not really true. Female midlife crisis occurs too. It was previously overlooked in women because the symptoms are different. For men, the biggest issue is fear of aging and everything that comes with it. Women experience different things than men.
A midlife crisis for a woman is more about an identity. During their adult years, their lives are full of family tasks, raising children, and managing the home. Eventually they gain more time and freedom. It is at this point a woman comes to realize that she no longer has an excuse for putting off the things she wanted to get accomplished in her life. Sometimes she will even question her own morals and beliefs that have been established for the majority of her life.
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.
Although each woman that goes through this will have a different experience, there are general symptoms that can occur in stages. The common stages women experience are depression, anger, denial, shock, and finally acceptance. Within each stage, there are a variety of symptoms that can occur.
Depression can cause feelings of hopelessness, lack of energy, and changes in eating or sleeping habits. Anger often leads to blame, typically directed at spouses, for not getting enough accomplished. Denial is often experienced in the beginning, as women make excuses or do not want to address their feelings.
It is also common for many women to undergo abnormal or uncharacteristic changes in behavior during a female midlife crisis. A woman may all of a sudden become nervous and distracted. She may make harsh spur-of-the-moment decisions, such as leaving a spouse or walking out of a job without a legitimate reason. Additionally, she may become obsessed with looking younger. It is common for women to change their wardrobe, hair, and makeup.
Women who are suffering from this type of issue are likely to get involved in activities that they would not have previously done, even in younger years. For example, she might decide to take skydiving lessons or pole dancing classes. Dropping longtime friends and other relationships can also occur, often replacing them with younger or less restricting ones.
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.
A midlife crisis for a woman is more about an identity. During their adult years, their lives are full of family tasks, raising children, and managing the home. Eventually they gain more time and freedom. It is at this point a woman comes to realize that she no longer has an excuse for putting off the things she wanted to get accomplished in her life. Sometimes she will even question her own morals and beliefs that have been established for the majority of her life.
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.
Although each woman that goes through this will have a different experience, there are general symptoms that can occur in stages. The common stages women experience are depression, anger, denial, shock, and finally acceptance. Within each stage, there are a variety of symptoms that can occur.
Depression can cause feelings of hopelessness, lack of energy, and changes in eating or sleeping habits. Anger often leads to blame, typically directed at spouses, for not getting enough accomplished. Denial is often experienced in the beginning, as women make excuses or do not want to address their feelings.
It is also common for many women to undergo abnormal or uncharacteristic changes in behavior during a female midlife crisis. A woman may all of a sudden become nervous and distracted. She may make harsh spur-of-the-moment decisions, such as leaving a spouse or walking out of a job without a legitimate reason. Additionally, she may become obsessed with looking younger. It is common for women to change their wardrobe, hair, and makeup.
Women who are suffering from this type of issue are likely to get involved in activities that they would not have previously done, even in younger years. For example, she might decide to take skydiving lessons or pole dancing classes. Dropping longtime friends and other relationships can also occur, often replacing them with younger or less restricting ones.
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.
