Men are typically the sex identified in reference to a midlife identity crisis. For men this can involve creating sudden changes in life, including extramarital affairs, divorce, excessive spending and shiny new cars. While men are still affected, a growing number of women are also suffering 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.
In today's world women feel the same sense of competition in the job market, the same achievement stresses, and the same pressures as men do. As a result, women are just as likely to begin to access what they have achieved in life, and what they haven't. They are also just as likely to begin to explore alternative options for living when life fails to reflect growth, or personal fulfillment they hoped for.
When such drastic emotional changes happen, women, like men, may also enter extramarital affairs. Feelings such as these are often related to children growing up and moving on. For the first time they now begin contemplating their own success levels and goals. They may be extremely conscious of time, and of unfulfilled dreams and desires. Women may develop an unusual dissatisfaction with the ordinary things they used to do, and may no longer feel fulfilled by caring for others, being a devoted spouse, or valued employee.
Some women, seeking a more youthful lifestyle, begin changing their life and looks to the extreme. Many have opted to surgically enhance a younger appearance and perception, and may also use body art, change eating habits, and begin partying to excess. Some may also form relationships with younger counterparts in an attempt to turn back the clock.
There are things women can do to prevent a full blown crisis from taking shape. Hopelessness, impatience, lack of interest in sex, separations and forming new attachments are all signs of a an imposing problem. Such feelings and associated behaviors can fluctuate from female to female. Not everyone will exhibit radical changes, and may simply be depressed for no reason, or dissatisfied with current lifestyles without a cause. Analyzing causes will assist women in identifying symptoms and solutions in how to resolve overwhelming feelings of hopelessness.
Not all changes are negative. Some changes are needed, such as continued education to make oneself more marketable in the workforce, and updating ones appearance is not always a bad thing either. It is when it is taken to the extreme, and other erratic behaviors are associated with it that it has become a problem.
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.
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.
In today's world women feel the same sense of competition in the job market, the same achievement stresses, and the same pressures as men do. As a result, women are just as likely to begin to access what they have achieved in life, and what they haven't. They are also just as likely to begin to explore alternative options for living when life fails to reflect growth, or personal fulfillment they hoped for.
When such drastic emotional changes happen, women, like men, may also enter extramarital affairs. Feelings such as these are often related to children growing up and moving on. For the first time they now begin contemplating their own success levels and goals. They may be extremely conscious of time, and of unfulfilled dreams and desires. Women may develop an unusual dissatisfaction with the ordinary things they used to do, and may no longer feel fulfilled by caring for others, being a devoted spouse, or valued employee.
Some women, seeking a more youthful lifestyle, begin changing their life and looks to the extreme. Many have opted to surgically enhance a younger appearance and perception, and may also use body art, change eating habits, and begin partying to excess. Some may also form relationships with younger counterparts in an attempt to turn back the clock.
There are things women can do to prevent a full blown crisis from taking shape. Hopelessness, impatience, lack of interest in sex, separations and forming new attachments are all signs of a an imposing problem. Such feelings and associated behaviors can fluctuate from female to female. Not everyone will exhibit radical changes, and may simply be depressed for no reason, or dissatisfied with current lifestyles without a cause. Analyzing causes will assist women in identifying symptoms and solutions in how to resolve overwhelming feelings of hopelessness.
Not all changes are negative. Some changes are needed, such as continued education to make oneself more marketable in the workforce, and updating ones appearance is not always a bad thing either. It is when it is taken to the extreme, and other erratic behaviors are associated with it that it has become a problem.
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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