Despite the many jokes people often make about getting older, midlife crises can be uncomfortable, stressful experiences for individuals and their loved ones. While we all undergo different life transitions, a midlife crisis can cause you to question your priorities, relationships, and overall identity.
And although it isn’t a specific clinical condition, midlife crises may exacerbate other problems, like depression and anxiety. With that in mind, the signs and symptoms can look different for everyone. Let’s get into some of the common midlife crisis symptoms in women.
Chronic Feelings of Restlessness
No matter what, you feel like you can’t sit still. There is a persistent sense of dreadful and morbid curiosity- you feel unfulfilled, and you aren’t sure what to do about it.
Maybe you also feel hyperaware of your mortality. You might worry that you’re running out of time or that the best years are behind you. You might also feel a sense of dissatisfaction- it’s as if you want to achieve more, but no matter how hard you try, it doesn’t feel like enough.
Restlessness can be a key symptom of a midlife crisis. It can emerge from any transition, such as your children leaving home, changing jobs, or even moving into a new home.
Menopause Struggles
Menopause can be a tumultuous transition for some women. Menopause often correlates with concerns related to your sex drive, appearance, and basic needs, like sleeping and eating.
At times, these fluctuating physical and emotional symptoms may feel defeating. In some cases, they can wreak havoc on your confidence and well-being.
While menopause itself probably isn’t responsible for triggering a midlife crisis, it can certainly exacerbate complications during this time. Unfortunately, we live in a society that often worships youthfulness. For some women, menopause may represent a reminder of aging, which can trigger feelings of discomfort, insecurity, and even invisibility.
Increased Impulsivity
You quit your job without notice. You booked a month-long trip to Europe without your family. You’re opening a new business without any capital.
Sometimes, the best decisions are the ones made without any planning or rationale. But if you’re in a concerning pattern of making rash decisions, this behavior will inevitably result in undesirable consequences.
Impulsivity is often the action associated with restlessness. It’s how people aim to combat the empty void sometimes associated with life. But chronic impulsivity can create serious relationship, financial, and physical consequences. Furthermore, you risk leaving your future self a massive mess to clean once you realize these implications.
Perpetual Regret
You’re starting to question if you ever should have married your spouse. You wonder if you should have pursued a different career. Maybe you keep fantasizing about another life, a life that is completely and utterly different from your own.
If you wish you had done some things differently, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, research shows that 40% of adults regret their life choices.
That said, you might be having a midlife crisis if you dwell in your regret. Such dwellings can keep you trapped in the past, making it challenging to focus on your current and future goals.
Lack of Motivation
You no longer care much about your job. The house is a mess, but it doesn’t really faze you. You keep eyeing your gym bag, but driving to the gym and working out feels like an insurmountable task.
Lack of motivation can be a key symptom in several mental health conditions, but it can also coincide with midlife crises. It may come from a sense of feeling like nothing matters. It can also be a response to burnout.
Increased Envy
You keep scrolling through Facebook and feeling angry at everyone else’s seemingly perfect lives. Even if you know social media distorts the truth, you can’t help but wonder if everyone else is doing so much better than you. You feel envious- you want what they have, and it may also cause anger, sadness, and shame.
Envy can happen when you feel like you lack something we desire. Envy can happen at any time- you might want to feel more attractive, have more money, or earn more professional success.
In the event of a midlife crisis, envy often coincides with pervasive feelings of inferiority or incompetence. Instead of feeling grateful for your life and your experiences, you feel disappointed by them.
Therapy For Midlife Crisis Symptoms in Women
There is no doubt that transitions during middle age can feel unsettling and lonely. Additionally, if you struggle with other mental health issues, you may feel even more vulnerable during this time.
You are not alone. Therapy offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore complex feelings. Together, we will work on recognizing various stress triggers and identifying healthier coping skills for managing such discomfort.
There is hope, and we can get through this challenging time together. Contact me today to get started.