Midlife Crisis

Midlife is not linked to hormonal changes of women so it is not true that it starts after 40 like menopause. According to San Franciscan psychologist and author, the transition changes manifest between 35 and 40. Men may not have them until 45.It can be triggered by death of a loved one, job change, separation and divorce.A woman in her late thirties or early forties realize that they are approaching the age when childbearing is riskier if not bear physically and or or mentally incapacitated children.According to Carl Jung, it is a normal part of 'maturing'. A journey.A difficult journey with a certain amount of suffering, meaning to live through or to allow by suffering the loss, change, and letting go of much of what was brought into midlife. This transition is not easy and is greatly resisted. Midlife is ultimately about the search for true meaning in life. So when women start asking who they are, what are they doing in their lives, assessing what they have done, they are said to be going through the crisis.How do you know that you are into this crisis even you have not reached the start of life at forty? "New York Times" Editorial Page Editor Howell Raines wrote that

"it typically begins with mild twinges of dread, disappointment and restlessness that tiptoe in on little cat feet. Then in some cases, the cat feet turn to elephant feet.

Some symptoms of the crisis:

1. Fear or anxiety. Women tend to become secure of their security for the love of their spouses, their jobs or their financial resources and attention of their growing children.

2.Tension and stress. Plans that are perceived to be not going anywhere.Failures and disappointments are more in numbers than successes.

3. Anger of struggle. Believing that one does not deserve such struggle if only people she depends on are very cooperative and generous.

4. Health condition. Recognizing the symptoms associated with ageing process make one thinks of the mortality.

5. Time is running out. Aware that sooner or later, one is restricted physically and mentally to engage in activities/chores because of age.

6. Relationship. For unmarried or unattached women, the issue of being single at that point in life make them question what lead them to have celibate lives.


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