Saturday, February 1, 2014

Learning About The Female Midlife Crisis

By Serena Price


Once thought to only be acceptable for or experienced by men, the midlife crisis causes a hiccup in the progression of life and aging. Men are not the only sufferers. Female midlife crisis can occur as well. It is, however, different for women. A woman's conflict is more often tied to a feeling of boredom and disappointment in not accomplishing things. In contrast, a man's conflict is more about being afraid of getting older and dying.

Although aging has a lot to do with the conflicts a woman experiences, it is more about figuring out who she is now. At this point in their lives, women have been supreme multi-taskers, balancing motherhood, keeping the family dynamic intact, and taking care of the household. In addition to all that, there are many women who also have jobs. Now that a great deal of these tasks are disappearing, the woman faces uncertainty. What will she do with this time? Have any goals been accomplished that were planned years ago? She realizes that there are not as many things holding her back anymore. It is not uncommon for sufferers to question everything that makes them who they are, including religious beliefs.

Generally, a female midlife crisis can occur anywhere from the mid to late 30s through the 60s. It often coincides with menopause, which can also be a trigger. This is the period of life when the family dynamics change because the children are growing up and leaving the home. Life-altering changes such as a divorce or death can be a trigger as well.

Each woman's experience will be different, not just because of the physical differences but because of the differences in life choices. Despite this, there are a few symptoms that commonly occur, which are typically grouped into stages. Shock, anger, denial, and depression are experienced, followed by acceptance. There is not a general order these stages follow.

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.

There are many behavioral changes that can come with a female midlife crisis. Dissatisfaction with almost everything and unease or restlessness can cause women to appear distracted, nervous, and disheveled. Many sufferers will make decisions on a whim, such as buying things that are not needed or suddenly quitting a job. It is also common for sufferers to be overly concerned with looking younger and will often try to dress younger or wear makeup to hide their aging.

A woman suffering from this issue may also decide to start getting involved in risky activities or those she would not normally do. They can be as risky as bungee jumping off bridges or as calm and safe as tap dancing classes. She may all of a sudden decide to replace old friends with new ones or have an affair.

There are some important aspects that can help the sufferer and her loved ones get through a female midlife crisis. Talking about what she is feeling and coming up with ways to help her is important. It is also important to find healthy ways to fill free time.




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