The Midlife Crisis - Coursework Example

Running head: THE MIDLIFE CRISIS. The Midlife Crisis. Institution: Abstract. The midlife crisis refers to the effect of the physical and psychological changes which individuals experience between the ages of 40 – 55. It is characterized by feelings of doubt, anxiety and fear of mortality, accompanied by physical changes and often leads to behavior modifications. Precipitating factors can be physical, psychological or hormonal. Both men and women are affected, but respond in different ways. The midlife crisis can be combated with a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude towards the inevitable aging process. The Midlife Crisis. Midlife, usually connoting the years between 40 and 55, is a natural stage of transition, bridging youth and old age. At this point, it is common for both men and women to pause to take stock of their past and reconsider the direction of their lives. The majority of people does this quite comfortably, with no particular convulsions of mind or behavior. The concept of the ‘Midlife Crisis’ thus remains a controversial syndrome. Its’ roots can be traced to the works of psychologist Carl Jung, who categorized the five major stages of midlife as (1) Accommodation of ones’ personality to the perception of others (2) Separation of the adopted personae from ones’ self-perception (3) Liminality or uncertainty about ones’ true identity (4) Reintegration or true understanding of oneself (5) Individuation or reconciliation of the different aspects of ones’ personality into a balanced whole. The term ‘midlife crisis’ was coined by the Canadian psychologist Elliot Jaques in his 1965 article ‘Death and the Midlife Crisis,’ for the International Journal of Psychoanalysis, to refer to a period when adults must confront their own mortality (Psychology Today, 17 April,2006). However, it was with the 1976 publication of Gail Sheehys’ bestseller, ‘Passages: Predictable Crisis of Adult Life,’ that the concept entered mainstream thought and became a part of popular vocabulary (Twenty Questions, 7 August, 2006). The argument still continues as to whether the midlife crisis is an exaggerated myth or a fact. Opponents of the concept aver that the midlife crisis is a chimera brought about by increased prosperity and leisure time for greater self-absorption. Likewise, the ‘social clock,’ giving a strict schedule of the various stages in life, is not uniformly applicable to all societies, thus making the midlife crisis a debatable theory (MacDoniels, 1997). The adherents of the concept attribute it to tangible psychological factors and physical changes. When we consider the variables that contribute to the understanding of the midlife crisis, culture, personality and gender come to the fore. The midlife crisis is largely a “culture specific phenomenon, found primarily among people in todays’ technologically advanced Western society” (Atkinson, n.d.). Members of traditional cultures in which people reaching middle age are valued as elders respected for their experience, are not familiar with this phenomenon. It is more prevalent in Western societies which reinforce (mainly through the media), the stereotyped advantages of youth and virility over age and wisdom. In terms of personality, people who rarely introspect and tend to avoid confronting problems are more likely to be affected by the stark reality of midlife changes and experience a crisis than those who observe and accept ongoing changes in themselves and their environment and adapt accordingly (Twenty Questions, 7 August, 2006). Gender is another variable contributing to the midlife crisis. Studies show that both the precipitating causes of the midlife crisis and the reaction to it differ in men and women. The symptoms of the midlife crisis can appear gradually as the person passes through middle age, or they can be triggered suddenly by a significant ‘turning point’ such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job (Twenty Questions, 7 August, 2006). They can be mild or severe and generally include boredom or exhaustion or frantic energy, self-questioning, daydreaming, irritability and unexpected anger, acting on alcohol, drugs, food or other compulsions, greatly increased or decreased sexual drive, extra-marital affairs – particularly with younger partners, and extremes of ambition There is often dissatisfaction with ones’ former lifestyle and priorities. A restless urge to do things differently, leads to sudden behavioral modifications. Increased introspection about the meaning of life and the direction to be taken in the future causes a sense of ambiguity about ones’ motives and decisions (Psychology Today, 17 April, 2006). Feelings of confusion, anxiety, disillusionment, helplessness and growing intimations of mortality, coupled with a sense of being trapped in a life role which offers no scope for personal fulfillment, all lead to an existential crisis of identity and meaning. As Winifred Gallagher writes about in ‘ Midlife Myths,’ in The Atlantic, May 1993, it is a period when people “suddenly realize that they have squandered their lives and betrayed their dreams” (Twenty Questions, 7 August, 2006). The leading factors that exacerbate the midlife crisis are stress at work, physical deterioration, increased leisure, intellectual change, a sense of anticlimax after achievement, financial insecurity, breakdown in personal relationships and doubts about the direction of ones’ life (Gray, 1997). The midlife crisis has traditionally been associated with the male. The psychological causes are many. Societies which emphasize the premium worth of youth cause men to experience a loss of masculinity and confusion over their changing roles both at work and at home. Decrease in sexual function is difficult to accept. Others argue that the midlife crisis in men is the result of physical changes, following the ‘male menopause’ or ‘andropause’ of 40 – 50 years and the accompanying physiological, hormonal and chemical changes. The gradual decrease in the manufacture and utilization of testosterone, the hormone responsible for secondary sex characteristics, brought about by the increase of the protein SHBG and the thickening of the cell walls, leads to a loss of the sex drive and impotence. Lack of deep sleep is also a contributory factor. Emotional symptoms of irritability, depression and mood-swings are accompanied by physical symptoms of stiffness in muscles and joints, loss of energy, night sweats, dry skin, hair loss, weight gain and slow recovery from injuries (Fielder, 2003). The concept of the female midlife crisis is now commonly accepted. The physiological changes are obviously tied to the menopause, with which the ovarian secretion of the hormone estrogen stops, causing symptoms which include hot flashes, night time sweating and dryness of the vagina, which makes sexual intercourse painful. Hormonal changes lead to mood swings and reduced sex drive. Psychological factors are chiefly those concerned with personal relationships, exacerbated by the loneliness associated with the ‘empty nest syndrome,’ when the children leave home (Atkinson, n.d.). The attitude of women to midlife and the precipitating factors for the midlife crisis differ from that of men. Women tend to have a more positive attitude towards midlife and a greater sense of fulfillment. Researchers at the MacArthur Foundations’ ‘National Study of Well Being at Midlife’ found gender differences in the triggers for the midlife crisis. While the turning point for men is usually connected with work, for women, it is the family which plays the central role: divorce, extramarital affairs, a parents’ death and dissatisfaction with one’ own parental role are all contributory factors. Women also place greater emphasis on personal introspection and health problems and worry about slowing down and losing their attractiveness (Shellenbarger, cited in Twenty Questions, 7 August, 2006). Shellenberger lists certain archetypes of the midlife crisis in women: the adventurer who throws herself into new experiences, the lover who searches for intimacy, the leader who attempts to mark her place in life, the gardener who tends to her personal world, the artist who opts for self-expression through art and the seeker who follows the spiritual quest for self-realization (Shellenbarger, 18 April, 2005). The above model proved true in the case of my Mother, who reached menopause at the age of 50. The attendant hot flashes and osteoporosis, which resulted in a fractured shoulder after a fall, initially made her irritable and prone to sudden tears and accusations of neglect directed towards my Father and myself. Later, she joined a church group and attended regular meetings, becoming the ‘seeker’ whose spiritual resources gave her the strength to face midlife with equanimity. A vast majority of individuals pass through midlife comfortably. In the case of those caught in the throes of the midlife crisis, countermeasures can be taken on two planes: physical and psychological. Physically, the first rule is to follow a healthy, balanced diet, low on refined foods and saturated fats, with nutritional supplements if necessary. The second golden rule is to adhere to a daily exercise routine which will help in guarding against obesity, while toning both the body and the brain. Regular health check-ups are an insurance against ill health. An optimum sleep schedule also pays dividends. Hormone Replacement Therapy is sometimes touted as a panacea for the midlife crisis, but its’ efficacy has not been conclusively proved. Psychological coping mechanisms include engaging in mentally stimulating activities like crosswords or a new academic interest; enjoyment of leisure activities and mastery of new skills; incorporating methods of combating stress such as yoga and meditation into ones’ lifestyle; the forging of strong social bonds to form a support system; talking about ones’ doubts and anxieties; maintaining a balance between work and home; a little foresight in making financial provisions for retirement and expanding the purely physical aspect of sex to focus more on intimacy and love. Above all, a positive attitude towards midlife as an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the past and to explore new personal horizons in the belief that ‘the best is yet to come,’ can steer one safely through the turbulent waters of the midlife crisis. (Psychology Today, 17 April, 2006. Gray,1997. Fielder, 2003). References. Atkinson, R. (n.d.) Midlife: The Crisis Reconsidered. Retrieved 9 November, 2006 from http://usm.maine.edu/~atkinson/midlife.htm Fielder, D. MaleHealth. 9 May, 2003. Mid-life crisis. Retrieved 10 November 2006 from http://www.malehealth.co.uk/userpage1.cfm?item_id=125#prevent Gray, C.bmj.com. 20/27 December,1997. Tackling the midlife crisis. Retrieved 9 November, 2006 from http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/315/7123/52-7123 MacDoniels, J. 1 December, 1997.Mid-Life Crisis: Recent Research. Retrieved 10 November, 2006 from http://www.hope.edu/academic/psychology/335/webrep2/crisis.html Psychology Today’s Diagnostic Dictionary: Mid-life. 17 April, 2006 Retrieved on 11 November 2006 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/mid-life.html Shellenbarger,S. Awakened Woman. E-magazine. 18 April, 2005. The Archetypes of Midlife Crisis. From The Breaking Point. Retrieved 9 November, 2006 http://www.awakenedwoman.com/shellenbarger_breaking.htm Twenty Questions About Midlife Crisis. 7 August, 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2006. http://lifetwo.com/production/midlife-crisis-book-top , Read More