Are you having a midlife crisis now? Let's talk about what it really is.

Do you remember the middle-aged person in those movies and dramas who suddenly quits his job, buys a brand new sports car, starts having problems with his family, and turns his life upside down? Yes, that's what most of us think of when we hear the word "midlife crisis." But is this really something to joke about? This is what we're talking about today. In fact, as doctors, we now prefer to call it a "midlife transition" rather than a "crisis." Because this time doesn't affect everyone in a bad way. For some, this can even be the best time to develop many things in life. The most important thing is to prevent this transition period from turning into a severe depression and seek help if necessary.

What is this midlife crisis?

Although the term "midlife crisis" has been around since the 1980s, it has never been an officially recognized mental illness . Simply put, it is a general term for a series of mental and behavioral changes that occur in midlife.

So when is this "middle age"? It varies from person to person. It usually occurs between the ages of 37 and 50. This condition does not occur suddenly. It often occurs with major life events. Think about things like this,

• The last child in the house is either going to university or getting married.
• Celebrating a big birthday like 40th or 50th.
• The death of their parents.
• A major change in job or approaching retirement.

With things like this, people are tempted to look back on their lives and ask questions like, "What have I done so far?" and "Am I happy with my life?"

Is this the same for both men and women?

No. Although both men and women can experience this midlife transition, the way it manifests itself is very different.

Regarding men:

The "buy a red sports car" story we mentioned earlier is an example of a stereotype related to men. While not everyone is like that, men these days think a lot about their success, especially success at work. They may think about things like, "Did I not get to where I wanted to be?" or "Where do I stand compared to others?" and they may try hard to prove themselves and show the world that they are successful.

Regarding women:

Women, even if they work, often measure their worth through family relationships. That is, "Am I a good wife?", "Am I a good mother?" When their children grow up and leave home, they may feel that their main role is over, and they may feel like, "Who am I now?" "Have I lost my identity?"

Is this really a normal stage in life?

Yes. Many psychologists now see this as a normal developmental stage in life. Just like childhood and adolescence, middle age is just another stage we all pass through. It's a time when we begin to rethink our priorities and goals in life.

A lot of good things can happen during this time. Just think,

• After the responsibilities of raising children are over, women are motivated to pursue a degree or start a new business that they have dreamed of since childhood but were unable to do.
• Men, instead of being confined to work, are starting to help with household chores, take up gardening, devote themselves to art, and spend more time with their children.
• Women start doing things for their own happiness, thinking, "I've always done my duty to everyone, now I need to think about myself too." For example, they may refuse to take care of their grandchildren all the time and instead take a trip with their friends.

How do you know if this is turning into depression?

This is the most important thing we all need to be aware of. Although the midlife transition is normal, sometimes it can develop into a severe depression (Major Depression) . See if you or someone close to you has the following symptoms.

If you or someone you know has one or more of these symptoms, please don't ignore it. Definitely see a doctor.

What to do if you fall into depression?

The good news is that depression is a treatable and completely curable condition. There are two main treatments for it.

1. Talk Therapy / Psychotherapy: Learning to manage your emotions and thoughts by talking to a qualified counselor or psychiatrist is a very effective method.

2. Antidepressant Medication: Medications that balance the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. These should only be taken on the recommendation of a doctor .

Many studies have found that a person with severe depression can achieve a faster and more complete recovery by using both of these treatments together. But that is up to the doctor who examines your condition.

So, if you have the slightest doubt about this, don't be shy or afraid to talk to your family doctor or a psychiatrist . That's the biggest help you can do for yourself.

Midlife crisis, depression, middle age, anxiety, mental health