To get through a midlife crisis, acknowledge your feelings, focus on self-care, redefine your purpose, set realistic goals, learn new things, strengthen relationships, and seek professional help if needed, turning this period of questioning into a chance for personal growth rather than impulsive action.
How can you cope with a midlife crisis
A midlife crisis is typically characterized as a period of self-doubt and introspection that occurs between the ages of thirty and sixty, often peaking in one's forties.
Midlife crises end when intense, maladaptive reactions are replaced by realistic planning, values-aligned choices, stabilized routines, and appropriate support or treatment. The most durable recoveries come from deliberate, incremental changes informed by objective constraints and aided by therapy or trusted advisors.
A midlife crisis is often thought to have three main stages: the trigger, the search for meaning, and the acceptance.
Science says the Midlife crisis doesn't last forever. Most people work through these feelings within 3-10 years, with the average being around 3-5 years.
Withdrawal: many people suffering a midlife crisis and questioning the meaning of their life withdraw into themselves. This is because lots of people experience a sense of shame during this stage of life and feel overwhelmed. They withdraw, which negatively affects their relationship with their partner.
One particular strand of therapy which is important when working with Midlife Crisis issues and Age Transitions, is existential psychotherapy. This therapy helps you to view your life experience as a journey rather than a trial – and a journey that's full of wonder and curiosity.
Yes, sometimes people who leave in the throes of a midlife crisis do come back. Sometimes, their partner no longer wants them. But rather than concentrate your energy on your husband's behavior and choices, I hope you will take a long look at your own life. Deal with your grief and the profound loss and change.
During this time, women aren't only dealing with biological changes, but they're also dealing with work problems, family issues, securing finances and reaching personal goals. It can be a really stressful time as women can also find themselves up against heart problems and even sleep deprivation.
Here are the eight most common ones, and why they fail so spectacularly.
The APA suggests 10 strategies to build resilience:
A midlife crisis is not a disorder but is mainly psychological. It occurs when someone looks at where they are in life compared to where they think they should be by a certain age.
Contentment and Gratitude: Philippians 4:11-13 teaches the importance of contentment in all circumstances through Christ's strength. Midlife can be a time of reflection on accomplishments and unfulfilled dreams. The Bible encourages gratitude for the present moment and trust in God's provision for the future.
Someone who is middle-aged may have to deal with illness, financial issues, career shifts, marital problems, divorce, death, and the early stages of mental or physical decline. This makes it difficult to build a midlife worth living, and it's not uncommon to experience an emotional or midlife crisis as a result.
The four behaviors that predict over 90% of divorces, known as Dr. John Gottman's "Four Horsemen," are Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, which erode connection, respect, and safety, leading to relationship breakdown. These destructive communication patterns, if persistent, signal that a marriage is likely to end, with contempt being the most damaging.
Some of the most common ones are: Impulsivity or risky activities – Many men in a midlife crisis act impulsively and with poor judgment. He may spend money excessively and without consulting his partner. He might gamble, drink more, or use drugs.
Various data suggest that the spouse who decided to call it quits regrets divorce more often than the other party.
Dissatisfaction with Career or Life Choices
One of the major signs of a midlife crisis is feeling dissatisfied with one's career or life choices. Men may question the decisions they've made in the past, wonder if they have missed opportunities, or feel that their current job no longer brings them fulfilment.
Your doctor may be able to prescribe hormone replacement therapies or antidepressants to help combat the physical and emotional symptoms of a midlife crisis. Speaking to a mental health professional can also help clarify symptoms and the underlying causes.
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It's the toll of chronic over-functioning, emotional labor, and years of nervous system override—especially in bodies shaped by trauma history. Midlife burnout often looks like: Flatness, detachment, or compassion fatigue. Rage outbursts or sudden tears.
Midlife divorce is rarely the result of a single issue; it's often the culmination of years of emotional drift, personal reflection, and life changes. For many, the identity shifts and emotional re-evaluation that come with the empty nest and midlife crisis can strain even the strongest of marriages.