Mid-life Crisis

Definition

A mid-life crisis is a period of emotional turmoil in middle age characterized especially by a strong desire for change.

Analogy

Imagine you're driving on a long road trip. You've been on the highway for hours, and suddenly you feel restless. You want to take a different route or maybe even change your destination entirely. That's kind of what experiencing a mid-life crisis can feel like - it's this sudden urge to change direction halfway through your journey.

Related terms

Identity Crisis: This is when an individual experiences confusion about who they are or where their lives are going.

Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development: Erikson proposed eight stages through which every person goes through from infancy to late adulthood; each stage presents its unique challenge that needs resolution.

Empty Nest Syndrome: This term refers to feelings of sadness or loss some parents experience when their last child leaves home.