When Midlife Crisis Turns Into Depression

This article has been seating in my draft for quite so long. A year to be exact.  The recent suicide of Razorback drummer Brian Velasco has prompted me to post this article to remind you to reach out to your friend, your sibling, your office mate, your neighbor, your partner or just random person seating beside you in Grab Share. Your simple gesture of kindness may help save a life.

Oftentimes we think that joyful, strong and independent people do not need our attention. Wrong. Sometimes the happiest people are the loneliest. Sometimes the strongest people are the weakest. Sometimes the most independent person is the one who needs more attention and love.

And this is how I've been feeling last year...

I'm feeling a lot restless lately. I wanted to do so many things and accomplish things in such a short time. In reality though time is very limited.

I want to go back doing yoga, learn to sew and maybe level up my knowledge on urban farming. Parang gusto ko na din mag stop sa vlogging and blogging. Deactivate Facebook and go back to that life when social media isn't a thing.  

Ang daming tumatakbo sa isip. Di ko na sila mahabol kaya madalas may mga nakakalimutang mga bagay tulad ng saan inilagay ang telepono, and wallet, eyeglasses at iba pa.

Sometimes tears just roll down my cheeks without any reason. Ano itong nararamdaman ko? Ganito ba talaga ang feeling ng midlife crisis? Ano nga ba ang mid-life crisis?

According to Wikipedia, "A midlife crisis is a transition of identity and self-confidence that can occur in middle-aged individuals, typically 45–64 years old."

What's worst is when midlife crisis turns into depression because depression may result to having thoughts of committing suicide.

I am one lucky person because I have friends who keeps me entertained. Nora, who's based in California is my constant ka-chat sa madling-araw. Since my body clock coincides with US time, magka abot kami ng oras ni Nuts😀

Eulette, the widow of my late classmate Noi Tomas, is also a big help to me. She's my kakulitan naman mula umaga hanggang gabi. Actually di nya alam na may nararamdaman akong midlife crisis.  My purpose of chatting with her is actually to console her for losing her husband at such a young age. Pero sa true lang, she's the one helping me, di man nya alam. Ngayon malalaman nya na.😀

Then my youngest son Juan is the best antidote to this negative emotions. Of course hindi nya pa alam ang midlife crisis at hindi nya alam na naramdaman ko ito last year. His constant care and love for has helped me forget about depression.

Kaya kung sa akala nyong dahil masaya ang inyong kapatid, kaibigan, kamag-anak, kapitbahay hindi nyo na kakamustahin o kakausapin, MALI! May mga tao lang kasin magaling magadala ng mga negatibong nararamdaman.

Having midlife crisis does not mean you have troubled life. Midlife crisis and depression can happen to anyone kaya reach out ka din pag may time. Hindi yung pag may kailangan ka lang sa tao. 😀

Have you or a friend experienced a midlife crisis? If yes you might want to read this article I found at www.moneycrashers.com. Maybe you can pick some strategies to help resolve midlife crisis and avoid the trap of devastating depression.

Signs and Symptoms of a Midlife Crisis are Drastic Changes in Habits, Mood Swings, Impulsive Decision-Making, Irritable, Angry without justification or warning, inability to sleep or oversleeping, obsession with appearances, including different styles of clothing, makeup, and exercise routines, disconnecting from old friends and peplacing them with younger friends. Havigg feeling of general hopelessness and being “stuck in a rut. Thoughts of Death or Dying can lead to a dangerous obsession with death, and lead to depression. Sudden career change. Leaving a Spouse or Having an Affair. Increased Consumption of Alcohol or Drugs, Listless and Bored. Assigning Blame to others.

Tips and Strategies for Dealing with a Midlife Crisis:

1. Acknowledge the Crisis. Acknowledging the changes happening can help you find a way to move past the crisis.

2. Think Before Making Any Radical Changes.Before quitting a job, buying an expensive car, or leaving a spouse, talk to family members and friends. Sometimes, having an outside opinion can provide a useful perspective.

3. Get Professional Help. This can include different kinds of therapy, medicine, and holistic treatments.

4. Midlife Crises Are Not Inherently a Bad Thing. Use new thoughts and ideas in a positive way. With careful consideration and preparation, attitudes can improve with change, lessening the effects of the crisis.

5. Move Outside Your Comfort Zone. Trying a new activity, increasing a base of knowledge, and traveling can also help you move out of your comfort zones.

6. Volunteer More. Volunteering to help others can offer a new perspective to the problems caused by a midlife crisis. Working with the homeless or victims of domestic violence, for example, can help provide you with context during a midlife crisis.

7. Talk About the Crisis with Loved Ones

8. Create New Goals

9. Exercise and Eat Healthy Foods. Incorporating exercise, yoga, or meditation into a daily routine can help people suffering through a midlife crisis to gain perspective. Eat organic superfoods and take supplements for a much-needed energy boost.