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They say life begins at 40, but at that age, depression often knocks on the door leaving women as the usual victims. The reasons are many and varied. The truth, however, is that there are ways to work around it.

A midlife crisis occurs in people between the ages of 40-60 years old, and according to experts, it is a normal part of the process of human maturation. Scientists claim that middle-aged individuals are most commonly in danger of developing depression. They say that the characteristics of mental wellness follow the course of the letter U, i.e. it reaches its peak in adolescence, falls to a low point at the age of 40 and recovers again at fifty plus.

What causes depression?

When you reach middle age you usual start reviewing your life and what you’ve achieved thus far. It is when individuals realize that they are no longer young combined with intense feelings of resentment that arise that they feel as if they have failed or haven’t achieved success in life. Most experience a kind of emotional transition in respect to where they are at in life, whether they are satisfied with their lives and what they would like to change. After the age of 50 you usually return to your happy, smiley self and when you reach 70, those who are in good physical condition will feel as happy as they did when they were in their youth. It is important to note that depression does not make exceptions in regard to gender, economic, social or marital status.

Experiences and reactions

When the midlife crisis is so intense that it leads to depression, then these people feel bored with individuals and things that they may have found interesting in the past and hence feel the need for change. They question their choices and feel dissatisfaction with their lives. They are confused about who they are, but are unable to make decisions about where they want to be in life. For example, those who are married feel anger towards their better half and they feel that they are responsible for the situation they are in. As is most common, at times these individuals may seek a new and intense romance.

External factors and other obstacles may intensify the midlife crisis, as well as childhood traumas that have not been overcome. In these cases psychotherapy is necessary.