Are you suffering from an identity crisis?

Do you sometimes look in the mirror and fail to recognize yourself? You take a deeper look and wonder what your purpose really is in this life? You could probably be suffering from an identity crisis. It comes at any age or point in life but can easily be checked.

An identity crisis can be triggered by major changes in your life like age advancement, marriage, divorce, child birth, a major transition like from college to work or getting fired.

In most cases, you will find yourself questioning your role in society, second guessing every decision you make and trying to find real passion in what you normally do.

Thinking about your life once in a while is healthy - to give perspective and a sense of direction. However, when the thoughts start to cloud your thinking and affect your daily functions, this could be as a result of an identity crisis than can ultimately lead to depression.

Here are some of the things you can do when you believe you might be suffering from an identity crisis:

Take time out to think

When you start second guessing your purpose in life, it would probably be wise for you to take time out from your daily schedule and look inwardly and explore.

You will need to ask yourself a series of questions about the things that make you happy and sad. Ask yourself the changes you would like to make and what can stay. Be in charge.

If you can answer your own questions and figure out the root of the problem by yourself, the better for you. 

It might be hard to get over an identity crisis especially when each year comes with a different change that triggers this problem all over again, in that case, do not shy from asking for help.

Find other sources of joy and ways of coping

Your life might be a continuous cycle of monotonous activities every day which can tend to be boring, and this could be the source of your problem.

You are probably wondering if this will be your life forever and how long you have to endure the same cycle every day.

If that’s the case, you can find something fulfilling to do in your life that is not part of your daily routine.

There are various ways you can find fulfillment like: taking up a new hobby, maybe joining a cooking class, getting a pet, volunteering or a job change. If it makes you happy don’t let go of it.

Ignore internal and external judgment

Sometimes we raise the bar too high for ourselves that makes it easy to fall. And this failure to achieve can have a great effect on our lives and how we feel about ourselves generally.

Also, what people think and expect of us plays another major role in the same story. Learn to live your own life and not letting society dictate who or what you should be.

That pressure can be overwhelming especially when you reach a certain age or point in your life when people expect you to behave in a certain or have achieved a certain number of things.

It may take the people around you a longer time to accept the changes you must make to necessitate your self-perception, but in the long run you will be yourself and truly happy when you have control of your own life and thoughts.

Ask for support

When going through an identity crisis, you don’t have to suffer alone. Although you will need to take time out to think about your life and purpose, it doesn’t mean you stay alone.

When you stay in solitude it is easy to believe negative thoughts about yourself than positive ones because you will be lonely.

If your family and friends are not available, you can always join a support group, be part of community building activities or join a church. Whatever works for you or suits your problem best, go for it.

Seek professional help

Most people fear visiting health professionals to discuss their mental health, probably because of the stigma that comes with being unable to cope.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every four people will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their life.

When your thoughts are overwhelming and your personal solutions are not helping, seek help from a professional.

When thoughts of self-doubt and a lack of purpose start to overpower you, they can easily lead to depression or even suicidal thoughts.