Researchers confirmed recently what a lot of people are feeling — the mid-life blues.
Researchers from Great Britain and the U.S. analyzed data of more than two million people and spanning 35 years. They analyzed them for depression, anxiety, happiness and life satisfaction.
They found a U-shaped curve in which people reported being happiest in their 20s and in their 50s and older, but that both men and women were more likely to be depressed and were generally less happy in their 40s.
In fact, they discovered that for both sexes, the probability of depression peaks around the age of 44.
Not everybody is convinced the “slump” is all about age or other demographics. Previous happiness studies have suggested that demographics play a small role in overall happiness. For example, past studies have shown no significant differences in subjective well-being based on gender. In addition, some researchers have noted some differences in the age curve based on a particular culture or country.
One of the co-authors of the study, Andrew Oswald, an economics professor at the University of Warwick in Britain, thinks that this U-shaped curve of happiness occurs because people begin to confront their limitations and unrealistic dreams in their 30s and hit a low-point in their 40s. After that, they move past their disappointments and go on to feel more satisfied as they age. Other researchers have suggested that happiness improves with age because of some adaptation mechanism, which allows people to adjust better to changing circumstances.
A third potential explanation is that watching friends and family die off makes people more grateful and satisfied as they age.
Whatever the reasons, the study does point towards paying careful attention to people in the 40s for signs of psychological or mental distress. Mid-life blues could have serious and long-lasting damaging effects to not only the individuals themselves, but to family, friends, and business colleagues as well.
Maybe what’s needed is a mental checkup when one turns 40. We do it for our physical health. Why not do it for our psychological health as well?
How I overcame MY mid-life blues:
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Gene,
Thank you for taking the time to scour the research for us. Each post was intgeresting and made me want to comment, so I decided instead that I would comment on the most recent post. I’ll be back.
I can certainly agree with the explaination that we confront our limitations and unrealistic dreams. I spent a few years in the belly of the “U,” and have come out with much of the optimism I had in my 20’s and 30’s. Oddly enough, it was by reconnecting with the dreams of those years that I’ve found my life again.
Great blog. Thanks.
Gene
Not sure how I found this blog but delighted I did! I started my blog a few months ago and it’s great to find a kindred spirit. My approach to mid life and aging is coming from a different angle than yours – slightly – probably because of our academic backgrounds. I have a post masters in gerontology and personally, I’m knee deep in aging. Wish you had a subscription by e-mail because sometimes I don’t get to my RSS feed list.
One of the terms that I find very depressing is ‘anti-aging medicine.’ What’s your thinking on this?
Ruthan
You can bet that if someone thinks there’s a market for anti-aging medicine, they will try to exploit it for profit (even if it’s quackery). That is depressing, but reality.
Maybe I should market placebos as anti-aging medicine and beat them to the punch. At least people would know what they’re getting.
Gene,
I’ve been reading all your posts with great interest!
Since the end of January, each time I check for new ones I read “Mid-Life Blues”. I hope you are OK yourself and planning more posts soon.
b.t.w. Last month I turned 40. Let’s see what this will bring. 🙂
No worries. Just taking a break as I work on a couple of other things. Should be back posting in a day or two.
Well, I’ll be damn. I happened on this site, and read with great interest that depression seems to hit its peak at age 44.
My bouts with depression seemed to be at their worst about a year ago.
I was 44.
Maybe that’s a coincidence, but the theory of the “U” makes sense. I will look forward to seeing the other end of the “U.”
I will say, however, that I’ve experienced depression from my teen years on.
I’m currently in therapy. I’ve avoided anti-depressants because I fear the side effects. In some instances, the side effects sound worse than depression. My therapist is a good guy. He sort of considers me “cured” now, or at least in remission. At times I wish the therapy was a little more focused and goal-oriented. I want to finish and move on.
My depression stems from four areas: A lack of social friendships and meaningful relationships. I do have a wonderful family, but no real friends. A year after starting therapy, I still don’t have any friends, but I’m less bothered by it.
Secondly, religious strife and confusion. I’ve had just enough religion in my life to be really screwed up by it. Now I deal with it by not dealing with it. I’m just trying not to obsess over my soul’s salvation, which, according to the people where I used to attend church, is bound for hell anyway.
Third, I feel like I have underachieved somewhat in life, given my abilities. I was a TV journalist and writer, but haven’t achieved the success that some predicted for me, and that I thought was coming myself. I now work at a university in a good, stable job, but it’s dull at times.
Lastly, I’ve had Type 1 diabetes for 20 years. The day-to-day grind of the disease takes its mental and physical toll.
I’d be interested in hearing about what others think of the mid-life blues. Thanks for allowing me to vent.
Bottom line – getting rid of depression is all about changing the way you think.
One of the best lines my therapist once said was, “Sometimes you just have to tell your inner voice to shut the @#&* up.”
Cheers.
I’m still a bit worried Gene. Hope you will start posting new articles here soon again.
Tom
I took on a new job so I am swamped with learning the ropes and had to put my blog on the backburner. Hopefully you have rekindled the fire. Safe to say — I’m alive and well and still kicking up dirt.
Congrats with your new job!
Just take the time to do the necessary things first. This blog will patiently wait for you and I’ll check it out once in a while to see if there are any new posts to bewelcomed.
Gene, I bought a painting from you today at Festifall. I was the girl with the art critic father (the guy who was placing value on the size of the coffee cups in your paintings.) I tried to find your e-mail address on your web site, but couldn’t, so I figured this was the next best way to contact you. I would like to buy more of your stuff in the future so I wanted to keep in touch. My e-mail is kucera@email.unc.edu, and if you could give me some way to contact you, that would be great.
Thanks, and it was nice meeting you!