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Have you ever been in a situation where you feel ready for what lies ahead, but then something unexpected happens? It could be getting a new boss, a health scare, a death in the family, etc. Suddenly, your clear path forward is no longer clear. You find yourself in a transition fog. This in-between space of how things were and how they will be, could bring uncertainty. And tackling this requires flexibility and adjustment.
Experiencing such changes and adjusting to them can be challenging at times. They might catch you off-guard as you didn't anticipate them. It is also important to note that these changes need not be necessarily bad. For example, a promotion in your job or marriage can be a positive change. However, these could also bring a lot of stress and anxiety.
On this page
About Life Transitions
About Life Transitions
Therapists / Counselors for Life Transitions
FAQs
Mental Health Care for Life Changes
Major Causes
Common Signs
Risk Factors
How it Impacts Mental Health
How to Deal With Your Symptoms
Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You
Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today
Have you ever been in a situation where you feel ready for what lies ahead, but then something unexpected happens? It could be getting a new boss, a health scare, a death in the family, etc. Suddenly, your clear path forward is no longer clear. You find yourself in a transition fog. This in-between space of how things were and how they will be, could bring uncertainty. And tackling this requires flexibility and adjustment.
Experiencing such changes and adjusting to them can be challenging at times. They might catch you off-guard as you didn't anticipate them. It is also important to note that these changes need not be necessarily bad. For example, a promotion in your job or marriage can be a positive change. However, these could also bring a lot of stress and anxiety.
FAQs
Adjusting to any sort of change can cause stress. This is because they disrupt the way you were living life earlier.
It is almost impossible to prepare for them completely, but there are certain things you can do to tackle them. Giving yourself time to take it all in is the first step. This allows you to take reasonable measures and not get overwhelmed. Additionally, having a support system of people who will stick with you through such changes gives you a better chance to stand strong against the winds of change.
The best way to approach them is to see them as an opportunity for growth. Even though they bring stress and anxiety, they also open doors for a different life. Certain transitions will always be more complex to deal with than others. But these challenging times can also strengthen your bonds with your loved ones.
It is a type of counseling that helps you adjust to significant life changes. Your counselor will identify your challenges and help you develop a coping mechanism to tackle them.
Depending on the cause, the mental health expert recommends one or multiple therapy types. These could be Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, etc.
Mental Health Care for Life Changes
Change is a constant part of life, and we go through them regularly. But sometimes, they can be challenging. They can make you doubt yourself and your abilities. The stress they bring can be hard to manage. This can affect your lifestyle significantly as you may become prone to many mental disorders.
Talking to a therapist can provide support and guidance to help you navigate this phase of your life. They will help you develop strategies to cope with the change. A professional's help will ensure that these transitions don't affect the rest of your life.
Major Causes
Life transitions are unique for everyone. As these are primarily unexpected life events, there is significantly less one can do to prepare themselves. But some transitional events are more complex to tackle than others. These are as follows:-
- Job Loss or Change: Losing a job brings the apparent challenge of finding a way to sustain yourself. It may also bring an opportunity to excel further than ever before. A change in job means a change in environment. You must adjust to new people, rules, and expectations.
- Death of a Loved One: It may be the most difficult life transition one can go through. It leaves a gaping hole that will never be filled, and we must learn how to live with it as part of our life.
- Retirement: You have had a busy life, but now you are free from all responsibilities. It does sound calming, but now you have to adjust to the idleness. Alternatively, find a way to go through the day. It's liberating, but now that you don't have any rules to follow, you have to take charge of your actions.
- Marriage: Marriage can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. The promise to share your life with another individual requires complete faith and trust in each other.
- Divorce or Breakup: Someone was your safe place but moving away from them forces you into unfamiliar territory. Earlier, you had the support of one individual no matter what. Now, you need to look out for yourself.
There are some other major life incidents like moving to a new city or graduating from college. These can also lead to a transitional phase in your life.
Common Signs
Some of the common signs of life transitions are:
- Stress and Anxiety
- Time management issues
- Feeling lonely and unsure
- Loss of self-esteem
- Loss of friendship ties
- Depression and sadness
Risk Factors
The following are the risk factors:
- Academic changes
- Half-heartedly committing to a relationship
- Moving to a new place
- The perinatal period and immediate post-pregnancy
- Parenting
- Menopause
- Retirement or the financial inability to retire
- Loss of a family member or friend
How it Impacts Mental Health
Other than causing stress and confusion, these changes can also impact your mental health. There is a risk of the following mental health conditions:
Adjustment Disorder
A major life event can disrupt our routine and make it impossible to cope with new circumstances. These can lead to adjustment disorder. Individuals suffering from this may avoid family, engage in dangerous behavior, and even have suicidal thoughts. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders states the symptoms of this as impairment in important areas of functioning, feeling overwhelming panic, and anxious mood.
Depression
The uncertainty of what lies ahead may even lead to depression in cases where the individual is uncertain about or uncomfortable with the change.
Anxiety
Any type of change can make you anxious, as it confuses you. You may even have to change your approach and lifestyle.
Loneliness
These transitions might push you into a different mental space. You might feel alone in a big world if the event only affects you. Moving to a new place can also result in losing ties with old friends while you struggle to adjust to new people.
Stress
Adapting to changes can be tricky. They bring a set of challenges that may be new to you. Tackling them is stressful and demanding.
How to Deal With Your Symptoms
Here are some ways to deal with your symptoms:
- Focus on future: It is essential to understand that the transition period is just a phase. You may need to adjust your path, but you shouldn't lose focus of your goal. Do not dwell too long on what has happened.
- Take support from people around you: It is always nice to have people who will be there for you through thick and thin. Rely on your support system to help you cope with changes. In the process, make new friends too. Some changes can force you to withdraw from the social world. This will only make it difficult to adjust. If moving to a new place, find people with similar interests. Changes are always easier to go through with others having your back.
- Give yourself time and credit: Don't let your emotions take control of you. Sit back and accept the change. Don't get overwhelmed and lose control. Give yourself time to adjust. Also, understand that it can't always be sunny. If you made a mistake, accept it and learn from that.
Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You
Sometimes, just talking to a therapist about your life changes can help you better understand and accept the situation. Along with helping you cope, they can treat other mental health disorders that might accompany those changes. They might even recommend a certain type of therapy based on the incident.
As certain events can be more stressful, the treatment may require dedicated efforts from a specialist and support from your loved ones.
Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today
It is crucial to tackling these transitions positively. A therapist can support and guide you as you cope with new challenges. It can be tricky, but you don't have to do it alone. Support from your family and friends and professional guidance can make it easy for you to adjust.
If you are struggling with a big change, schedule an appointment with us now.