What It Means to Be Having an Identity Crisis

What It Means to Be Having an Identity Crisis Theories Personality Psychology Print Identity Crisis How Our Identity Forms out of Conflict By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on October 31, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW on October 31, 2019 Plume Creative / Digital Vision / Getty Images More in Theories Personality Psychology Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology You have probably heard the term identity crisis  before and you probably have a fairly good idea of what it means. But where did this idea originate? Why do people experience this kind of personal crisis? Is it something confined to the teenage years? The concept originates in the work of developmental psychologist Erik Erikson, who believed that the formation of identity was one of the most important parts of a persons life. While developing a sense of identity is an important part of the teenage years, Erikson did not believe that the formation and growth of identity were just confined to adolescence. Instead, identity is something that shifts and grows throughout life as people confront new challenges and tackle different experiences. What Is an Identity Crisis? Are you unsure of your role in life? Do you feel like you dont know the real you? If you answer yes to the previous questions, you may be experiencing an identity crisis. Theorist Erikson coined the term identity crisis and believed that it was one of the most important conflicts people face in development. According to Erikson, an identity crisis is a time of intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself. Eriksons own interest in identity began in childhood. Raised Jewish, Erikson appeared very Scandinavian and often felt that he was an outsider of both groups. His later studies of cultural life among the Yurok of northern California and the Sioux of South Dakota helped formalize Eriksons ideas about identity development and identity crisis. Erikson described identity as a subjective sense as well as an observable quality of personal sameness and continuity, paired with some belief in the sameness and continuity of some shared world image. As a quality of unself-conscious living, this can be gloriously obvious in a young person who has found himself as he has found his communality. Identity Status Theory Researcher James Marcia (1966, 1976, 1980) has expanded upon Eriksons initial theory. According to Marcia and his colleagues, the balance between identity and confusion lies in making a commitment to an identity. Marcia also developed an interview method to measure identity as well as four different identity statuses. This method looks at three different areas of functioning: occupational role, beliefs and values, and sexuality. Identity achievement occurs when an individual has gone through an exploration of different identities and made a commitment to one.Moratorium is the status of a person who is actively involved in exploring different identities but has not made a commitment.Foreclosure status is when a person has made a commitment without attempting identity exploration.Identity diffusion occurs when there is neither an identity crisis or commitment. Those with a status of identity diffusion tend to feel out of place in the world and dont pursue a sense of identity. Causes In Eriksons stages of psychosocial development, the emergence of an identity crisis occurs during the teenage years in which people struggle with feelings of identity versus role confusion. In todays rapidly changing world, identity crises are more common today than in Eriksons day. These conflicts are certainly not confined to the teenage years. People tend to experience them at various points throughout life, particularly at points of great change, including: Losing or starting a jobBeginning a new relationshipEnding a marriage or partnershipHaving a childLosing a loved oneMovingExperiencing a traumatic eventLearning about a health condition Identity crises are also common among people with mental illness, including depression, codependence, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Why Many People With BPD Also Have Difficulty Finding Themselves Symptoms How can you tell if you’re having an identity crisis? While we all question who we are from time to time, you may be having an identity crisis if you are going through a big change or stressful time in life and the following questions begin to interfere with your daily life. Who am I? This question may be in general, or in regards to your relationships, age, and/or career.What are my values?What is my role in society or purpose in life?What are my spiritual beliefs?What am I passionate about? A Word From Verywell There’s a good reason to overcome an identity crisis. Researchers have found that those who have made a strong commitment to an identity tend to be happier and healthier than those who have not. Exploring different aspects of yourself in the different areas of life, including your role at work, within the family, and in romantic relationships, can help strengthen your personal identity. Consider looking within to figure out the qualities and characteristics that define you and make you feel grounded and happy as well as your values, interests, passions, and hobbies.