Middle age unhappiness
This is entirely true!
People are most likely to become depressed in middle age, according to a worldwide study of happiness. The team of economists leading the work found that we are happiest towards the beginning and end of our lives, leaving us most miserable in middle years between 40 and 50.
The results, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, showed that people’s levels of happiness followed a U-shaped curve, a pattern that was remarkably consistent in the vast majority of countries the researchers looked at, from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe.
For both men and women in the UK, the probability of depression peaked at around the age of 44. In the US, men were most likely to be unhappiest at 50, while for women the age was 40.
The worst time in my life was in my late 40’s and early 50’s. CONOCO, the company that I faithfully worked for for 15 years forced me and several other near 50/over 50 Engineers to retire early. I felt like I was finally hitting my knowledge and experience peak. All they could see was that we as a group made too much money, so that was a tough time.
Any of you in the bottom of the”U”?
February 4th, 2008 at 5:36 am
It was definately 40 for me. At 50 I felt like I could finally be myself. No pretence, say what I think etc. Much like Maxine lol
February 4th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I guess I’m the exception to the rule, although I just turned 40. I was more fundamentally depressed in my 20s than any other period in my life. As happiness goes, I consider myself far better off now than any other period in my life.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:27 am
It is strange that you say that Dude, I turned 40 last year and so far this year has been a fantasic one…. Maybe because I made some fundamental changes in both my lifestyle, and my perspective of things.
February 4th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I think we’re probably coming at this from similar angles Bill. One thing that’s really contributed to my happiness is having kids at a relatively older age than some. I think If I had been a 25 year-old father I would have been a disaster as a parent. As it is, my patience is better than it used to be and I have a better perspective on the things in life that really are important. As you say, I’ve made some fundamental changes in my life between then and now. The world hasn’t changed as much as I (and my viewpoint) have.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Just what is middle age, I’m 56 almost 57 and I’m just getting started! I suppose I could let myself get depressed if wanted, I’m looking at getting my job bumped and my 18 year old is sucking my pocket book dry. But what would it do to get depressed, It’s not going to change anything in my life, but make it worse. I choose to feel that everything happens for a reason, and that everything will turn out the way they are ment to. Do I get down sometimes. Yes, and then I tell myself to snap out of it and go for a walk, or read something very uplifting. It always works for me. I know that everything is always going to work out.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Welcome, Glenda.
I ditto your sentiment.