Are You Having An Identity Crisis?

Who are you? This question, although quite simple is surprisingly complex. In more individualistic cultures we are likely to answer something like a teacher, a nice person or a student. In collectivist cultures we might answer something like a daughter, a brother or a mother.

Whatever the case, we tend to define ourselves by our values, which often dictate the choices we make. But what happens when our choices are not in line with what we value or with who we truly are? Who are we then?

Erik Erikson first proposed the idea of an identity crisis in his ‘stages of psychosocial development’ theory. Erikson’s theory was predicated on the idea that there are eight stages of development that each individual should pass through from infancy through to late adulthood, with each stage characterised by a conflict between two major forces. The fifth stage, said to occur in adolescence is that of ‘identity vs. role confusion’. Throughout this stage, an adolescent is undergoing somewhat of an identity crisis. They are trying to understand how it is that they will fit into society in a number of different aspects including occupation, sexuality, relationships, politics, religion and more. Ultimately, they are faced with the challenge of identifying their values and deciding who they are and where their lives are heading. So how do we do this?

According to James Marcia, this is usually undertaken through a process of exploration and commitment. When we are exploring we are essentially testing the waters, trying new things, spending time with different people, thinking broadly about different ideas, picking up new hobbies or even changing our behaviours. We are actively questioning our sense of self and looking for ways to come to a decision. When we have committed, we have settled on a particular path with plans to pursue it indefinitely. We tend to have a firm sense of who we are and feel strongly about the decisions we make. With these two processes in mind, we are bound to come to one of four outcomes.

Identity Diffusion:

This occurs when we are low on commitment and low on exploration. These people are not searching nor have they committed to an identity. They will often be – in a sense – floating through life and may even appear to be unconcerned with the path in which they will take.

Identity Foreclosure:

This occurs when one is low on exploring but high on commitment. These people have committed to some sort of role, values and goals for the future but have done so without a process of exploration and therefore have not undergone an identity crisis. They blindly accept an identity given to them by others. A typical example of someone experiencing identity foreclosure is a boy whose parents own a café; it may be expected that he will eventually take over running the café and he may also accept this. While on the surface this may seem to be what he wants it may also be the case that this may not resonate with his true values which may lead to a more severe identity crisis later on in life.

Identity Moratorium:

These people are high on exploration and low on commitment. It is common for many adolescents undergoing an identity crisis to explore various paths and choices without yet being ready to make a commitment to any one in particular. This can often be a good and healthy stage for young people to go through although it may be problematic if it extends later into adulthood.

Identity Achievement:

People who have experienced identity achievement are high on exploration and also high on commitment. These people have undergone a process of exploration, identity crisis and ultimately have committed to an identity. They tend to have well defined personal values and roles and are content with the decisions they make in life.So while it seems that a major identity crisis tends to occur around the time of adolescence and early adulthood it may also be the case that an identity crisis occurs later on in life.

So when and why does this happen?

It may be that identity achievement in adolescence was not fully achieved and you may be stuck in a state of identity diffusion, foreclosure or moratorium. However, it may also be that a significant life change has triggered somewhat of an identity crisis. A loss of job, death of a loved one, ending of a long term relationship or retirement as well as positive life changes such as marriage, having a child, beginning a new career path or getting a promotion are all changes that might have you questioning your newfound role, values and identity.

These changes may have you deviating from the ‘you’ you once thought you were and may have you questioning who you are, where you fit into society, what you stand for and how your life will play out … in other words, experiencing somewhat of an identity crisis, either again or perhaps for the first time.

So what should you do? 

While there is no one clear way to resolve an identity crisis there are a number of different strategies that may help. These include

Journaling: Writing is a fantastic way to uncover your inner thoughts, values and ideas and may ultimately help you in understanding who you feel you are.

Creative expression: It doesn’t have to be writing! Any sort of creative expression including drawing, painting, poetry or photography may also help in uncovering any underlying truths about yourself that may not yet have come to the surface.

Exploring: Exploring is arguable one of the best ways to resolve an identity crisis. Being open minded and exploring different hobbies, interests, roles and ideas will give you a clear sense of what feels right and authentic and what doesn’t feel genuine or true.

Finding support: Whether it’s from a health professional such as a psychologist or from friends and family reaching out for support can help you cope with changes, hardships and uncertainty around identity.

Having an identity crisis is something that many people tend to experience at some point in their lives however if you are finding that feelings of depression, anxiety or other negative emotional states seem to be arising from your experience of an identity crisis it is important that you reach out for support from a health professional.