When you think about quarter-life transitions, you likely relate this time to increased levels of stress and anxiety, and those are definitively big concerns during life transitions. However, there is also an increased risk for depression among young adults who are working through quarter-life transitions. In this blog, we’ll explore the correlation between depression and quarter-life transition and how therapy can benefit individuals navigating these times of change
What Is Quarter-Life Transition/Crisis?
Quarter-life transitions, which may lead to quarter-life crisis, is a period in young adult life where the individual experiences a lot of change. During this time period, many young adults are finishing schooling and/or moving forward with their careers. They may not feel stable in their finances, jobs, or relationships. This whole period of young adult life may feel extremely challenging, which can lead to increased stress and anxiety as well as greater risk for depression.
How Is Depression Linked to Quarter-Life Transition?
All the compounding worries, fears, instability, and changes associated with quarter-life transitions can leave young adults more susceptible to feeling depressed. The pressures they face in finding the right job, finding a romantic partner, and creating a stable, fulfilling life may be overwhelming, leaving young adults feeling down or depressed when things don’t turn out as they had hoped. Depression is an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, helplessness, or isolation, so it’s no surprise that anyone going through one or more life transitions would feel depressed. It’s a natural response to the turmoil of going through these life changes, but depression can make it more difficult to maintain the resilience to continue working through this transitional period.
Does Therapy Help with Quarter-Life Transitions?
At The Center for CBT in New York City, our skilled therapists work with clients every day who are navigating life’s many transitions. One of our more frequently utilized therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), helps people to understand the ways that thinking, feeling, and acting are interconnected. By understanding these connections, people are empowered to change one aspect of their lives in order to impact the others. Making changes in daily activity level can improve emotions or diminish negative thoughts. Recognizing and changing negative thinking patterns can help individuals feel better and find more energy and motivation. Embracing and allowing time to feel emotions as they arise can prevent critical thinking about these emotions and diminish the chances the individual’s daily routine will be adversely impacted. Working with a therapist who offers CBT allows people to make a lot of progress with a small amount of effort.
In addition to CBT, our therapists have knowledge and training in a range of therapy approaches. They work with clients to provide effective counseling solutions that help them regain a sense of stability and sustain their resilience throughout quarter-life transitions. A therapist will walk alongside you to find the right therapy approach for your unique situation that delivers both immediate improvement and long-term benefits.
Are You Ready to Schedule a Session?
If you’re ready to start feeling better as you move through life’s changes, the team at The Center for CBT in New York City is here to offer support. When you’re ready to get started, simply call our office at (917) 688-4410 or take a few moments to complete our online contact form.
