Counselling for Identity Issues

What is Identity?

Identity is an essential aspect of one's self, but it can be challenging to maintain when it's put to the test. When you experience difficulties with your identity, it can lead to changes in your goals, beliefs, and behaviours that can impact your sense of self. Some may even feel like they have to adapt to others' personalities, making it even harder to maintain their own identity.

Identity encompasses a variety of elements that make up who you are, such as your beliefs, attitudes, values, personality, and behaviours. Essentially, it is the way you perceive yourself, and how you view yourself in relation to your past, present, and future. When you experience issues with your personal identity, it can make it hard to determine who you are in relation to others, leading to feelings of emptiness and a lack of a solid sense of self.

If you're experiencing issues with your identity, it's crucial to seek help and not leave it unaddressed. Symptoms of identity disturbances can impact many areas of your life, including your relationships with yourself, others, and intimate partners. These issues may also result in depression, anxiety, and feelings of emptiness. There is no one-size-fits-all reason for why people develop issues with their sense of identity, so it's essential to seek treatment/help that is specific to your needs. There are various psychosocial treatments that have been found helpful for people experiencing identity issues, and a therapist specialising in this area can help you understand the root cause and help you develop strategies to address it.

What is Identity Crisis?

An identity crisis often denotes a period of intense personal and psychosocial turmoil that generally manifests during adolescence but can occur at any stage of life. It's marked by a sense of confusion about one's social role and their sense of identity.

What are the Signs of Identity Crisis?

Experiencing an identity crisis can elicit feelings of frustration, feeling trapped, or lacking meaningful progression in life. It can trigger feelings of depression or anxiety, leading to dissatisfaction with oneself and one's life. Recognising an identity crisis can be challenging because its manifestation is often subtler than other mental health conditions.

Typical signs of an identity crisis may include:

• Doubts about your character or traits that influence your self-image

• Questioning your life purpose or passions

• Feeling anxious or uneasy

• Frequently altering your values or preferences to suit your surroundings or relationships

• Struggling to answer questions about yourself

• Difficulty trusting your decision-making abilities

Can Identity Crisis Masks Depression?

While an identity crisis can be a taxing and disconcerting experience, it's usually not life-threatening. However, there could be underlying issues, like depression, intensifying the identity crisis.

Depression is a blanket term for a spectrum of mood disorders that result in persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Severe cases may lead to self-harm or suicidal tendencies.

Symptoms of depression can include:

• Mood swings and irritability

• Reduced energy and motivation

• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

• Changes in sleep, appetite, or weight

• Difficulty focusing, concentrating, or making decisions

• Preoccupation with death and mortality