Life Transitions

What are life transitions?

Life transitions include the significant changes that occur throughout your lifespan. The most common transitions include:

• Going to college
• Marriage
• Changing jobs
• Losing your job
• Moving to a new location
• Having a baby
• Divorce or separation
• Retirement
• Serious illness or disability
• Death of a friend or family member

Key life transitions often trigger a deep reflection on your life. You may ponder your past, question your goals, or wonder how to define your future — natural internal musings that may support or undermine your mental state as you make a transition.

When would I need therapy for a life transition?

You may want to discuss the transition and get help sorting through your options and clarifying your decision. But life transitions can cause more serious mental health problems that improve with therapy. You may encounter challenges such as:

Positive life transitions

You may consider your options and willingly choose a transition. Even though it’s a positive, mindful decision, it’s still a major change. Significant life changes cause stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional imbalance.

Unexpected life transitions

If a positive life transition can impact your mental health, imagine what happens when you suddenly face an unexpected or unwanted transition. You may struggle with angry outbursts, mood swings, sadness, or resentment. This type of life transition can be the start of a mental health condition.

Downward spiral

If you have an existing mental health disorder, a life transition can easily lead to a downward spiral, aggravating your symptoms and causing out-of-control emotions and behaviors.

Adjustment disorder

An adjustment disorder is an excessive, unhealthy reaction to a life transition. As a result, you have strong emotional and behavioral reactions that may disrupt your life and well-being and make it hard to navigate your life transition successfully.

How are life transitions treated?

You may not need treatment if you want to discuss your life transition challenges. If you have other symptoms or mental health concerns, your provider may recommend therapy and/or medication. 

In many cases, talk therapy is all you need. During talk therapy, your provider helps you explore and understand the reasons for your emotional reactions and teaches coping skills and strategies for managing your transition.

Call Black Onyx or book an appointment online today if you need support for a life transition.