Week 6
Chamberlain College Of Nursing
Lifespan & Development
Week 6 Assignment: Check-Up 3
Famed sociologist and social demographer, Lois Verbrugge said, “…midlife is a mix
of new opportunities and expanding resources accompanied by incipient declines in physical
abilities and some distinct losses” (Merrill & Verbrugge, 1999, p. 97). All the information
provided in his case indicates that he has no physiological problem, decreased sleep,
increased impulsivity, hyper-sexuality, feelings of guilt and signs of depression. The mid-life
crisis generally happens between 45-55 yrs. After living a full and successful life, people who
gradually move towards old age, they might feel that they haven’t done enough with their life
and to compensate that feeling, people might try to do something that s/he has never tried
before. In this case, Henok has bought a beach house and tried sky-diving. He also has
reported chest pain without any physiological cause. This might be an indication of somatic
symptoms of depression or anxiety which he is going through. His sexual interest might have
increased, or he wants to explore his options other than marital relationships. However, in
this case as well he is undecided and later felt guilty of his actions. The sleep is also disturbed
which might also be a sign of depression. Therefore, all the symptoms mentioned in this case
indicate that Henok is probably having ‘mid-life crises.
The physical decline isn’t always due to natural causes. Sometimes poor lifestyle
choices in early adulthood like substance abuse, poor diet choices, and a lack of sleep can all
exacerbate physical decline in middle age. Many adults who fall into the age range of 40 to
65 can be heard lamenting, “I can’t find my car keys!” or “I have no idea why I walked into
this room.” But is that a sign of cognitive decline due to age, or could it be that they are just
Chamberlain College Of Nursing
Lifespan & Development
Week 6 Assignment: Check-Up 3
Famed sociologist and social demographer, Lois Verbrugge said, “…midlife is a mix
of new opportunities and expanding resources accompanied by incipient declines in physical
abilities and some distinct losses” (Merrill & Verbrugge, 1999, p. 97). All the information
provided in his case indicates that he has no physiological problem, decreased sleep,
increased impulsivity, hyper-sexuality, feelings of guilt and signs of depression. The mid-life
crisis generally happens between 45-55 yrs. After living a full and successful life, people who
gradually move towards old age, they might feel that they haven’t done enough with their life
and to compensate that feeling, people might try to do something that s/he has never tried
before. In this case, Henok has bought a beach house and tried sky-diving. He also has
reported chest pain without any physiological cause. This might be an indication of somatic
symptoms of depression or anxiety which he is going through. His sexual interest might have
increased, or he wants to explore his options other than marital relationships. However, in
this case as well he is undecided and later felt guilty of his actions. The sleep is also disturbed
which might also be a sign of depression. Therefore, all the symptoms mentioned in this case
indicate that Henok is probably having ‘mid-life crises.
The physical decline isn’t always due to natural causes. Sometimes poor lifestyle
choices in early adulthood like substance abuse, poor diet choices, and a lack of sleep can all
exacerbate physical decline in middle age. Many adults who fall into the age range of 40 to
65 can be heard lamenting, “I can’t find my car keys!” or “I have no idea why I walked into
this room.” But is that a sign of cognitive decline due to age, or could it be that they are just
