Younger Couples Experiencing Midlife Crisis

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A recent British survey by a counselor group there called "Relate" found that young adults in that country were experiencing "mid-life crisis" symptoms much earlier in life, in their mid 30's and 40's as opposed to their late 40's to 50's as in previous generations. A local therapist says she's seeing the same trend here in our area.

Council for Relationships therapist Dorothy Thomas says for many people the economic crisis is the cause of this:

"Especially if you were depending on your financial success or your career to make you feel like you were doing significant things in your life, and then you are either taking a huge cut in pay or losing your job."

Which can cause depression and isolation -- that feeling of loneliness which begins to take a toll on your significant relationship because you are just trying to hold onto what you have.:

"It is surprising when you are working with a couple where one person wants out and one or both of them can't identify what makes them feel loved. Well, I've just been taking care of business, going to work every day or I've been taking care of the kids."

Thomas says the key is to slow down and take a moment to identify your feelings. She says once they are out in the open, they can be dealt with.

Reported By: Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio