identity crisis essay example

Identity Crisis (Definition + Examples)

Have you ever had an identity crisis? 

If you don’t think you’ve experienced one, you might have seen one occur in movies or TV. Maybe the star of your favorite TV show takes an episode to “rebel” and take on a whole new persona. But identity crises are not just for TV. They are a real phenomenon in psychology!

What Is An Identity Crisis?

An identity crisis takes place during psychosocial development. During the crisis, an adolescent often struggles with the expectations their parents, teachers, or community has placed upon them. The “crisis” is only resolved after the person feels more confident in who they are. 

How Long Does an Identity Crisis Last? 

While an identity crisis can be wrapped up nicely in an episode of TV or a two-hour movie, this isn’t always the case. An identity crisis can last for years.

Who Coined the Term "Identity Crisis?"

American-German psychologists Joan and Erik Erikson coined the term “identity crisis” and created Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development . Erikson’s work has been an inspiration to many in the psychology field, leading others to look deeper into identity crises and the types of crises that they may experience. 

Why Does an Identity Crisis Occur? 

Before Erikson wrote his theory on Psychosocial Development, he studied Freud. Along with his ​ Stages of Psychosexual Development , Freud was known for his theory on the ego, superego, and the id. 

Erikson redefined the role of the ego in his work. He believed that the ego did much more than mediate between a person’s inner and outside world. According to Erikson, the ego is crucial to a person’s self-awareness and perception of the world around them. People’s ego helps form their identity as they explore and understand their place in the world.  

Identity Crisis in the Stages of Psychosocial Development 

So when does this all happen? Erikson believed that the identity crisis occurs during adolescence (ages 12-18.) A person going through an identity crisis is in the fifth stage of psychosocial development and has experienced four “crises” already. If they have completed those stages successfully, they trust the world and have the confidence to take action and make decisions for themselves. If they haven’t completed these stages successfully...the identity crisis may hit harder. 

Example of Identity Crisis

Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 realize they have a larger place in the world. They understand the importance of working hard and succeeding...but for what? A person’s role determines what their goals are and what they are willing to work for. If that role is not identified, it may be hard for adolescents to decide what they want to work for in adulthood and how they want to conduct themselves in middle and high school. 

So they enter a crisis: identity vs. role confusion. Erikson noticed that there were two identities that adolescents seemed to struggle with during this stage: occupational identity and sexual identity. 

If a person completes this stage, they will feel confident in who they are and their place in the world. However, until the stage is completed, the teenager may feel uncomfortable about who they are and act out to fill certain roles. 

Identity, Youth, and Crisis: Context For This Theory 

Erikson wrote about the identity crisis in the late 60s. He put all of his works on the identity crisis in a book called Identity, Youth, and Crisis. If you want to learn more about Erikson’s approach to the identity crisis, I suggest looking here.

You can pick up this book and read just one chapter. The book is simply a collection of his works throughout his career. While some discuss the ideas of ego psychology, others discuss people belonging to different groups and their identity crises. The 1960s was a pivotal moment in American history for women and minorities. The sexual revolution and the Civil Rights Movement were taking place at this time. Society was starting to change its narrative on who a woman or African-American was in American society.

There has been a lot of change since the 1960s. The way that women, minorities, LGBT people, etc., form their identity has changed. But even though society puts different expectations on these groups of people, one thing remains the same. All adolescents must explore and commit to an identity to complete this stage and move on in their psychosocial development. 

Two Stages in Erikson’s Identity Crisis 

Erikson believed there were two parts to the identity crisis: identity formation and identity integration. 

Identity formation is the process in which someone becomes aware of their identity and begins to put a label on it. Maybe they question their sexuality. Maybe they look at their biological sex, and that influences what kind of occupation they want to take on. During identity formation, a person may discover themselves. (Or so they think.) 

Identity integration attempts to confirm what the person has discovered. During identity integration, adolescents incorporate what they have discovered into their daily lives. Maybe they start to date people of the opposite or same sex. Or they abandon hobbies for activities that will support their future career. 

Hopefully, the identity formation and integration processes go smoothly. Adolescents discover their identity, incorporate it into their lives, and feel confident about their place in the world. Other times, they feel uncomfortable and have to re-explore their identity later. 

James Marcia and the Identity Status Theory

James Marcia looked at this idea and formed a theory of his own, inspired by Erikson. Marcia’s Identity Status Theory looked at the four stages of identity formation. These stages can be broken down into the adolescent’s exploration of their identity and confidence. 

Identity Diffusion is where most people start. They have not explored their identity and are not confident in their identity. There is a lot of work to be done here. 

Maybe the adolescent chooses an identity without too much exploration. They enter the Identity Foreclosure stage. After integrating the identity into their life, they may discover that their identity isn’t so secure and that more exploration is necessary. 

Once adolescents have explored their identity more, they may enter the Identity Moratorium stage. They are not committed to or confident in their identity yet, but they have done some exploring and are open to other experiences. 

By the end of the identity crisis, the adolescent should be in the Identity Achievement stage. They know who they are and what they want to do with their life. They are committed and confident due to high exploration levels and experiences they can reflect on. According to Erikson, this stage completes the Identity vs. Role Confusion stage, and they are ready to move on to the next stage of development.

Related posts:

• Erik Erikson's Biography (Psychologist)
• Identity vs Confusion: Psychosocial Stage 5
• Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
• Id, Ego, and Super-ego (Description + Examples)
• Integrity vs Despair (Psychosocial Stage 8)

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Identity Crisis: What Shapes Your Identity

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How to Recognize and Cope With an Identity Crisis

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Frequently Asked Questions

While everyone questions themself from time to time, you may be having an identity crisis if you are going through a big change or stressful time and internal questions regarding your sense of self begin to interfere with your daily life. You might also notice that you feel more irritable, unmotivated, or empty. Depending on the severity of your feelings and symptoms, there are several ways to deal with an identity crisis including professional treatment and social support.

The concept originates in the work of developmental psychologist Erik Erikson, who believed that the formation of identity was one of the most important conflicts that people face.

According to Erikson, an identity crisis is a time of intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself . Erikson noted that developing a sense of identity is important during the teenage years, though the formation and growth of identity is not confined to adolescence. Instead, identity shifts and changes throughout life as people confront new challenges and tackle different experiences. Thus, an identity crisis can occur at any age.

Symptoms of an Identity Crisis

A person going through an identity crisis may be preoccupied with certain questions:

• What am I passionate about?
• What are my spiritual beliefs ?
• What are my values?
• What is my role in society or purpose in life?
• Who am I? (This question may be in general or in regard to relationships, age, or career.)

It is important to be aware that having negative feelings about yourself or your life can be an indicator of a vulnerability for depression. If you are also experiencing depression symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, and irritability, you should talk to a healthcare provider.

How Identity Develops

Erikson believed that identity was formed by experimenting with different behaviors and roles, as well as through social interactions. Researcher James Marcia expanded upon Erikson's theory by suggesting that the balance between identity and confusion lies in making a commitment to an identity.

Marcia developed an interview method to measure identity. It looks at three different areas of functioning: occupational role, beliefs and values, and sexuality . He also identified four different identity statuses that people move through as they develop their identity:

• Foreclosure is when a person has made a commitment without attempting identity exploration.
• Achievement occurs when an individual has gone through an exploration of different identities and made a commitment to one.
• Diffusion occurs when there is neither an identity crisis nor commitment. Those with a status of identity diffusion tend to feel out of place in the world and don't pursue a sense of identity.
• Moratorium is the status of a person who is actively involved in exploring different identities but has not made a commitment.

Marcia argued that identity crises help people move from one status to another; however, people don't necessarily experience each of the statuses above.

Causes of an Identity Crisis

In Erikson's stages of psychosocial development , the emergence of an identity crisis occurs during the teenage years in which people struggle with feelings of identity versus role confusion .

In today's rapidly changing world, identity crises may be more common than in Erikson's day. Such crises often occur in response to a sudden change in a person's life. This may include personal life changes or broader societal events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

People tend to experience an identity crisis at various points in life, particularly at points of great change, including:

• Beginning a new relationship
• Ending a marriage or partnership
• Experiencing a traumatic event
• Having a child
• Learning about a health condition
• Losing a loved one
• Losing or starting a job
• Moving to a new place

Research also suggests that there are a number of factors that can influence whether a person experiences what is often referred to as a midlife crisis . Such factors include health issues, stress , and social support.

Having a mental health condition such as depression, bipolar disorder , and borderline personality disorder may also increase the likelihood of experiencing an identity crisis.

Diagnosing Identity Issues

It is important to note that an identity crisis is not an actual psychological diagnosis. However, identity is a key criterion for diagnosing personality disorders , and it is possible to be diagnosed with an identity issue or disorder.

For example, dissociative identity disorder is when someone has two or more distinct identities or personalities. It is diagnosed if, in addition to these distinct identities, the person also has ongoing memory gaps and their symptoms cause distress in some areas of life.

An identity disturbance , which is a criterion for borderline personality disorder , occurs when there is "uncertainty about several issues relating to identity." This can include having uncertainty about one's self-image, gender identity, values, and long-term goals.

Treatment for an Identity Crisis

If an identity crisis is creating significant distress and interfering with your ability to function normally, a doctor or mental health professional can help. Talk to them about how you're feeling and the changes or stress you're experiencing in your life.

Depending on the severity of your identity issues and the effects they are creating, there are several treatment options.

Psychotherapy

Therapy can be helpful for addressing some of the underlying issues that might be contributing to your identity crisis. One approach known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) works to address the negative thoughts and behaviors that may cause issues with your view of yourself.

Group Therapy

Some studies have found group therapy to be helpful for treating identity crises, especially in adolescents. One such study reported positive results after engaging in group narrative therapy , which focuses on helping people find their voice through the stories they tell themselves.

Another noted similar findings after group-based reality therapy , which reinforces the power of making good choices.

If your symptoms are accompanied by anxiety or depression, your doctor may also suggest or prescribe medications ( anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines) to help with those conditions. 

Coping With an Identity Crisis

In many cases, there are steps you can take to help work through an identity crisis on your own. Some things that may be helpful as you confront questions about your identity include:

• Acknowledge and accept your feelings . Seek to identify and understand the feelings you have about your identity, then acknowledge and accept them. Tell yourself that it is okay to feel the way you do, extending the same grace to yourself as you would a friend.
• Explore your beliefs and interests . When you are questioning your sense of self, it can be helpful to look inward and think about the things you are passionate about. What are you interested in? Are there things that you no longer like? Asking questions and exploring new hobbies and interests can be a helpful way to get to know yourself better.
• Consider your goals . Spend some time thinking about your goals in life. What do you want to accomplish? What types of things bring you the most joy and happiness ? An identity crisis might be a sign that some need is not currently being fulfilled, so finding ways to satisfy that need can bring a greater sense of fulfillment to your life.
• Get support . Having friends and family to lean on can help. Strong social support is an important part of mental well-being and can also be a way to gain the feedback and encouragement you need to feel comfortable with your identity. Friends, family members, social clubs, religious groups, team sports groups, and support groups can all be great places to find the support that you need.

There’s good reason to overcome an identity crisis. Researchers have found that those who have made a strong commitment to an identity tend to be happier and healthier than those who have not.

Exploring different aspects of yourself in the different areas of life, including your role at work, within the family, and in romantic relationships, can help strengthen your personal identity. Consider looking within to figure out the qualities and characteristics that define you and make you feel grounded and happy, as well as your values, interests, passions, and hobbies. 

Identity is another word for your "subjective self." It is who you are regardless of the changes you might go through in life—such as losing or gaining weight, or changing jobs—and is defined by your unique characteristics (physical, psychological, and interpersonal), your affiliations in this world, and your social roles.

Identity involves the experiences, relationships, beliefs, values, and memories that make up a person's subjective sense of self. This helps create a continuous self-image that remains fairly constant even as new aspects of the self are developed or strengthened over time.

If you are going through a challenging time (or a big change) and are questioning who you are—your values, passions, beliefs, or sexual identity—or how you fit into the world, you may be experiencing an identity crisis. Feeling empty, irritable, having decreased motivation, and social withdrawal are additional signs of an identity crisis.

Working with a mental health professional who is caring and supportive can be a powerful tool for overcoming an identity crisis. If you have depression or anxiety in addition to identity concerns, a doctor or therapist might also recommend medication or other forms of treatment to help with these symptoms.

When someone you love is having any type of mental health crisis, listening supportively and without judgment can help. If they seem highly distressed or the identity crisis is negatively impacting their lives, suggest that they talk to a doctor or mental health counselor. Individual or group therapy may help and medications might also be suggested to help reduce co-occurring issues such as depression and anxiety .

Knox College. Identity development .

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Sułkowski Ł, Szostak M. Identity crisis of artists during the Covid-19 pandemic and shift towards entrepreneurship . Entrep Bus Econ Rev . 2021;3:87-102.

Chang HK. Influencing factors on mid-life crisis . Korean J Adult Nurs . 2018;30(1):98. doi:10.7475/kjan.2018.30.1.98

Goth K, Foelsch P, Schluter-Muller S, et al. Assessment of identity development and identity diffusion in adolescence - Theoretical basis and psychometric properties of the self-report questionnaire AIDA . Child Adolesc Psychiat Mental Health . 2012;6:27. doi:10.1186/1753-2000-6-27

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Behmanesh Z, Kheramine S, Ramazani KH. The effectiveness of group training based on choice theory on identity crisis and mental health of high school male students in second grade in Dogonbadan . Yasuj Univ Med Sci . 2020;25(5):642-56.

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By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Erik Erikson: Identity Crisis – Explained with 1000 Words

Abstract : The term ‘identity crisis’ was coined by psychoanalyst Erik Erikson who drew experiences from his own life in formulating the theory. He laid down eight phases of psychosocial development of the individual personality. Identity crisis is a phase in this development and usually occurs during the period of adolescence. There are two types of identity crisis- identity deficit and identity conflict. James Marcia developed four identity statuses according to which an individual’s degree of identity formation could be recognized. The resolution of this crisis is finally dependent on the subjective actions of the individual though social factors such as social support, peer groups, family and other social institutions play a significant role in channelling self-identity towards particular directions.

Erik Erikson: Identity Crisis

The Development of Identity

Erikson describes identity as a self-image comprising a sameness of character and a strong belief in maintaining that sameness in all social interactions. Like Sigmund Freud , he too believed in the stagewise development of individual personality. He laid down eight stages of personality development, the adolescent stage (around 12-18 years of age) being the one most prominent in determining the identity of the individual. In each of these phases, the individual develops certain qualities or virtues if they are able to encounter their circumstances optimally.

However, it is in the adolescent phase that the question of identity crisis occurs so we will first state the previous stages of development in brief. In the infancy stage (0-1.5 years), the optimum virtue is hope while the two extremes are basic trust and mistrust. So, an infant who is conditioned optimally in this stage will learn to hope to trust without being naive or distrustful. In the early childhood phase (1.5-3 years), the child develops willpower on successfully balancing the concepts of complete autonomy and independence as opposed to shame and incompetence. In the preschool phase (3-5 years), the child learns to take initiative by doing things by themselves. If the child is not given the space to make these decisions, he/she develops guilt and a lack of confidence. The optimum virtue in this stage is developing a sense of purpose in one’s life. The school age (5-12 years) is the phase where a child begins to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and the need to develop certain areas. If encouraged, they develop confidence and competency while restriction and humiliation from elders and friends will result in a sense of inferiority. From 12-18 years is the phase of adolescence though Erikson never emphasised on the rigidity of time periods for development stages. Rather, he believed that the journey from phase to another was a transition instead of jumping across clear boundaries.

Adolescence and Identity formation

Stages of Identity Making

James Marcia, a clinical psychologist furthered the theory of identity formation by laying down four statuses of identity: foreclosure, diffusion, moratorium and achievement. Identity foreclosure refers to the commitment to an identity without exploration. The individual growing up in a conservative household, a conformist lifestyle may merely inherit an identity imposed upon him/her by others around him/her. Although they will have an identity, often of a stubborn nature, it will not contain the element of uniqueness. An identity crisis may occur for such individuals when they grow disoriented with their established ways of life due to some reason. Identity diffusion occurs when the individual neither explores nor commits to any identity. This is a transitory phase, as per Marcia, as individuals will at some point have to face their uncertainty and thereby move to the moratorium status or slip into depression and other mental illnesses resulting from an existential crisis. In the moratorium phase, the individual undergoes a crisis and actively explores possibilities for their identities simultaneously. On successfully overcoming the crisis, an individual achieves a strong sense of self-identity internally. Marcia believed that these identity statuses were cyclical in nature and an individual may experience repeated deconstruction and creation of new self-identities throughout their lives. While Erikson lays down adolescence as the age of identity formation and the development of a crisis in its absence, Marcia completes his theory by stating that such a crisis may reoccur later in adulthood resulting in a mid-life crisis. This also implies that identity is subjective and a concrete self-identity for one individual may turn out to be disorienting for another individual who seeks a different kind of identity. For instance, one’s parents may be satisfied with their inherited identity comprising conservative beliefs and ethics but one might want to be sceptical of old values and wish to explore new possibilities of living.

Types of Identity Crisis

As Jurgen Habermas described, there are two types of identity crisis. One is identity deficit and the other is identity conflict. In the former, the individual faces a motivational crisis and struggles to establish personal goals and values. The existentialist philosophy brings up the concept of free will which would require one to break out of all conformities and establish their own unique identities thus creating a chance of facing an identity deficit even if for a temporary period of time. In an identity conflict, the individual has multiple commitments and evolving a concrete identity would require the rejection of some commitments in favour of others. For instance, Charles Darwin was recorded to have been in a severe conflict (involving physical disorder) in choosing between his identity as a Christian and publishing ‘On the Origin of Species’ which refuted the biblical origin of humans from Adam and Eve. Resolution of identity crisis is ultimately dependent on the subjective experiences of the individual undergoing the crisis. They may seek professional help during such crises but only they can imbibe certain meanings and values in their lives which they feel appealing or inclined to.

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5 Successful Essay Excerpts on the Struggles of Personal Identity

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Whether it was growing up in the foster care system, parental neglect, or struggles with diseases, these 5 students from USC , Stanford , University of Chicago , Brown , and University of Pennsylvania , personal struggles have become stories central to their identity. 

Initially, I never foresaw a life beyond foster care. I planned on enduring the numbing pain of the system and aging out when I was eighteen. Even though my life was lonely and dispassionate, it was tolerable. After years as an unwanted child, I developed powerful defense mechanisms that rendered me nearly unemotional when faced with misfortune. However, the armor I had painstakingly crafted wasn’t without its chinks. Seeing blissful parents with their children always left an unfulfilled pang in my heart. Still, my armor didn’t completely erode until my fifteenth birthday. View full profile .

ChanelJohnson

My teacher’s question pulled me back to reality. It has been about six years since I last saw my father. For the majority of these six years, anger and guilt constantly battled in my mind. However, a thought occurred to me one day: it was never my responsibility to force a relationship with my father. For years, I put the blame on myself and how, no matter what I did, I would always disappoint him. I never considered the fact that he was not willing to try to be a father. My father was fading into a foggy forgotten memory in my mind; it did not bother him. While it was hard to adjust to the absence of my father, I immediately enjoyed the liberty of taking risks in my life. Before, the constant pressure of perfection consumed me as I meticulously worried about each mistake I made. But without my father’s controlling presence, I was willing to explore a field of STEM. With that in mind, I cautiously raised my hand and answered my teacher. I said what I would have told my eleven year old self:  “Sometimes, it is not your fault”. Keep reading . 

It was late August, almost two years from my mother’s initial cancer diagnosis. The strong heat of Summer permeated my room. The afternoon air was silent, the leaves still held their summer vigor, and I was struck by the news that my mom’s cancer had returned. After two years, however, things felt different. I grabbed her hand, and began to tell her that everything would be okay. By watching my mom, I had learned how to face a difficult situation. This time, I knew that the diagnosis wouldn’t control my life. This time I knew that I would be the stable foundation for my mom. This time I knew that she wouldn’t have to beat it alone. Continue reading . 

UChicago ‘20

Elementary school kickball used to suck. I would wait forever to hear my name called, but it would always come too late. Dead last. Because of fate, I received a special gift, Cerebral Palsy. Life has never been easy, but this “fault” ended up being my greatest blessing; without it I would never become the creative, hard working person I am today. It was early spring, immediately after testing with the neurologist, he walked into the waiting room with a clipboard and bad news. I told him about my dreams to fight back, about how I would never limit myself. The doctor smirked. “It’s going to be difficult to reach those goals” he told me. A smile swept across my face. I told him life could bring everything I dreamed of and perhaps more. View full profile . 

Stanford ‘20

To me, living with intention means moving forward consciously. Despite my previously sworn hatred of the suburban bubble, I have come to love my life in this place, Upper Dublin. Seeking out opportunities to engage my interests, I build community in my little suburb. I take my friends over to our CSA farm, we pick vegetables and cook up some fine vegan cuisine, while debating the value of locally-sourced food. I plan camping trips for a Girl Scout troop, sharing my enthusiasm for the outdoors and sustainable environmental practices. Through Catalyst for Success, we partner with Title-I schools for hands-on science demonstrations to spark kids’ curiosity for STEM. Piece-by-piece we build a community where everyone can learn and grow. I found my place in the last place I ever expected. It didn’t change, but my approach towards it did. Continue reading . 

Choosing where to go to college is an incredibly important decision. Make an informed choice by talking to current students on our  mentorship platform . Access 60,000+ successful  college application files  uploaded by college students (they get paid when you view them). AdmitSee is a community of students helping students. Our goal is to bring much-needed transparency to higher education. 

About The Author

​Nicki is a high school senior at Marin Academy. She loves playing soccer, doing ceramics, and binge watching Netflix shows. As the second oldest of seven siblings she loves hanging out with her family and spending time outdoors.

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Recent posts, subscribe here, more expert advice, let's get existential: how to write a college essay about identity.

When you’re a teenager, you’re probably too busy to sit down and think about your own identity. No one exactly assigns you “introspection time” as homework (though, if you’re my student, this has very likely happened). So when you start working on your college essays, it might be the first time you truly start thinking about how you can express who you are in a way that will help a group of strangers understand something about you. Let’s be honest—it feels like a lot of pressure to sum up your identity in 250 words or less. But we’re here to help.

There are many different types of application essays you’ll need to write, as my colleague Annie so perfectly laid out here . But we’re going to talk about one type in particular: the essays about identity and diversity. These are powerful college essays that give admissions officers an opportunity to glimpse into your daily life and understand your unique experiences. For some students, though, these essays can be daunting to think about and write.  

Ever wonder why colleges are asking these questions? Well, the simple answer is that they want to get to know you more. Aside from your academic interests, your activities, and your accomplishments in the classroom, there really isn’t that much space to talk about things like your ethnic background, religion, gender identity, or local community. And these are things colleges want to know about you, too!

How Do You Write a Good Identity and Diversity Essay?

Before you start writing, let’s define a few terms you might run into while drafting your college essays about identity and diversity.

Who are you? I know what you’re thinking—it’s way too early in the morning to get this existential. I hear you. But let’s break this down. Identity is made up of many qualities: personality, culture, ethnic or racial background, sexual orientation, gender, physical ability, and linguistic background, among others. Maybe you identify really strongly with the religion on Mom’s side of the family, but not Dad’s. Maybe you speak a language not typical of folks from your culture. Maybe you have recently come into your gender identity and finally feel like yourself. Why is that identity important to the way you define who you are? Think of it like this: If you’ve met someone new, and your goal is to help them get to know you in the shortest amount of time possible, how would you be able to accomplish this? What’s your tagline? That’s how you’ll want to tackle this type of college essay.

Diversity  

One individual person can’t be diverse. But when a college is referring to diversity, they’re usually looking to their student body and asking how you, as an individual with your own identity, can add to their diversity. What experiences have you had in your life that might help you make the student body more diverse? Have you dealt with dyslexia and come to terms with how best to learn, keeping your abilities in mind? If so, how can you contribute to other students who might learn differently? Did you grow up as the oldest of 10 siblings and have to take care of them on a daily basis? What kind of responsibilities did you have and how did that influence you? These don’t need to be visible qualities. The goal of the diversity college essay is to understand how these identifying factors can help you contribute to a school in a way they haven’t seen before.  

Let’s define community. You may associate it with the city or neighborhood you live in. But a community doesn’t have to be geographical. It doesn’t even have to be formal. Community can come from that sense of connection you have with like-minded people. It can be built with people you’ve shared experiences with. So, when we think of community in this sense, we could be thinking about the community that exists within your apartment complex. We could be thinking about the youth group at your mosque. We could be thinking about your little group of artists within your science and tech magnet school. Think about what communities you are a part of, and be prepared to talk about your place within them.

You might think that these questions are only being asked by small liberal arts schools—but that’s not true. Bigger schools and colleges also want to get to know all of the thousands of students they’re bringing to campus as part of their class.

Big Name Colleges that Care About Diversity

To give you a glimpse of the variety, here are a few examples of college essays where these identity and diversity may come into play:

University of Michigan

“Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.”

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

“Expand on an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far?”

Pomona College

“Tell us about an experience when you dealt with disagreement or conflict around different perspectives within a community.”

Sarah Lawrence College

“Sarah Lawrence College's community places strong value in inclusion and diversity. In 250-500 words, tell us about what you value in a community and how your perspective, lived experiences, or beliefs might contribute to your College community.”

Remember what these colleges are trying to understand: who you are and what has influenced you to become the person you are today (identity), where you come from (community), and how you might be able to add to the diversity of their college campus. Once you really get to the core and understand the intent of these types of college essays, you’ll absolutely be able to write in an earnest and genuine way. We say this frequently at Collegewise, but it’s worth repeating here, especially when it comes to essays about identity and diversity. Just be yourself.

About Us:  With more than twenty years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the student. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for you to be your best self - whether it’s in the classroom, in your applications or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of tools include  counseling ,  test prep ,  academic tutoring , and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform , leading to a 4x higher than average admissions rates. 

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Are you going through an identity crisis? 5 ways to cope

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What is an identity crisis?

7 symptoms of an identity crisis, 11 causes of an identity crisis .

5 ways to cope with an identity crisis

Seeking treatment for an identity crisis

I think we can safely assume that all human beings will wrestle with their identity at some point in their lives. Even the people who seem to always know exactly who they are have had to weather a few life transitions .

As with many people, my identity has evolved along with major changes in my life. For example, how I defined myself as a teenager is much different from how I define myself as a 30-something. I will spare you my My MySpace and AIM screenname details for my own sake. But I can tell you, I no longer define myself as I did when I was a teenager. 

When I went to college , I felt a sense of identity tied to my college major. I often introduced myself with my major attached. It became a part of who I was as a person. When I got married, I felt like I had a decision to make about my identity. I personally decided that I wanted to keep my maiden name because it felt like it was a part of my identity. 

As humans and social beings, we’ve learned how to identify ourselves in a number of ways. We do this in part to give others a shortcut — a way to place and understand us, like the way I introduced myself with my major. But we also do it to try to make sense of ourselves.

Some people tie their identities close to their work and career. Other people tie their identities to their families, relationships, or parenthood. And other people tie their identities to their passions, hobbies, and dreams. 

But life doesn’t often play well with the best-laid plans. So when life throws you for a loop, it can put your identity on the line. When an identity crisis strikes, it’s only natural to wrestle with it. It can be rattling and upsetting. But it can also bring an entirely new and wonderful chapter to your life. 

In this article, you’ll learn what defines an identity crisis. You’ll also learn the symptoms of an identity crisis — and how to cope with one. 

First, let’s understand what an identity crisis means. 

An identity crisis is defined as a period of uncertainty or confusion in a person’s life. This crisis occurs when a person’s sense of identity becomes insecure and unstable. 

An identity crisis usually occurs when there’s a change in a person’s life. But an identity crisis can happen at any time. 

What is identity? 

Identity is a tricky concept because, at its core, it’s pretty subjective. As an added complexity, we often define it ourselves (though external factors certainly have influence). 

According to Psychology Today, our identities encompass memories, experiences, relationships, and values. These components all help to create our identities and our sense of self. 

Psychologist Erik Erikson studied identity and the concept of the identity crisis. In Erikson’s theory, he found there are developmental stages of identity. The theory outlines eight stages, with each stage capturing a specific virtue. Erik Erikson called these the stages of psychosocial development: 

• Basic trust vs mistrust
• Autonomy vs shame and doubt
• Initiative vs guilt
• Industry vs inferiority
• Identity vs role confusion
• Intimacy vs isolation
• Generativity vs stagnation
• Ego integrity vs despair

Why is identity important? 

As human beings, identity serves a few purposes that help us live and be well. Having a sense of identity lends itself to a sense of belonging . If we know how we define ourselves, it’s easier to find communities and places where we feel like we belong . 

Identity can also be a way to structure some parts of our lives and choices to make them more manageable. If I think of myself as an ambitious accountant, it makes it more obvious to choose a career with a big professional services firm and structure my time to pass the CPA exam.

If my identity includes being an extreme outdoors person, I make travel plans and buy gear that aligns with backpacking and adventure. I might do this because it reinforces my identity. But it's important to realize this can be helpful but also limiting. 

Identity is important for social connections and overall well-being . Identity can often be tied to communities, like religions, political or social values, shared language, cultural experiences , and more.

With strong communities, you’re better positioned to build strong social connections . And as a result, strong relationships can help strengthen your mental fitness , your resiliency, and even your physical health . 

Sometimes, we don’t know we’re going through an identity crisis until we’re already in the middle of it.

My husband recently went through an identity crisis. After a traumatic accident , he was left changed forever — physically, mentally, and emotionally. In many ways, the accident robbed him of critical components of his identity. We pivoted our very active, outdoor lifestyle to be more accommodating of physical restrictions, like car camping instead of backpacking. In the summers, we go paddleboarding instead of going on long hikes. 

It wasn’t until months after his accident that he realized he was having an identity crisis. It was only because symptoms of an identity crisis started to show up in our everyday life. 

So when it comes to spotting the symptoms, it’s important to check in with yourself. These seven symptoms could be a sign that you’re experiencing an identity crisis: 

• Low self-esteem  
• Questioning your value or worth 
• Feeling lost or aimless  
• Not feeling a sense of purpose or understanding your values  
• Emotionally scattered (or difficulty regulating your emotions ) 
• Increased feelings of insecurity  
• Increased feelings of anxiety or depression 

How an identity crisis can lead to depression

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that an identity crisis can lead to depression, especially if you’re living with depression already. 

In fact, science can back this up. Studies have found that identities are significantly more prevalent in people living with depression. Negative self-views are generally a consistent sign or symptom of depression. When your idea of yourself (including how you define yourself) suffers, it’s likely your mental health with suffer, too. 

If you’ve been struggling with an identity crisis, look out for these symptoms. Talk to your doctor or trained mental health professional about what you’re experiencing. 

• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness 
• Loss of interest in things once enjoyed 
• Fatigue 
• Irritability 
• Changes in appetite, weight 
• Difficulty concentrating  
• Low energy levels and low motivation 
• Difficulty sleeping  

There’s no one cause that we can pinpoint as the identity crisis trigger. Because we all identify ourselves differently, different life events can trigger an identity crisis. Here are 11 common causes of an identity crisis: 

• Marriage or a new committed long-term relationship 
• A divorce or separation 
• The loss of a loved one (parent, spouse, child, sibling, family member, loved one, friend) 
• Moving 
• A traumatic event (like an accident) 
• Losing a job  
• Getting a new job 
• Physical health issues (like chronic illnesses, a major diagnosis, and more) 
• Mental health issues 
• Retirement  
• Becoming a parent 

How to cope with an identity crisis

If you’re going through an identity crisis, you’re not alone. There are ways to cope with what you’re experiencing — and communities that can help provide support. Here are five ways to cope with an identity crisis: 

• Ground yourself in your values. You might need to revisit your core values . Or, perhaps you’re ready to recreate or redefine what values are important to you. No matter what stage you’re in, ask yourself: what’s most important in life right now? What values do you care about? What values do you want to care about? 
• Be aware of your emotions. And give yourself permission to feel those emotions. An identity crisis is rattling to your mental health and mental fitness . It can feel scary, intimidating, and numbing all at once. But if you let yourself experience the emotions you’re feeling, it’s better than bottling them up. Get in touch with how you feel. You could try journaling or writing down your feelings to help process, too. 
• Create a mental fitness plan. If you find yourself in your identity crisis, it’s time to ground yourself in your mental fitness practice . Are you making space for Inner Work® ? Are you doing things that bring you joy? How are you caring for your mental health and mental fitness? In what ways are you prioritizing yourself? 
• Enlist the help of a coach. A coach is your own personal guide to navigating what life will throw at you. If you’re experiencing an identity crisis, seek the help of a coach . They’ll be able to help you process your identity crisis and create a roadmap for the path forward. 
• Try to stay optimistic about what the future holds. It might just be that an identity crisis will be one of the best things that can happen to you. You’ve lost your job as a lawyer but you’ve always wanted to write a book? Go follow your dreams. You’re going through a challenging divorce or breakup? Someone else might come along when you least expect it. Your career takes a turn and your entire job seems to have turned upside down? Maybe that’s the push in the direction your career needed to go. Stay positive. You never know what the future holds. While life happens, you can dial into your locus of control . Hard things are hard for a reason. We typically learn a lot from the hardest experiences.

It’s important to know when you need professional help. For example, both my husband and I sought professional help after experiencing a traumatic accident. It was critical for our mental health, especially amid an identity crisis. 

If you’re seeking treatment, there are options out there. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Talk therapy 

Talk therapy can help tremendously when experiencing an identity crisis. I’ve been in therapy for nearly 16 years — and I don’t think I could go without it.

Talk therapy gives you the space to talk vulnerably and openly with an unbiased third party. You can talk about your challenges, identify your strengths, and build confidence. It can help re-center and re-ground you in who you are, regardless of the identity you might be wrestling with. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy 

Sometimes, more evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy are needed. With CBT, you can work with a trained therapist to help identify and change thought patterns. If you feel an influx of negative automatic thoughts , talk to your doctor or therapist. It might be worth exploring cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Support groups 

Lastly, there’s power in numbers — literally. Support groups can offer you a sense of community for those who might be experiencing something similar. I’m a big fan of NAMI . This organization hosts a variety of types of support groups that can help you weather an identity crisis. 

For example, if you’ve recently had a traumatic loss of a loved one, seek out grief support groups . As a supplemental aspect to professional treatment, consider coaching. BetterUp provides professional, trained coaches who can help serve as supplemental support if you’re going through an identity crisis. Our coaches can focus on key topics like grief , career change , job loss, and more. 

Start finding your true self 

Identity issues aren’t uncommon. And sometimes, it feels like that existential crisis is looming. We might feel the signs of an identity crisis coming on after a major life event or traumatic experience. Some might laugh it off as a midlife crisis . Young people or young adults might dismiss it as a growing pain of life. 

But the reality is, identity crises have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing. And at one point, we might all ask ourselves the question, “Who am I?” 

Tap into your self-awareness . What about your personality development has changed? What about your identity development has changed? And in what ways can you use this crisis as an opportunity for growth and development? 

With BetterUp, you can reach your full potential . A coach can help guide you through your emotions, thoughts, and feelings. And with some support, you can find a stable footing at the core of who you are.

Understand Yourself Better:

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Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

What is an existential crisis, and how do you overcome it?

4 ways to overcome your quarter-life crisis (and redefining success), emotional stress symptoms and how to cope, 12 signs of midlife crisis & how to handle it with ease, when you are the obstacle: how to overcome self-sabotage, face workplace stressors head-on with these tips, how are personal values formed discover the joy of a life aligned, stuck in the middle: what is lost with a workforce that isn’t ill, but isn’t well, how to identify stress vs. anxiety and learn to cope, 5 proven ways to deal with disappointment, eco-anxiety: how to cope when it feels bigger than you, all-or-nothing thinking: 3 ways to stop throwing in the towel, identifying different life crisis stages and how to cope, trauma in the workplace: what it is and 5 ways leadership can help, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Kaliane Bradley on the Slow-Moving Crisis of Identity

In conversation with mitzi rapkin on the first draft podcast.

First Draft: A Dialogue of Writing is a weekly show featuring in-depth interviews with fiction, nonfiction, essay writers, and poets, highlighting the voices of writers as they discuss their work, their craft, and the literary arts. Hosted by Mitzi Rapkin, First Draft celebrates creative writing and the individuals who are dedicated to bringing their carefully chosen words to print as well as the impact writers have on the world we live in.

In this episode, Mitzi talks to Kaliane Bradley about her new novel, The Ministry of Time .

Subscribe and download the episode , wherever you get your podcasts!

From the episode:

Mitzi Rapkin: I’m curious if writing this expanded or changed anything for you about identity and how we see identity, because I think for your narrator, you know, she’s very thoughtful about her identity, and how being mixed race impacts how she’s seen by other people she works with and how the world sees her. But there’s a point where one of the characters, Margaret, who time travelled from the time of The Great Plague.  She’s gay, and she’s really living it up in modern times with Tinder, and she’s assimilating, I guess with a big A and it hasn’t been traumatic for her. She likes it but another character, Graham, a polar explorer who is now in modern day, says to the main character, Why is identity our habits? Why is identity reducing us to our habits? And he was talking about sexuality, but I think so much of this novel is about identity.  Did that change anything for you about how you looked at it from the beginning to the end of writing this?

Kaliane Bradley: Well, reading about Victorian conceptions of sexuality was incredibly interesting, because also, how would these people have described themselves? And so yes, the idea that Graham’s horror that what you do with someone else becomes what you are, is very alarming to him, because I think he thinks of himself in a very fixed way that maybe is not borne out by his behavior. I think I am in a constant state of slow-moving crisis about the term, for example, British-Cambodian writer. What does that mean for me? Does that mean, does the British-Cambodian come first? Does the writer come first? Do I always have to modify them? Will I always have to modify them? Will it always mean something essential to the book? I feel like in this case, maybe it is essential, because one of the characters is British-Cambodian, and that’s a crucial part of how she experiences her story. But if I write something completely different, Will is it still relevant that I am a British-Cambodian writer, or will it continue to be relevant because I simply cannot escape my history, my past, my current identity. I feel that maybe before I started writing the book, my crisis was more subdued.  And it’s an interesting crisis. It’s an enjoyable crisis. I’m glad I’m having it. I hope it will yield some interesting questions, but writing this book, and thinking about the categorizing urge, the urge to fit people into a pigeonhole in order to better comprehend them, has been interesting, is the word I’m going to use. But I think it’s also been fun and complicated and crunchy and weird.

Kaliane Bradley is a British-Cambodian writer and editor based in London. Her short fiction has appeared in  Somesuch Stories, The Willowherb Review, Electric Literature, Catapult , and  Extra Teeth , among others. She was the winner of the 2022 Harper’s Bazaar Short Story Prize and the 2022 V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize. Her novel is called The Ministry of Time.

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Identity Crisis Amongst the Youth

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What is an Identity Crisis?

Assessment of Identity

Levels and domains of identity, identity statuses, identity dimensions, identity styles, developmental shifts in identity.

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The Many Faces of Teenage Identity

The teenage years can be confusing and impressionable as individuals navigate societal and personal expectations in order to develop their own identities. While some teenagers find their way through this difficult time, others struggle to understand who they truly are. This can lead to problems in adulthood, as well as an intolerance of individuality, insecurity, and depression. Society sets unreasonable expectations for both girls and guys, causing teenagers to set unrealistic expectations for themselves. However, if teenagers base their decisions on who they want to become, they can find the best choice is to be an individual. Celebrating the differences in people can help teenagers change the world.

The topic of individualism or identity is a prevalent obstacle that modern teenagers face. Adolescence can be a perplexing and influential time, shaping the growth of each teenager. While many teenagers successfully navigate this phase and establish their own sense of self, some struggle to fully grasp their true identity. This lack of comprehension can lead to diverse challenges in their future adulthood.

When a child is born, they receive care for about three to four years. However, once the child begins attending school, certain changes occur. These changes are typically minor as the child retains their innocence and does not yet understand or feel concerned about fitting in with others.

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Adolescence marks a crucial stage in a child’s life, transforming their confidence into teenage awkwardness. Thoughts that never crossed their mind before now burden the teenage mind. The paramount concern for teenagers is being accepted and popular among their peers. They believe that conforming to others’ actions is the simplest means to gain others’ approval. Thus, a pattern emerges.

Teenagers establish expectations for themselves by observing famous individuals or possibly even peers. They may go to extreme measures like starving themselves to achieve a thinner physique, purchasing expensive clothing, and adopting similar interests as others. However, the unsettling nature of this stage in a person’s life results in a decreased sense of self-assurance. In their quest to be accepted, popular, or simply avoid being disliked, teenagers often surrender their ability to think independently.

Many people simply follow the opinions of others, which can be risky. Teenagers, in particular, face numerous implicit expectations both from themselves and from society. Society has established a notion that there is a specific standard for both girls and boys to shape their values, beliefs, and conduct upon. Although these expectations are just fragments of a larger picture, they are unreasonable and compel teenagers to establish impractical standards for themselves. The lack of acceptance for individuality ultimately causes suffering and fosters the notion that being different is undesirable.

Insecurity is a significant issue for many adults, as the struggle to find oneself may result in depression and self-destruction. Teenagers face the daunting task of discovering their own identity, which is a crucial decision for anyone. Despite societal expectations, I believe that if teenagers make choices based on their genuine desires, they will ultimately realize that being an individual is the best option. Only when one truly knows themselves can they genuinely perceive the world around them. It appears that the only battle we are fighting is within ourselves. The teenagers of today have the power to bring about change in the world, so let us celebrate the uniqueness in every individual.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Woman — IDENTITY CRISIS OF WOMEN IN WHERE SHALL WE GO THIS SUMMER

Identity Crisis of Women in Where Shall We Go This Summer

• Categories: Woman

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Published: Apr 11, 2019

Words: 1816 | Pages: 4 | 10 min read

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