Question

Marie, age 56, is the mother of five children. Her youngest child, who had been living at home and attending the local college, recently graduated and accepted a job in another state. Marie has never worked outside the home and has devoted her life to satisfying the needs of her husband and children. Since the departure of her last child from home, Marie has become increasingly despondent. Her husband is very concerned and takes her to the local mental health center. What is this type of crisis called?

Answer 1

Answer:

Empty nest syndrome

Explanation:

Empty nest syndrome is a common type of crisis where one's sense of identity and purpose in life is being challenged.

The name of the syndrome refers to the fact that once somebody's children grow up, the house (nest) becomes empty and the parents have to live on their own again.

Marie has devoted most of her life to her children and taking care of them had been her sole purpose in life. Left without them she feels useless, abandoned and she does not know what to do with her life.

To cope with her situation, Marie should start to live her own life, apart from the old one. She should get to know herself better, find new friends, hobbies and activities that gets her out of the house, she may get involved in voluntary or community work where her needs to help others would be satisfied.