identity crisis
C1formal, academic, journalistic, psychological
Definition
Meaning
A period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of self becomes insecure, typically due to a change in their expected role or a lack of understanding of their own values or desires.
A state of psychological distress and disorientation concerning one's personal identity, character, and life direction. It can also be used metaphorically to describe an organization, brand, or nation experiencing a similar lack of clear definition or purpose.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term strongly connotes a temporary but significant psychological struggle, not a permanent state. It implies a process of questioning, often leading to personal growth or a redefinition of self. It is a countable noun (e.g., 'an identity crisis', 'several identity crises').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling: 'crises' is the plural in both variants.
Connotations
Slightly more clinical/academic in UK usage; can be used more colloquially (e.g., 'midlife crisis') in US media.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, with high usage in psychology, sociology, and popular media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[person/organisation] + experience + identity crisis[event/change] + lead to + identity crisis[identity crisis] + stem from + [cause]to be in (the midst of) + identity crisisVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “having a quarter-life crisis”
- “going through an existential phase”
- “not knowing who you are anymore”
- “losing your sense of self”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The merger caused a corporate identity crisis, with staff unsure of the new company's values.
Academic
Erikson's psychosocial theory posits that adolescence is a stage where an identity crisis is normative.
Everyday
After her kids left for university, she went through a bit of an identity crisis, wondering what to do with herself.
Technical
The patient presented with symptoms consistent with a dissociative disorder following a protracted identity crisis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The brand is currently crisis-ing over its identity following the scandal.
- (Note: highly informal, non-standard conversion)
American English
- He's been identity-crisising all week about his career choice.
- (Note: highly informal, non-standard conversion)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. Use prepositional phrases: 'in an identity-crisis manner')
American English
- (No standard adverbial form. Use prepositional phrases: 'with identity-crisis-like confusion')
adjective
British English
- She displayed classic identity-crisis behaviour, constantly changing her style and goals.
- (hyphenated compound adjective)
American English
- The team was in an identity-crisis mode after their star player left.
- (hyphenated compound adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is sad and does not know what he likes.
- When she moved to a new country, she felt confused about who she was.
- Many teenagers experience an identity crisis as they try to figure out their place in the world.
- The political party is undergoing a profound identity crisis, torn between its traditional values and the demands of a modern electorate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine your ID (identity) card is in a CRISIS – torn, faded, and unreadable. You can't prove who you are, even to yourself.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTITY IS A SOLID OBJECT (that can be lost, found, shattered, or rebuilt). SELF IS A JOURNEY (where a crisis is getting lost).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'идентичностный кризис' – it's unnatural. Use 'кризис идентичности' или 'кризис самоидентификации'.
- Do not confuse with 'психологический кризис' (broader) or 'депрессия' (specific mood disorder).
- Remember it's a 'period' or 'state', not a single event; use imperfective verbs in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an uncountable noun (*'He has identity crisis'). Correct: 'He has an identity crisis.'
- Overusing it for simple indecision (e.g., 'I can't choose a film' is not an identity crisis).
- Misspelling plural as 'crisis' instead of 'crises'.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best describes an 'identity crisis'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A 'midlife crisis' is one specific type of identity crisis that typically occurs in middle age. 'Identity crisis' is the broader term for any severe doubt about one's self-identity.
Yes, metaphorically. It is common to say a brand or organisation has an 'identity crisis' when its purpose, values, or market position become unclear or conflicted.
No, it is not a clinical diagnosis in itself. It is a psychological concept describing a state of confusion. However, prolonged or severe crises can be associated with or contribute to conditions like depression or anxiety.
There is no fixed duration. It can be a relatively short phase triggered by a specific event, or a prolonged period spanning months or years, often involving cycles of questioning and resolution.