Scientists Discover that Age 47 is the Unhappiest Age

[Anonymous]

At 47 I felt on top of everything -- career, my appearance, my marriage. Now at just turned 57, I think I'm hitting the very unhappy spot. My elderly parents take up so much of my time. My career streak as a star seems to be ending. So many concerns about my appearance as I age.

[Anonymous]

I’m in the bad part of the sandwich at 54. My teens have been good, tout they still need me. My parents have been super needy, and my own siblings have been challenging.

[Anonymous]

I'm 48 and I can tell you this last year sucked. I'm told 50 is the new something or other. Will keep you posted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in the bad part of the sandwich at 54. My teens have been good, tout they still need me. My parents have been super needy, and my own siblings have been challenging.

Thank you for mentioning siblings because it made me less alone! It's hard enough with teens and challenging elderly parents, but my sibling is a nightmare-not helpful with aging parents and just creates drama.

[Anonymous]

I am 53 and am just now coming out of it. All parents now deceased, things were finally just starting to look up pre Covid. Everyone this age I know is miserable, or coming out of misery.

[Anonymous]

Those of you with ailing parents who you have cared for — how old were they when they began to have significant enough health and/or cognitive problems that you assumed a caregiver role (to some degree)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some guy wrote a book on it.
http://happinesscurvebook.com/

YMMV and all that. Struggles with teens, financial stresses, parents in decline, health issues - it's a common condition. I bottom was probably at age 50. It was almost amusing to realize that the women I knew over 60 seemed to be getting happier, in part, because they quit having to take care of everyone else or caring what people thought about them.

Ha! This is so true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those of you with ailing parents who you have cared for — how old were they when they began to have significant enough health and/or cognitive problems that you assumed a caregiver role (to some degree)?

By late 70s they got way more nutty, entitled, needy and sometimes just plain mean. There may have been some issues mid 70s, but late 70s is where we were detecting dementia before the screeners did. Then low and behold a year or 2 or 3 later, no longer passing the screen.

For me, it's not the hands on part as much as it is the complete emotional drain of dealing with bat shit crazy behavior. They will get into fights with complete strangers, antagonize their doctors, get lost driving and then cannot live in reality that all is not OK. Taking away car keys can be hell. Getting them to accept help-more hell. People compare it to toddlers, but in my case it is far worse. Toddlers are cute and they love their mommies and they don't throw verbal knives at you beyond the occasional "I hate you" if they can't have another cupcake. You finally get the parent to try meds so they can calm the F down and accept help and things are smooth for a few weeks/months and then crazypants decides she is totally fine and should not be on meds and she starts verbally abusing everyone around her and showing her racism. Sorry...I am venting a bit much, but it is just a horrible time if the parents are difficult and entitled.

[Anonymous]

To the above poster, I want you to know you're not alone. It's tough to deal with and it gets worse. No advice but going through it too and no fun whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some guy wrote a book on it.
http://happinesscurvebook.com/

YMMV and all that. Struggles with teens, financial stresses, parents in decline, health issues - it's a common condition. I bottom was probably at age 50. It was almost amusing to realize that the women I knew over 60 seemed to be getting happier, in part, because they quit having to take care of everyone else or caring what people thought about them.

I had my kids in my late 30s and 40s and they are at super sweet ages right now, so no teen stress. And my dysfunctional parents live abroad, finally some distance between us, so I have to say my 40s have been fine pretty great far. I just don't enjoy my decreasing energy level and achy joints, but kids and parents situation is cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My SIL died from cancer at 45 so I guess 47 couldn't be the unhappiest age for her. God, these so called 'scientists' better find themselves somerhing useful to occupy their time with.

I’m sorry about your sister-in-law. I still appreciate studies like this.

NP. Yes. I am not sure how that was supposed to be a counterexample, but PP, you also have my condolences.

[Anonymous]

I’m 48 and 45-46 was a low point. Trying to get my more high maintenance kid through college apps and launched during COVID was a mess. Both kids are now in college. And I miss them, but had not realize how much brain space they took up and worry they caused. I’m excited to get out and try new things.

Fortunately, my mom is in good health at 73 and my stepfather is 10 years younger than her. So, I escaped the sandwich generation.

Life will get even better in 13 months when I make my last tuition payment for my older kid and we free up quite a bit of income.

[Anonymous]

Yep. I’m 48. Last year sucked. Oldest kid hit teen issues and my parents are a disaster.

For me it’s a lot of the instability of what curveball is coming next on all fronts. Oldest cliche in the book but it’s true - big kids, big problems.