identity crisis

1. A psychosocial state or condition of disorientation and role confusion occurring especially in adolescents as a result of conflicting internal and external experiences, pressures, and expectations and often producing acute anxiety.

2. An analogous state of confusion occurring in a social structure, such as an institution or a corporation.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

iden′tity cri`sis

1. a state or period of psychological distress, occurring esp. in adolescence, when a person seeks a clearer sense of self and an acceptable role in society.

2. confusion as to goals and priorities: The company is undergoing an identity crisis.

[1950–55]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

identity crisis - distress and disorientation (especially in adolescence) resulting from conflicting pressures and uncertainty about one's self and one's role in society

mental condition, mental state, psychological condition, psychological state - (psychology) a mental condition in which the qualities of a state are relatively constant even though the state itself may be dynamic; "a manic state"

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References in periodicals archive

Besides, they have endangered the life of the Muslims in the West, and have pushed them to identity crisis through their advanced media's cultural onslaught.

Western conspiracies

After Cerner announced a cooperation agreement with activist investor Starboard Value that saw the company agree to appoint four new directors, commit to adjusted operating margin increases and approve a share repurchase authorization increase, Piper Jaffray analyst Sean Wieland said he believes the actions "go a long way toward addressing" the "identity crisis" he felt was inherent in the business since the passing of Neal Patterson, its previous CEO and one of its co-founders.

Piper says Cerner pact goes 'a long way' in addressing 'identity crisis'

THE Pakistani nation is under tremendous psychological pressure and is struggling with an identity crisis. But what must not be ignored is the ray of hope the people of Pakistan have.

Pakistan as a nation

KARACHI -- Provision of economic welfare is imperative to overcoming the current prevalent identity crisis in Pakistan.

Solution to 'our identity crisis lies in economic welfare'

Teenagers may experience an identity crisis during their adolescence.

In 'Dr. Phil' show, black teen insists she's white, says African-Americans are 'ugly'

Identity Crisis provides a gripping account of the campaign that appeared to break all the political rules -- but in fact didn't, says a review on the Princeton University Press website.

What We Are Reading Today: Identity Crisis

Khurshid said Sons of Babur is relevant to the present scenario of India and the Indian subcontinent, where minorities are "struggling with their past identities and an identity crisis".

'Sons of Babur' play written by Salman Khurshid coming to UAE

IDENTITY CRISIS: THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN AND THE BATTLE FOR THE MEANING OF AMERICA

The 2016 Election Was Ultimately About One Big Thing: A new book argues it was a struggle over identity

Summary: Washington DC, [USA] Sep 01 (ANI): Seems like Ariana Grande had to suffer an identity crisis for a brief moment, after a Bishop mistook her for a food item, during the late 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin's funeral service.

Church Bishop mistakes Ariana Grande to be fast food item

Pizza chain Papa John's has turned to another ad agency to help the company move through its ongoing identity crisis. The brand chose Endeavor Global Marketing, the creative division of the Endeavor "holding group" formed by Ari Emanuel's media conglomerate WME I IMG late last year.

PAPA JOHN'S