You'd think as life expectancy increases, so the mid-life crisis clock would similarly be pushed back.
However, reports suggest that the archetypal adult breakdown (often characterised by men buying porsches and having affairs with younger women) can begin as early as 30. And certainly doesn't just happen to guys.
A recent story in the Herald Sun highlighted how women in their 30s are suffering from what has been dubbed the 'quarter-life' crisis.
The newspaper reports how 32-year-old Kasey Edwards realised that she wasn't fulfilled and didn't want to go to work, despite earning a six-figure salary.
At this time of year, individuals are particularly vulnerable to pressures on their mental wellbeing.
Stress fractures linked to ageing and personal achievement can deepen as nights draw in, according to Oxfordshire GP and stress expert Dr David Edwards.
Dr Edwards told HuffPost UK Lifestyle: “Stress can arise from a variety of sources, be it through pressure at work, home, or even something as routine as the changing of seasons. As we approach winter, environmental changes such as poor weather or darker days can exacerbate the symptoms of stress, such as fatigue, changes in mood or altered sleep.”
“Stress and worry are tiring conditions and facing a such a situation can be draining, especially when you can’t seem to find a solution to your problems.
"Due to the seasonably poor weather, people who have already faced issues with stress sometimes experience relapses, and patients have been going to their family doctor with what medics call TATT or Tired All The Time.
"For patients suffering from stress related fatigue and anxiety over the winter months, I often recommend a herbal remedy containing Rhodiola rosea, well known and used for hundreds of years for its dual-action energy boosting and stress-relieving properties."
So what are the key signs that you might be heading towards a midlife crisis? Perhaps these feelings sound familiar...