Archive · 21 Sep 2026
How Lifequakes Can Reveal and Change Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
A lifequake is a very difficult time when someone feels they have reached rock bottom.
It can shake up a person’s life, much like an earthquake shakes the ground.
People often learn ways to cope with hard situations as they grow up.
These coping methods may help at first.
But some can become unhealthy over time.
The unhealthy habits can then create new problems.
People may ignore or resist these problems for a while.
Eventually, reaching rock bottom can also become a chance to change direction.
A “lifequake” is described as hitting rock bottom and potentially turning life around.
People develop coping mechanisms to survive difficult circumstances early in life.
These coping mechanisms may initially help people manage their situations.
Over time, unhealthy coping mechanisms can become larger problems themselves.
People may persist, deny, or resist until their lives enter a downward spiral.
- Who
- Counselling psychologist Priyamvada Tendulkar explains the idea of lifequakes and how people develop coping mechanisms.
- What
- The article describes lifequakes as periods of reaching rock bottom that can also lead to major change.
- Why
- People may accumulate unhealthy coping mechanisms while trying to survive difficult circumstances, eventually contributing to a downward spiral.
- Term
- “Lifequake”
- Meaning
- Hitting rock bottom and potentially turning one’s life around
- Expert
- Counselling psychologist Priyamvada Tendulkar
- Early coping
- People develop coping mechanisms to make do and survive difficult circumstances
- Potential problem
- Unhealthy coping mechanisms can eventually become bigger problems
- Possible outcome
- Reaching rock bottom can create an opportunity to change direction