identity crisis

noun

1. a period or episode of psychological distress, often occurring in adolescence but sometimes in adulthood, 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of identity crisis¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

When I was a teenager it was all about teenagers having an 'identity crisis.'

From The Daily Beast

Not yet 10 years on the market, e-cigarettes are having an identity crisis.

From The Daily Beast

The show suffered from an identity crisis—was it a workplace sitcom, a romantic comedy, or a hybrid of both?

From The Daily Beast

This time around, a major Republican identity crisis appears to be one of them.

From The Daily Beast

Elections have consequences, and this time, an identity crisis seems to be one of them.

From The Daily Beast