The midlife crisis is more of a social phenomenon than a specific mental illness. It's a term that refers to the dissatisfaction, anxiety and feelings of depression or remorse that many men start to feel as they transition from the first part of their adult life into middle age.
Mid-life crises last about 3–10 years in men and 2–5 years in women. A mid-life crisis could be caused by aging itself, or aging in combination with changes, problems, or regrets over: work or career (or lack thereof)
Carl Jung (1875–1961), in his extensive writings, identified five stages associated with an innate, normal, and expected midlife transition: accommodation, separation, liminality, reintegration, and individuation.
Yes, sometimes people who leave in the throes of a midlife crisis do come back. Sometimes, their partner no longer wants them. But rather than concentrate your energy on your husband's behavior and choices, I hope you will take a long look at your own life. Deal with your grief and the profound loss and change.
The key is to focus on making positive, rational and realistic decisions, not impulsive ones that are driven by irrational fear or anxiety. Use your midlife concerns as a source of inspiration and you may find yourself feeling happier and more fulfilled.
A lot of people want to know, can marriages survive the midlife crisis, and the answer is yes. A midlife crisis destroying your marriage is a common fear of many married couples, but there is a way around a lot of these problems.
A midlife crisis divorce is a divorce that is directly tied to one or both partners experiencing midlife crises. While a divorce may seem like a fix to everything that feels wrong relationship wise, those who make this decision impulsively often experience regrets later on.
Some, however, feel some sort of wistfulness or even regret. Some feel lost, while some think they are missing out in life, and that they could be happier if they make drastic changes. These are the exact sentiments that often trigger a midlife crisis in men, and affairs often follow.
A midlife crisis isn't a psychological disorder per se, but it's still an uncomfortable period of transition between 40 and 55, although there's some variability in the timing of midlife crises. Men and women experience midlife crises somewhat differently.
In particular, when men go through a midlife crisis, infidelity may occur, and husbands can destroy their marriages. Despite the best efforts of spouses to work toward saving a marriage after infidelity, it may be impossible to return to the type of relationship you had before the cheating.
A midlife crisis can be tumultuous for the person experiencing it and everyone around them. Impulsive, single-visioned, and self-centered behaviors can lead to actions that are hurtful and sure to cause regret. Cheating on your partner, divorce, and financial irresponsibility are common actions that lead to regrets.
Whether due to a feeling of restlessness or a desire to reconfirm their sexual prowess, infidelity is a common symptom of a midlife crisis.
Common signs and symptoms of a midlife crisis may include: Anxiety. Abrupt career or lifestyle changes, such as quitting a job or moving homes. Behavior changes, including becoming antisocial, impulsive or irrational.
Some people may experience depression during midlife and refer to their depressive state as their midlife crisis. Women between the ages of 40 and 59 in the United States have the highest rates of depression (12.3%) of any group based on age and gender, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Divorce with school-aged kids (5 to 13 years old)
The school-aged years are probably the worst age for divorce for children; the potential for emotional trauma from divorce is highest at age 11.
A sexless marriage doesn't always equal a loveless marriage, but when it does, divorce may be the “best worst” option. When you and your partner are particularly busy or stressed, sexual intimacy can become something of a luxury – but affection and touch are basic human needs.
Although a sexless marriage is not listed in the law as a ground of fault for absolute divorce or divorce from bed and board, it can be strong evidence for a court to find constructive abandonment.
Increased Sadness
A midlife crisis is likely to affect the mood of the man experiencing it. Some will move towards sadness, disappointment, and self-pity. As they experience a lack of motivation and life satisfaction, they could sleep more, eat more, and give up on their goals.
In general, midlife crisis is a temporary phase in a person's life. Not everyone goes through this phase. This phase doesn't represent the whole picture of a person's work and accomplishments. For men, this stage can last around 3–10 years, and for women, 2–5 years.
Midlife crisis symptoms – why it happens
Midlife crisis symptoms can be summed up in a simple word, “selfishness”. The more mom and dad focused on their own needs and showed no sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others, the more you will be the same in your own intimate relationship.