Midlife Crisis for Men

In the middle of the journey of our life
I found myself in a dark wood,
for the straight way was lost.

Ah how hard to say what a harsh
thing was that wood savage and rough and hard
that to think about it renews the fear!
~ Dante - The Inferno

All of us, at some point of time, are at the juncture of midlife crisis. Midlife is that time when you feel you've been there and done that, it's no more interesting, the excitement has died out and you need a time out. The midlife conjures up an undefined goal and construes the will to go after it. This for most men, leads to a tumultuous ride in the ride called the 'midlife' and often causes the following behavior.

Perpetual Boredom
Perpetual boredom is one the first midlife crisis symptoms. Your man may complain about getting bored with everything he does. The boredom may begin, by noticing the negative aspects of life. For instance, he may be bored about spending time with you and the kids, going out or may show boredom with regards to his work. By mid age, that is by 35-45 years of age, most men realize that their dreams are yet unrealized or failed. This leads them on a path of restlessness, self apathy and boredom. Thus, as a bored man, he wants to do something that's out of the box, which reinvigorates excitement in life.

Out of the Box
Not many men understand the meaning of 'doing something out of the box'. Middle aged men, are in a transitional phase of their lives. Many times, they don't take the change in the right spirit. They may construe, doing something exciting, as having an affair, making impetuous expenditures, making a drastic career change or just being on an attention seeking spree. When this, begins to happen the existing relationships begin to dwindle under the pressure. This is the main reason why, divorces are usually seen during this phase of life. As his wife or living partner, you must understand, that your man has been feeling the lack of challenge for a long period of time. To save your relationship, I suggest, you give him his space but never stop motivating him.

Lifestyle Changes
A man in his period of crisis, may take to heavy alcohol drinking. Blood shot eyes, erratic behavior, alcoholic breath and compulsive need to drink or take to drug abuse are the common signs of midlife crisis for men. All of this put together, may make him severely depressed about his life, goals and his work, which will further aggravate the crisis for him. Its important, that you as a partner, divert his mind from taking recourse is easier ways of forgetting reality.

Obvious Signs
A man in his crisis, believes that the world around him is crashing into a million little pieces and feels the depression taking over him. Putting on weight, aversion from sexual activity, suffering from inferiority complex, resorting to emotional eating, inability to express thoughts and sentiments, trouble in sleeping and desperate urge to runaway from all of this are some of the obvious signs that your man needs your support.

Midlife crisis is that gut-wrenching feeling of dread and desperation to break free. Most people assume this crisis to be fun, frolic, sports car and games. On the contrary, it is a grim reality check, which shadows every hope of a way out. This phase of life incapacitates men to see beyond the crisis, which pulls deeper in the trench of the crisis. To help your partner deal with this unnerving phase of life, motivate him and assure him with your love. Remember it's just a phase, and like any other, it'll pass too. Take care!