Hey guys are you having a midlife crisis

An affair, wild and impulsive buying and depression, could all be signs of a midlife crisis. Here’s are some ways of telling if you’re going through one.

You are having an affair. Many men feel a decreased sense of virility as they grow older, hence the need to ‘prove’ their masculinity. And what better way to prove it than with the new secretary of 20? Many men who have been faithful all their lives, suddenly develop a roving eye in their forties or fifties, to the unavoidable detriment of their family life. The kind of woman they go for, is also often not really their type, but she is virtually, without exception, young and pretty. These are the qualities many men feel validate their masculinity.

Sudden interest in and change of appearance. If your idea of keeping up with fashion has always been an annual, single shopping spree in a chain store, and you have suddenly become fashion-conscious and also started wearing clothes meant for men half your age, you could be having a midlife crisis. A sudden desire to dye your hair or change your hairstyle, or to spend lots of time in front of the mirror, could point in the same direction.

Resurrection of youthful behaviour. You suddenly show an interest in contemporary music, or go to places where people younger than you generally hang out. Or interests that you used to have, suddenly become interests again after many years. Or old friends that haven’t been seen for years suddenly make a reappearance. You also feel the need to come up to speed with the latest in communication technology, such as SMS’s and e-mails.

Sudden depression. Midlife is a time of reflection for many men. Goals you may have had in your teens and twenties, that may not have been reached, can be a cause for depression, because many men believe that what they have not achieved by age 50, is unlikely to be achieved afterwards. Some men can also become aware of their mortality and find this daunting. Many men have also reached a plateau in their careers and find themselves harking back to their glory days. They also have lots of family responsibilities during this time in their lives, and these can also feel overwhelming.

Lack of interest in spouse/family. You could suddenly lose sexual interest in your spouse or general interest in your family life. The lack of sexual interest could also signal the presence of another woman or insecurity with regards to sexual performance. Lack of interest in sex could also be a sign of depression.

Change in social patterns. If you have always been a homebody and suddenly start going out to all sorts of pubs and clubs or starts having boys’ nights out for the first time, it’s midlife-crisis time. A change in social patterns usually signifies something significant’s happening.

Sudden increase in alcohol consumption. If you suddenly start drinking heavily, you could be harking back to your youth, or the increased drinking could be a reflection of where you are hanging out and with whom. You could also be stressed out or depressed, which could lead to the increased alcohol consumption.

Sudden impulsive decisions. These are a hallmark of the midlife crisis. Sudden and life-changing decisions are made, such as resigning your job, emigrating, selling the house, asking for a divorce, etc.