Midlife Crisis: 10 Warning Signs (PHOTOS)

We've all been inundated with images of the midlife crisis: Harley-mounted, silver-haired 50-somethings riding off (reluctantly) into the sunset of their later years.

But what does this period of self-doubt really mean, and how can we recognize its grip on our own lives? Certainly not every period of self-criticism or depression in middle-aged folks is connected to panic over aging, but how do you know if you're in the midst of a struggle with the blues or in the throes of a full-blown calamity?

Here are 10 signs of a midlife crisis:

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• <strong>1.</strong> A growing sense of regret over unattained goals.

• <strong>2.</strong> New feelings of self-consciousness around more successful colleagues.

• <strong>3.</strong> A new emphasis on remaining youthful when the effort previously seemed unimportant.

• <strong>4.</strong> A desire to spend more time alone or with certain peers who could be characterized as "youthful" or "comfortable in their own skin."

• <strong>5.</strong> A new-found tendency to abuse alcohol.

• <strong>6.</strong> Placing import on acquiring unusual or expensive items when such purchases could previously have been described as frivolous or impulsive.

• <strong>7.</strong> A sharp increase in self-criticism with a correlating decline in self-compassion.

• <strong>8.</strong> Obsessing over one's physical appearance when similar attention was previously unpaid.

• <strong>9.</strong> Placing unusual amounts of pressure and stress on one's children to excel in a variety of fields.

• <strong>10.</strong> Entering relationships with younger partners.

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Comments

[ignacio sanabria]

09:12 PM on 10/29/2011

Mid life crisis begins at the moment you feel you cannot or are not able to do things the way you used to. A key factor in mid life crisis, for males, are the pesky effects of testosterone level reductions.

[taoc 79]

09:09 PM on 10/28/2011

Doesn't sound like a 'crisis' to me, sounds normal.

[TimboR]

01:38 AM on 10/19/2011

What a load of narcissism. However! Those miserable affluent white-collar guys who are feeling sorry for themselves and changing their lives are a goldmine for cast off suits, shoes, cars, golf clubs, tennis rackets and other unwanted items as they search for themselves.

That well-dressed gentleman in #2 looks very depressed. If he is planning on taking off on his Harley into the sunset, I will gladly take his expensive suit, shirt, and tie. I need new clothes and that suit's about about my size, and I can't afford it myself.

What the heck - I'll take his shoes and socks too. He can't dress up like that in fancy clothes while wandering through the highways and byways of life going through angst.

Any golf clubs, pal?

[Miz Fit]

12:16 AM on 10/29/2011

You do realize those stock images, right? Meaning they are randomly chosen. And tomorrow they could be used on an article about cancer or viagra.

[Averagedancer]

03:36 PM on 10/18/2011

I had to find it, but I have a wonderful old book, which contains quotes and phrases for many phases of a person's life. I had to searcha bit, but here's one for age, which I thought was a little different, and nice:

'As for old age, embrace and love it. It abounds with pleasure, if you know how to use it. The gradually (I do not say rapidly) declining years are amongst the sweetest in a man's life; and. I maintain, that even where they have reached the extreme limit, they have their pleasure still.'

-Seneca

I will dedicate this to my co-worker and friend, who was recently diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer, at the age of 61. She was diagnosed only a month ago, and is now in Hospice, with less than 3 months to live. I have no doubt she'd tell all of us to 'Get over ourselves, and stop wasting time with regrets.' Maybe I'll stop whining and do just that. For her.

[nativesigrl]

08:18 AM on 10/19/2011

Life is a gift....we shouldn't waste it with the superficial. May your friend have peace.

[nativesigrl]

08:30 AM on 10/18/2011

The real reason for a midlife crisis? Getting closer to dying! Feeling like you have no 'time'. Now that you have some life experience, it seems like it's going to waste. Now that you have some money(hopefully), you can buy all these fun toys and now your either too sore, or too tired to enjoy them witht the same vigor and zest for life. Thats why the plastic surgeons are having a field day. We as a society need to get back to basices. It is what it is....

[Connie Markley Boppre]

08:37 PM on 10/18/2011

yes. and it is wrinkles, sagging skin, new aches every day. it's a problem when the appearance of the body doesn't match the fun-loving, playful mind.

[nativesigrl]

08:16 AM on 10/19/2011

Agreed!

[Bones Rhodes]

01:01 AM on 10/18/2011

I'd obsess over #8's physical appearance if she'd just drop her arms.

[Johnagain]

01:00 AM on 10/18/2011

#6 Placing import on acquiring unusual or expensive items when such purchases could previously have been described as frivolous or impulsive.

They're kidding right? This is one of the primary driving forces of the American economy.

[cyndinca]

10:08 PM on 10/17/2011

A man has reached middle age when he is cautioned to slow down by his
doctor instead of by the police.

[jstagynjax]

09:59 PM on 10/17/2011

OMFG!! !! Who chose these slides!? !? The woman in #8 is smokin' HOTT!! !! (intentially with two t's because she's that hot). Granted, she could have rinocerous thighs, but from what's in the picture, she can have my number all day long!!

[brux]

09:44 PM on 10/17/2011

yeah ... our society and economy thrives on all of this stuff ... this is just American culture ... so if we think it's pathological, then let's change it.

[Nowhear this]

10:01 PM on 10/17/2011

Not true, if you ever been at a European soccer match you will notice many gray haired men with very young fillies attached to their arms who are not their daughters or nieces.

[brux]

10:43 PM on 10/17/2011

I did not say anything about that .... my own girlfriend is 15 years younger than I.

[LSULinebacker64]

09:43 PM on 10/17/2011

I'm 18 months from 50 and working on an invention idea that is close to being fixed up to be signed and sent to Washington. This invention is being created now with companies that do have interest in it.
At this point in time I'm not in any relationship an never have been in a first. So going forward with what I'm doing is a plus on that level. Concerns of that relationship with someone is past due an is over on wanting so badly. Just waitin to see what will come out of that invention in the long run.... Who knows other then God.

[poochytown]

09:35 PM on 10/17/2011

According to this list almost everyone I know over 45 is having a midlife crisis.

[Averagedancer]

03:06 PM on 10/18/2011

According to this list, almost everyone I know over 25 is having a midlife crises.

[bbriani3842]

09:33 PM on 10/17/2011

The same is true at any stage of life:

"Get busy living, or get busy dying."

Words of wisdom from "The Shawshank Redemption"

[Randybostonterrier]

09:07 PM on 10/18/2011

or get busy with what you like, not just do activities that others enjoy.

[cyndinca]

09:32 PM on 10/17/2011

They say life begins at 40 but I beg to differ.
Life begins at conception & noone tells you until you're 40.

[poochytown]

09:34 PM on 10/17/2011

Personally I think life begins when the kids leave home and the dog dies.

[cyndinca]

09:55 PM on 10/17/2011

LOL

[Randybostonterrier]

09:08 PM on 10/18/2011

All that I know is that life does begin at 40 and the dress rehearsal was when you are younger and you give a crap all the time about what people think. You get 40 and over and you don't care.

[runswithscissors]

09:25 PM on 10/17/2011

I'm only 32 so maybe I'm not qualified to speak on this, but I think it's helpful to try to keep an honest memory of your youth rather than a romanticized version. Of course you'll miss "the good ole days" if you only remember the best parts.