Could it be a result of the life you've led or the life you would liked to have led..? What causes it cause I think I'm having one...enlighten me a bit.some of the seniors maybe?

I believe that everyone comes to a point in their life
when it becomes obvious to them, that they are no
longer..young.

The things they thought they would have accomplished
by then, perhaps they have not.

Where they are, how they live, there is only some
undefined limited amount of time in which to change
to the original plan.

Or get a new plan.

Some call it a crisis, I call it, eyes wide open..
taking inventory, assessing accomplishments.

Where to go from there.
Happens to everybody in their own time frame.

Some cope, some wonder, some freak.

I've always had a motorcycle so I think I missed my mid life crisis
Two wheel therapy has worked for me

To me this is right on target.For myself I cope and wander I don't freak because I like the knowledge I have received from the journey.

Psychologically, many theories of Lifespan development view it as a series of crises. Most notably, Erik Erikson and Levinson's Ages of Man. For example, a teenager must develop an identity; older people must view their life in terms of integrity or despair, etc. Do a quick web search, see if anything sounds familiar to how you are feeling. Otherwise, get your testosterone levels check.

definitely need the later checked..and with any luck by a nice brunette..thanks folks

I'm a freak...wait...an old freak or did I freak

From the perspective of seventy-four years of age: I have no idea what constitutes a mid-life crisis or when it might occur.

Of course, I did buy a sports car (but that was when I was twenty-one or so) and did retire (when I was forty), did / do often associate with younger woman (at various times). Now I drive a diesel pickup, experience decades of "creative non-employment", and am living partner-free for the first extended period in my adult life (and really enjoying it).

Many people seem to be programmed to go through "phases" or do certain things at certain ages. Most seem determined to "get old" at fifty or sixty. None of that seemed to affect my life -- as though I hardly notice the passage of decades. That my offspring have offspring who have offspring does not cast me into any life role. That most of my age cohort have become sedentary (and seem to expect the same of me) does not keep me away from the fitness center or off the bicycle (both undertaken rather seriously).

Perhaps attitude has something to do with having (or not having) a crisis?

well why do you think you are having one? I think people tend to re-evaluate where they are in life periodically throughout life but these reflections seem more critical in midlife because usually there is more at stake.

We have wives, husbands, children who are more deeply affected by changes we may want to make. Things like buying sports cars are now possible as many reach their peak earning years at 40-55. For some, their kids are self supporting by now which means additional ready funds. So it is not so much a crisis as a time to fulfill some things/dreams that we've set aside while raising a family.

Plus as soufie said people start feeling like they are "running out of time" at around 40-45 or so. But really if you think about it, you have probably been making subtle or not so subtle changes throughout your life.

Midlife brings some unavoidable physiological changes as well which may magnify the whole idea of midlife crisis.

A midlife crisis is self-created. It wouldn't exist if one were not to create it.

Been some really great answers.

For me most of my "crisis' were inflicted rather than chosen and sometimes it is not so much about being heroic but just surviving because you have no other choice.

this can also be very true, I quite agree. it seems like some of us experience some pretty drastic changes in midlife that may not be of our choosing

You get to a point in your life when you realize things that never even entered your mind during your twenties and thirties. And you try to do something about them.

I think a mid life crisis could be someone getting older and they can not deal with it. They have to prove to themselves and others that they still "got it" and do things that could ruin a lot of peoples lives.
The sad thing is they are not the only one who pays for the mid life crisis...it may be the whole family and their partner. The truth is, everyone gets older so why not grow old gracefully?

I had my midlife crises prematurely at the age of 27. I kept asking myself, what's it all about. No one knew, no one cared. So I looked for answers in books. The first book I bought was Descartes' Discourses and Meditations. And it completely blew my mind. I was awed at the way in which he dealt with so-called knowledge. He had a no-nonsense style, very concise. He actually retired at the age of thirty so he could isolate himself and contemplate such things. I no longer felt like a freak. Because I was in good company. People my age were out partying while I was alone contemplating death and nothingness. hahahah!

Ahh but did he buy a sports car and start listening to rap music?

There is no such thing as a mid-life crisis because people don't know how long that they will live, and, thus, they don't know what will be the midpoint in their lives.

Just to me a Midlife Crisis is the feeling you don't fit in anymore with todays society being as it is and not the way it was"in your minds eye"when you find yourself single again!! Being excepted is important to everyone on here and the reason you are here also. This is handled by each person individually in different ways. Some need Medication to help? This is not my way, I except reality for what it is and move on with life not dwelling on "what could be,just except what it is!!" Hope this helps some?

I suspect this is pretty spot on. Obviously, health and circumstance do affect what people can do or have been able to do, but attitude is no doubt the big factor that decides whether a person makes changes for the better, according to what they want to do with their life, or whether they just "freak out" at various stages.

Where's my cane?