Third Of Men Admit To Having A Midlife Crisis

It's not just about motorbikes and fancy cars: Survey unveils depression behind fear of ageing 

Around a third of men in their forties and fifties admit to having gone through a what they consider midlife crisis, in which they come to terms with getting old, a new survey suggests.

Thirty per cent of older men said that their behaviour had changed noticeably, resulting in impulse purchases, marriage splits and unusual hobbies or pastimes as they try to recapture their youth. Those surveyed said that they had been through what they saw as a "classic" midlife crisis with inappropriate purchases of cars, boats, holidays and - in one case - plastic surgery.

Some of those who admitted to a crisis also told the survey, carried out on behalf of gentleman's fashion and lifestyle website Socked.co.uk, that they encountered significant bouts of depression as they came to terms with their mortality. 

"This survey's been a real eye-opener," said Mark Hall, of Socked.co.uk, "What started out as a fun look at the strange things older men do to relive their youth has also shown us the other side of the coin - depression and genuine fear for the future.

"However, some of the things we heard were truly funny and, in some cases, awe-inspiring. Major props to the chap who decided to drop everything and follow his favourite 80s band on every date of their reunion tour; and also to the gentleman who took a year out volunteering for charities."

Men who admitted to having a midlife crisis said they'd spent money on these to feel young again:

Motorbikes 

Sports car

Plastic surgery

Holidays

New wardrobe

"A new wife"

Pop concert tickets

Tattoo 

Men told us what they thought might have "triggered" their change of behaviour:

Death of a friend, family member or colleague

Divorce

Children growing up and leaving home

Paying off the mortgage, resulting in a large disposable income

Being passed over for promotion at work for a younger person

Simple desire to have fun and "live a bit"

Health Scare

The survey results also revealed a sadder aspect of the midlife crisis. "About ten per cent of men told us that their crisis also involved depression," Mark Hall of Socked.co.uk said. 

"It's not something that's widely reported and reveals how some people have trouble coping with the fact that they're approaching old age."

However, large numbers of men told Socked.co.uk that they had not been through any kind of crisis. Most said they were "perfectly happy with my life", while one person told us "I went through all that years ago. I embraced middle age as soon as I left school."

"Incidentally a sock subscription from socked.co.uk starts at just £5.99 a month which is cheaper than that second hand sports car you have your eye on, and much more fun" said Mark.

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