Middle age is not easily definable from a chronological perspective. Typically we think of it as a period when we are no longer young but not really old either. We have usually made career choices and have become involved with caring for our families that may include our spouses, children, and aging parents. By this time in our lives most of us have been through many experiences that have given shape to who we are.
Sometimes middle age is often seen as the waiting room to life’s final chapter. As for myself a recent moment brought home to me that maybe I should begin to think about the changes that occur in middle age. One recent summer night my brother, a psychogeriatrician, myself and our lovely wives decided to visit a McDonald’s take-out for late night sustenance. I was behind the wheel. I had placed our order at the voice box, paid for our meals at the money window and was instructed to proceed to the food window. Rather than proceeding along the yellow brick road for the food, I found myself pressing the pedal to the metal. I rocketed towards the freeway. The universe seemed to be unfolding in a reasonable way. Suddenly my wife’s shocked voice interrupted my reverie, “did you forget something Darling or are you just losing your cookies?” It then dawned on me that somehow I had short circuited. Earth to Shane, you pay money, you are entitled to food.
On reflection, I didn’t think this was the beginning of my intellectual decline, but it was a gentle reminder that the candles on the cake were getting heavier than the cake. It was not as though this was the impetus for a middle aged crisis, but it touched upon certain issues. I decided to put pen to paper and write about some of my experiences as a psychiatrist as regards this period of life called middle age.
“Dr. Shane, a veteran psychiatrist, examines the struggles and angst of midlife in Keeping Your Cool Thru Your Midlife Meltdown. This book offers empathy, insight, and understanding about this important time in life.”
Marci Shimoff, NY Times bestselling author, Love for No Reason and Happy for No Reason
“A fascinating and thought provoking book, full of valuable insights.”
Robin Sharma, author of the #1 international bestseller “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”.
“Fred’s charming, witty, poignant book strikes at the core issues of our aging generation with gentle humour and profound insights”
Executive Vice-Chairman, The Historica-Dominion Institute
