I think some of it is a surprise to the MLCer, too. In mid-life when folks start to evaluate their lives, and where they're at, those things that have been stuffed down successfully for so long bubble up and can no longer be ignored.
When it overflows they have no idea what to do with it and their reactions can be bizarre. Confusion sets in as they try to 'fix it' externally because it is so painful to look within.
They then try to outrun it, and most, not all, come to realize it was not their spouse or their children that caused their unhappiness. It was the issues within that they refused to look at and deal with.
