> The brother of someone I know did just that a few years ago. He went through some kind of midlife crisis and left his wife, children, and family business without a word. She tried to trace him through the police, but the police wouldn't cooperate because there was no sign of foul play. He was spotted by a relative a year or so later living in an apartment not too far away and has since moved back with his family.

What possible middle life crisis can make people detach themselves from their family and kids for a year without telling them?

Are there services to reintegrate these people with their family if it's a widely acknowledged problem?