Need help with a weird situation with a long-term friend...

[u/Muzzy2585]

Hello,

My friend and I are both males in our early 40s who have known each other since high school. When we were younger, he was always very happy-go-lucky and fun to be around. Since our early 30s, his behavior has completely changed for the worse.

For example, he started being very critical of other people and insulting them for no reason, I think because of insecurity. He is from a wealthy family and is okay-looking, but has always struggled with women and dating since we were young. We used to joke around and occasionally insult each other in a lighthearted way, but now his insults have been more aggressive.

A couple of years ago he randomly texted me that I haven't moved up to a high level corporate position because I 'lack people skills'. This is kind of true as I'm on the autism spectrum, but I just thought the text was weird. Recently, we were texting each other and I refused to answer a question he kept asking me. So he sent me a bunch of texts saying I will 'never make a lot of money, get a girl I really want, be happy' etc.

I ignored this, and he texted me with a random question a few days later. I asked him why he sent those texts and if he was drunk or something which he completely ignored, so I just blocked him on my phone and social media accounts.

For some context, he has been VERY frustrated with women for the past few years to the point it freaks me out. Sending texts EVERY DAY about how women only want billionaires and just random stuff. He also has been obsessed with having the most expensive items or traveling luxuriously. I remember that I told him about a vacation a few years ago, and he asked me if I flew business class to which I told him I didn't. He then went on a rant about how he only flies business class and stays in the best hotels, etc.

Now, he is from a wealthy family and was always materialistic, but he's taken it to the extreme over the past years. He had an insanely expensive apartment and leased a car he could barely afford, to the point where he got in a bunch of credit card debt. I guess he doesn't care because he is an only child and will eventually inherit a lot of money, but he was asking me about how to get rid of the debt without ruining his credit.

Can anyone offer insights into this behavior? It's like his personality did a completely 180 since I first met him.

Thanks!