Infidelity is the act of being unfaithful in a committed relationship.
The long-term psychological effects of infidelity compare to those of many other traumas.
In this post we will look at how affairs affect the family, the impact of infidelity on betrayed spouses, and the mental health impact on children of infidelity.
Although it may seem like an issue reserved for adults, the impact of infidelity is not limited to the hurt partner and the partner involved. Older children (and even younger children) can witness or experience the consequences of a parent’s infidelity, which can lead to significant trauma.
In this article, we will explore the emotional and psychological effects of infidelity.
Discovery of a case
Infidelity involves breaking the trust and commitment built up within a relationship. It occurs when one partner becomes involved in romantic or sexual relationships with someone other than their committed partner. This breach of trust can happen in a number of ways, including emotional affairs, physical affairs, or even online hookups.
Discovering a relationship is the first opportunity to try to mitigate the stressful impact on your family. If you are the hurt partner, now is the time to engage in thoughtful self-care. If you are the partner involved, now is the time for honesty and repair. Answer your partner’s questions honestly and be open to the idea of outside support.
The emotional impact
For people who experience infidelity firsthand, the emotional impact can be profound. Feelings of betrayal, hurt, and anger are common, leading to a rollercoaster of emotions that can be difficult to navigate. The term post-infidelity stress disorder is a good label for this complicated time.
The hurt partner may suffer a significant blow to their self-esteem and self-esteem. They may wonder what they did wrong to warrant such betrayal.
Trust issues
The most obvious and important consequence of infidelity is the erosion of trust. Trust and commitment form the walls Gottman’s Sound Relationship House. Trust in any relationship builds the foundation for love, communication and emotional connection.
It can be incredibly difficult to rebuild trust, often leaving a lingering sense of doubt in future relationships. This is where finding the right couples therapist can make a big impact. You can restore trust, your relationship can recover from this trauma, but you need support.
Psychological effects
Infidelity can also lead to various psychological effects. Victims may suffer from depression, anxiety or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Flashbacks, hypervigilance, and difficulty concentrating are common symptoms experienced by those affected by infidelity.
If these effects are affecting your ability to live your life on a regular basis, I suggest you find an individual therapist. They will help you self-regulate and give you a place to process the trauma you are experiencing. Working with an individual therapist also gives you a confidential place to talk about infidelity.
Don’t tell friends or family about the infidelity, it will make things worse and could cause problems if you stay together.
How infidelity affects children
What effect does a parent’s infidelity have on a child?
Infidelity can have a profound effect on the family unit. Extramarital affairs can lead to separation or divorce, causing significant disruption in children’s lives. This can lead to emotional distress, feelings of abandonment and difficulties in building healthy relationships in the future.
Infidelity can greatly affect the academic performance of high school students if they experience it themselves or see it happen in their family.
It is difficult for them to concentrate on school work when they are dealing with strong emotions and do not know what will happen in their relationships.
Coping with trauma related to infidelity
Healing from infidelity is not a one-size-fits-all thing. It’s more like finding the right approach for your particular situation. This is why a thorough evaluation before starting treatment is so important.
In my experience working with couples who have dealt with the trauma of infidelity, I have found that one of the tools that helps is the Gottman model. It’s like a road map with three main steps: Atone, Atune and Attach.
Atone
First, in the Atonement phase, both people must apologize for the hurt caused and take responsibility for their own role in the relationship’s problems before and during the infidelity.
Atune
Then Atune is about working things out and finding a new way of interacting that works best for both people, like learning a new dance together.
Connect
Then Attach is about rebuilding trust and reaching out again in new ways, creating a stronger bond.
Another important element to help heal the trauma of infidelity is a solid trauma education. EMDR and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) can help people let go of the pain from the relationship and see the relationship in a more positive light again.
And if you’re looking for a jump-start on the healing process, a couple relationship recovery boosters can really come in handy. It’s a deep dive into your relationship. both the couple and the therapist have more time to work toward healing without rushing.
There is no one right way to heal from the trauma of infidelity, but finding the right professional with the right tools and methods can certainly make a difference.
