Has an affair threatened or broken the foundation of your relationship? Are you and/or your partner struggling with feelings of mistrust, jealousy, anger, sadness or guilt? Maybe you suspect that your partner is cheating, but don’t know how to confront him or her about the possibility of an affair. Or maybe an affair has occurred and you wonder if your relationship is now beyond repair, even if the person who engaged in the affair is expressing remorse and guilt. Do you wish you knew that your relationship could be saved and you could once again connect with your partner on a meaningful and intimate level?
Affairs can cause significant damage to relationships. Whether you’ve been married for years or dating a short amount of time, infidelity can create feelings of betrayal, mistrust, fear and sadness. You might be questioning your future as a couple, afraid that your relationship is over.One or both of you may be experiencing feelings of fear and anxiety, which can make a difficult and confusing situation all the more painful.
Even if there has been no admission of infidelity, you may suspect that your partner is being unfaithful. Perhaps he or she is consistently late or has becomes defensive of his or her phone or Internet activity. You may want to confront your partner, but don’t know how to. Or, perhaps you have asked and your questions have been met with more defensiveness or even aggression. Whether you know or suspect that an affair is threatening the security of your relationship, you may be flooded with feelings of unease, confusion and even fear.
Infidelity Affects Millions Of Couples
If you and your partner are working on overcoming infidelity, you are not alone. Statistics reports that anywhere between 30 percent and 60 percent of couples experience infidelity at some point in their relationship. Everything from chronic arguments to a lack of romance and intimacy can lead to infidelity.
Affairs can be harmful to both people in the relationship. The person who was cheated on often feels a great sense of betrayal. Suddenly, established trust has been diminished. He or she wonders why the affair happened and may feel a loss of safety and security. He or she may also experience heightened anxiety, especially if children and finances are a factor.
The person who cheated also finds him or herself in a difficult situation. On the positive side, he or she may feel a sense of relief when the affair is discovered. However, many people who cheat feel extreme guilt and shame over their behavior and hurting their partner. And, the aspect of lying can be particularly painful, especially if the unfaithful party is reluctant to break off the other relationship.