While unfaithful partners work hard to hide their secrets, life has a funny way of exposing them
Image credits: LightFieldStudios (not the actual photo)
In this story, a cheating boyfriend exposed himself while he was being rushed to the ER
Image credits: Prostock-studio (not the actual photo)
22% of unfaithful partners had never confessed their affair to their significant other
Cheating in relationships is more common than people think. Around 22% of individuals admit to cheating on their partner before marriage, and another 22% never confess to their affair. These cheating statistics show that many affairs stay hidden, especially when the unfaithful partner doesn’t come clean.
As seen in the viral emergency room story, many signs of infidelity can go unnoticed. According to relationship expert and psychotherapist Oona Metz, LICSW, this happens because many people trust their partner blindly.
“Romantic relationships are built on love and trust,” Metz explained. “But that trust can create blind spots. If one partner is deeply invested emotionally, they may overlook obvious red flags simply because they don’t want to believe their partner is cheating.”
This emotional denial is common, says Kendra Capalbo, LICSW, a marriage counseling specialist and owner of Concierge Couples Counseling. In a past interview, she said, “The betrayed partner might notice something is wrong but convince themselves that ignoring it shows trust. In reality, they’re just afraid to face the pain and emotional betrayal.”
Another reason why infidelity is hard to detect is because cheating partners work hard to keep it secret. Metz added, “Cheaters often use gaslighting in relationships to hide the truth. They’ll lie, manipulate, and make their partner question their own instincts. This kind of emotional abuse makes it difficult for someone to know what’s real.”
These insights reveal why it’s crucial to know the warning signs of cheating and not ignore them. If you’re feeling unsure or anxious in your relationship, seeking professional relationship advice or couples therapy could be a smart step toward emotional clarity and healing.
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
Betrayal of a loved one can cause severe emotional distress
When relationship betrayal is finally exposed, the emotional pain can feel overwhelming. Being hurt by someone you deeply trusted especially a partner can lead to something called betrayal trauma, which affects both mental and physical health.
According to Dr. Jill Manning, LMFT, a certified clinical trauma professional, “The effects of betrayal can be severe and disorienting. When someone close to us breaks our trust, it can cause serious emotional distress. People may experience anxiety, hypervigilance, trouble sleeping, difficulty controlling emotions, and a constant feeling of insecurity in relationships.”
Steps to Healing From Betrayal Trauma
Recovering from this type of emotional damage is not easy but it is possible with the right support. Dr. Manning explains that the first step toward healing from betrayal trauma is creating a sense of safety.
This includes:
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Practicing regular self-care
- Learning to calm and regulate the nervous system through mental health support techniques
She adds, “Healing also means reclaiming your power, getting help from trauma-informed therapists, and processing the pain on emotional, cognitive, and spiritual levels. The path is not always straight it takes time, patience, and persistence but healing is absolutely possible.”
Letting Go of Resentment Before Forgiveness
While many people rush to talk about forgiveness, experts say it’s okay to take your time. According to Karen Bieman, a registered clinical counselor and trauma recovery coach, it’s more helpful to focus on releasing resentment than trying to forgive too soon.
“It’s important to work through all your feelings,” she said. “There is no deadline for forgiveness. Also, forgiving someone doesn’t mean you excuse their actions, and it doesn’t mean you have to stay in the relationship.”
Readers were glad that the woman found out about the affair before it was too late
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