{"id":3167,"date":"2022-05-05T15:37:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T19:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divorceanswers.com\/?p=3167"},"modified":"2022-07-28T10:17:13","modified_gmt":"2022-07-28T15:17:13","slug":"does-pain-from-infidelity-ever-go-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divorceanswers.com\/does-pain-from-infidelity-ever-go-away\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Pain From Infidelity Ever Go Away?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Infidelity is one of the biggest causes of emotional pain in a relationship. There is no doubt that this breach of trust results in massive emotional distress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, the complexities involved make it hard to extract how much pain is from the infidelity itself or the issues surrounding the affair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monogamy is the most common form of marriage, and sexual fidelity takes top priority in most standard types of romantic relationships, married or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust can take years to mend if broken in a relationship, and sometimes it\u2019s irreparable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To heal from this deep wounding takes patience, compassion, time, and space. When we are hurt, these are qualities that are hard to cultivate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, it is possible to recover from this with concerted effort. Sometimes healing requires separation, yet other times it can bring two people closer together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many reasons why an affair takes place. Couples need to be willing to look at the issues beyond sexual infidelity if they are to heal and rebuild their relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is understandably hard for the partner who has been cheated on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give yourself time to process the betrayal before you look at your potential responsibility for improving the relationship. Remember, your partner\u2019s actions are theirs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There may have been issues in the relationship, but they chose to cheat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of a relationship, many people state that they would immediately end a relationship if their partner cheated on them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, when infidelity occurs, they may find that they do not want to end the relationship. It can be very confusing as the betrayal is profound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yet, the pain of ending the relationship can be just as severe as the betrayal itself. However, with proper support, studies show that couples can not only move forward in their relationship, but some also find a deeper connection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you choose to stay together, you\u2019ll have to learn to let go of resentment and anger in due time and accept that your partner has made a mistake. If both of you are committed to healing and rebuilding trust, this circumstance could create a stronger relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may find yourself more attentive to the other person's needs and more aware of your own needs. This awareness can help both of you address problems before they result in more significant issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But first, this kind of betrayal can feel like a tremendous loss, a death in many ways<\/a>, which can trigger a similar response to grief and mourning. You may find yourself grieving for your past and your future. These reactions are completely normal and expected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although everyone has a different reaction, here are some common emotions you can expect to feel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 Emotions To Expect After Being Cheated On<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Shock<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The infidelity may come as a complete surprise, shocking you out of reality. As a result, you may feel numb and unable to function or go into hyperactivity mode and act like it is just another day. Either reaction is normal. This is your nervous system's way of surviving the shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is strongly recommended that you don\u2019t make rash decisions at this point. You want to make decisions with a clear mind, not a mind in crisis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Denial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may deny the allegations, stand up for your partner while blaming the other person involved, or deny responsibility for yourself. If your partner has left, you may also set your mind to the idea that your partner will regret their actions and come back to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of this is hoping that the situation will be turned on its head, and you will not have to face the crushing reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also an expected reaction. Stay strong. You will find stability again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More:<\/strong> Signs of a Cheating Husband<\/a> or Signs of a Cheating Wife<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Betrayal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A deep sense of betrayal may fill your thoughts 24-hours a day. You may feel like your entire relationship is invalidated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may find yourself obsessing over every detail. However, it is doubtful that you will know every detail, and it is not necessarily beneficial for you to have the exact information. Your trust bond with your partner has been broken. That is the betrayal that you will need to work through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have a right to feel betrayed, so honor this. The intensity will shift as time moves forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Anger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anger is an emotion that is processed differently by people. Some people will close up emotionally and go silent, while others become volatile and chaotic. And some others may cry because they can\u2019t express themselves in any other way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be afraid of this emotion. There are many reasons to feel righteous anger. And, often, anger covers up the real pain of wounding, allowing you to regulate your emotional energy before going into deep sadness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may direct your anger to people or situations unrelated to this situation to buffer some of the pain. Try to be aware of your anger, because you may find yourself trying to push some of your pain onto others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the flip side, though, it\u2019s important to let yourself be angry. Instead of letting it blow up, allow the outward expression of it in suitable ways. For example, you may want to scream into a pillow or out in the forest, or you may feel like punching a pillow or a punching bag. If that is your impulse, do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let the energy move through you. Energy needs to move, and if it is not allowed to do so, it will either implode or explode. Neither have positive results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Hatred<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a fine line between love and hate. Infidelity can cause you to cross that emotional line. Wavering between these emotions is confusing. How can you hate someone you loved just yesterday? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, too, is a normal reaction. Your mind is struggling to find some sense in the situation. Hatred can compartmentalize the emotion for the time being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an uncomfortable feeling for most people. Keep breathing and know it will fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Sadness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, you may feel hopeless, lethargic, and sad. You may question what you did wrong to deserve this. It may feel like your partner chose to hurt you, and you may wonder whether you will ever get past this pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

None of these thoughts are beneficial and will not solve the problem. Instead, they will only lead you further into despair. It's okay to let yourself feel sad for a while, but do not let that sadness turn into self-punishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may temporarily feel like all of your hopes and dreams have gone away, but this is not true. Instead, you will have new hopes and dreams. Life will continue, possibly in even better ways than you can imagine right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Loneliness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may feel shame and embarrassment and, therefore, may isolate yourself from others. However, it is essential to understand that your partner made these choices, and you are not responsible for their actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is good to remember that you are not a rarity in this situation. Some studies<\/a> suggest around 30\u201340% of unmarried relationships and 18\u201320% of marriages have reported sexual infidelity. Both men and women, married and unmarried, and of all age and ethnic groups, find themselves in these vulnerable situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Depression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People experience depression<\/a> in different ways. There is no “right” way to experience depression. If you are prone to depression, this is a situation in which you want to make sure you have some professional help available to support you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven't experienced depression previously, this stage may feel overwhelming. Still, it isn't a sign of a mental health issue. Instead, it is a natural response to the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some indications of depression are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n