Can Infidelity Cause PTSD? Unpacking the Truth

Can infidelity cause PTSD? When two people are in a relationship, they often promise to be true to each other. But sometimes, one partner may break this promise by having a romantic or emotional connection with someone else. This breaking of trust is called ‘infidelity,’ and it can hurt the other person’s feelings.

Just like when a scary event makes someone feel bad for a long time, finding out about infidelity can make someone feel very upset. This kind of deep sadness and worry is what adults call ‘post-traumatic stress disorder,’ or PTSD for short. It’s a serious condition that can happen after something scary or hurtful.

Some grown-ups wonder if being cheated on by a partner can cause PTSD. It’s a big question because it’s about the mind and the heart. In our talk today, we’ll look at how infidelity can shake up someone’s world, make them feel like they are on a scary roller coaster of emotions, and how it might lead to something called ‘post-infidelity stress disorder,‘ which is a lot like PTSD.

The Nature of Infidelity in Committed Relationships 

When people are in a committed relationship, like being married or promising to date each other, they usually agree not to be romantically involved with anyone else. Infidelity means breaking this promise. It can happen in different ways: someone might have another boyfriend or girlfriend, a crush, or strong feelings for someone else.

A lot of people might wonder why someone would be unfaithful. There are many reasons, like being unhappy in the relationship or feeling ignored. Sometimes, people are just curious about being with someone else. No matter the reason, when one person finds out that the other has been unfaithful, it can feel like a huge shock.

After someone learns about an affair, things can get tough. They might feel very sad, angry, or confused. This is the aftermath, which means what happens after an event, and it’s not easy for anyone. Just like when you have a bad dream and keep thinking about it, someone who’s been cheated on might keep thinking about the infidelity over and over.

The Psychological Aftermath of Betrayal 

Imagine how it feels when a friend breaks a promise — it’s not a good feeling, right? Now think about how much worse it would feel if that friend was someone you loved a lot, like a family member. That’s what it’s like for adults when their partner betrays them.

This betrayal can make people feel lots of strong emotions. They might have ‘intrusive thoughts,’ which means they can’t stop thinking about the bad stuff that happened, even if they want to. They might feel scared or jumpy, have nightmares, or even feel like the betrayal is happening all over again. These are symptoms of PTSD, and yes, they can happen because of infidelity.

When someone has PTSD from being cheated on, they might feel mad, sad, or humiliated. They might see pictures in their mind of their partner with someone else, which can feel like watching a bad movie that they can’t turn off. They might have difficulty feeling happy, even when doing things they used to love. These are all signs that infidelity has hurt them a lot, almost like when you scrape your knee badly, but it’s their heart and feelings that are damaged.

Understanding these feelings can help people know they’re not alone and that it’s okay to ask for help if they’re having a tough time after being cheated on.

From Betrayal to Trauma: When Infidelity Leads to PTSD 

Betrayal in a relationship is a big deal. It’s not just about feeling let down; it’s like carrying a backpack full of rocks. It’s heavy and can make you feel tired all the time. For some people, this heavy feeling can turn into something called trauma. Trauma is when your mind keeps feeling hurt and scared long after a bad thing has happened, like the memory of falling off your bike makes you scared to ride again.

Grown-ups have done studies and found that when someone is cheated on, they can feel this kind of trauma, too. It’s like the hurt from the betrayal sticks to them. Just like getting a cold can make your body sick, this kind of hurt can make your mind sick with something called PTSD. You might have heard about PTSD when people talk about soldiers coming back from faraway places where there was a lot of danger. But it’s not just soldiers who can get PTSD; people who have been cheated on can get it, too.

When a person has PTSD from infidelity, they can have a lot of different feelings. They might be really sad, angry, or scared a lot of the time. They might have bad dreams or feel like they’re reliving the moment they found out about the cheating. They might even feel like they can’t trust anyone anymore, just like if someone told you there was no school tomorrow and you had to go anyway.

In the past, people didn’t think about infidelity as something that could cause PTSD. But now, doctors and counselors understand that the shock of being cheated on can be really serious. They’ve even given it a special name: post-infidelity stress disorder, or PISD. It’s like PTSD, but it’s all about the feelings that come after someone finds out their partner has been unfaithful.

Healing and Recovery: Pathways to Overcoming Infidelity-Induced PTSD 

Even after someone is hurt by infidelity, there is hope for feeling better. Just like when you scrape your knee, and it heals over time, the mind can heal from hurt feelings, too. The first step is often talking to someone who knows a lot about feelings, like a counselor or therapist. These professionals can help sort through feelings and find ways to start feeling happier again.

There are also things people can do on their own to feel better. They might write about their feelings, exercise, or do things that calm them, like deep breathing or listening to their favorite music. It’s like having a toolbox where each tool helps fix a part of what’s broken inside.

Friends and family are important, too. They’re like a team that helps you when you’re struggling. Sometimes, talking to someone who cares can make a big difference. There are also groups where people who have been through the same thing can talk to each other. It’s like having a club where everyone understands your feelings because they’ve felt it, too.

Complexities and Challenges in the Healing Process 

Getting better after being hurt by infidelity isn’t always easy. It’s unlike a video game where you can restart, and everything’s fine. Everyone heals at their own pace; sometimes, there can be bumps.

Boys and girls, or men and women, might feel differently about being cheated on. They might show their feelings in different ways. Some people might want to talk a lot about it, while others might keep their feelings inside. This is okay because everyone is different.

And sometimes, even after someone starts to feel better, they might suddenly feel sad or mad again. It’s like when you’re playing outside, and you’re fine, but then you remember the toy you broke, making you feel sad again. These feelings are part of ‘triggers,’ which can be tricky.

Unsolved problems can also make it harder to heal. If you don’t finish a project for school, it might keep bothering you. If people don’t talk about why the infidelity happened, it might be harder for them to feel better.

Moving Forward After Infidelity and PTSD 

After a person finds out they’ve been cheated on and starts to feel those heavy feelings, like being in a dark tunnel, there’s a way to find light again. Moving forward means to keep going, even when it’s hard. It’s like learning to ride your bike again after a fall, but this time, you know more about how to keep your balance.

To rebuild trust in a relationship or to feel good about new friendships is like putting together a puzzle. Each piece is an honest talk, a promise kept, or a fun time shared. Over time, these pieces can make a picture of a healthier, happier friendship or love.

Sometimes, to help the mind heal from the bad memories of being cheated on, people might try something called ‘cognitive restructuring.’ That’s a big term for changing the way you think about things. It’s like when you thought monsters were under the bed, but then you learned they weren’t real, and you weren’t scared anymore.

Another thing that can help is called ‘exposure therapy.’ It’s a way to slowly face the things that scare you so they don’t seem so scary after a while. Think of it like dipping your toes in the water before you jump into the pool. It helps you get used to it.

Finding a new normal means creating a new routine that makes you feel safe and happy. It’s like drawing a new picture after the old one got smudged. With time and help, anyone can move forward and start to feel the sunshine again after the rain of infidelity and PTSD.

Recognizing and Managing Triggers After Infidelity 

As we continue to explore the journey of healing after infidelity, it’s important to understand ‘triggers.’ Triggers are things that remind someone of the bad experience they had and can suddenly make them feel upset all over again. It’s like hearing a song that reminds you of a sad time. 

Learning to recognize these triggers is a big step. Then, it’s all about managing them, like learning to breathe deeply or talk to someone when they happen. It’s about planning, like knowing what to do when a storm comes.

The Role of Forgiveness in Healing from Infidelity-Induced PTSD 

Forgiveness can be a tough topic when it comes to infidelity. It’s like deciding to erase a part of a chalkboard that was hurtful. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting, but it can mean letting go of anger so it doesn’t keep hurting you. 

For some, forgiving is a part of healing, like cleaning a wound so it can get better. This section will talk about what forgiveness can look like and how it can help someone move forward.

Building New Relationships After Experiencing Infidelity and PTSD 

After experiencing the hurt of infidelity and the challenges of PTSD, starting new relationships can feel scary. It’s like trying to pet a dog after being bitten by one. But with time and care, trust can bloom again. This part of our talk will cover slowly building the courage to make new friends or even start a new romantic relationship. 

It’s about learning to trust again, step by step, like building a tower with blocks, carefully placing one on top of the other until it’s strong and steady.

The Bottom Line

In our journey today, we’ve learned that infidelity can shake the foundation of trust and cause deep hurt, sometimes leading to feelings like those of PTSD. But just like a broken bone heals with care and time, the heart and mind can also recover. It’s important to remember that feeling upset is normal, and reaching out for help is a brave step towards healing. With the support of friends, family, and professionals and embracing strategies like cognitive restructuring and exposure therapy, anyone can find their path to a brighter, more hopeful future after the storm of betrayal. Remember, each day brings a new chance to heal, grow, and move forward toward happiness.