Coping with depression after cheating on someone: The psychological effect of infidelity on a relationship can be long-lasting, but there are ways to deal with it.
Ways of Coping With Depression After Cheating on Someone
One way is to use cognitive restructuring techniques to change the person’s narrative about the infidelity. Another is to forgive yourself for the past. Whether you choose to do this alone or with a partner, you must have a strategy to deal with your feelings of guilt and shame.
Infidelity can Have a Long-term Negative Psychological Effect on a Relationship
One of the negative effects of infidelity is the resulting psychological damage to both partners. The betrayed partner may feel guilt and doubt their own intentions. Their self-esteem can be destroyed and they may start making comparisons with their former partner. Moreover, the betrayed partner may become more prone to drug and alcohol abuse and overeating. Couples should seek counseling after being betrayed.
Also read: “Biggest Mistakes in Relationships: 3 Deadly Mistakes to Avoid.”
Often, an affair entails sexual intercourse with someone outside of the relationship. The person may be unaware of the emotional connection that he or she felt towards the other partner. Sexual affairs are particularly difficult to forgive and are more difficult to recover from for men than women. However, women are more likely to forgive affairs that are not sexual.
Infidelity can cause devastating effects to a marriage or romantic relationship. Its emotional effects can last for a long time, unlike other kinds of betrayals. The faithful romantic partner may struggle to forgive the cheating partner, suffering from depression and a lack of self-confidence. At the same time, the unfaithful partner may feel deep shame, remorse, and anxiety that they may never be welcomed back into the relationship.
Cognitive Restructuring Techniques can Help Address the Person’s Narrative of Infidelity
The emotional and psychological impact of infidelity on a person can be devastating. Therapy can help heal the wounds of infidelity and help the person rebuild their self-confidence. A therapist can also help a person address negative beliefs about the relationship, which can often stem from the betrayal. Therapy can also help a person begin the process of moving on and forgiving.
During therapy, counselors should consider three categories when dealing with infidelity: individual factors, dyadic factors, and relationship issues. They should ask about the client’s history and any mental health issues they have dealt with. Certain mental health conditions may increase the risk of infidelity.
Cognitive restructuring techniques are a valuable option for addressing the person’s narrative of infidelity. These techniques involve exploring rigid beliefs and behaviors and replacing them with more adaptive ones. These techniques are particularly helpful in addressing the person’s narrative of insecurity after cheating on someone.
Focusing on the Future
While it is natural to feel sad after cheating, focusing on the future will help you cope better. Instead of focusing on the past, think about what has happened since the cheating and what you can do differently. Taking better care of yourself will help improve your mood and your overall happiness. It will also help you move on with your life.
You may find yourself blaming yourself for the cheating. However, blaming yourself is not healthy and will only delay the healing process. While self-reflection is necessary for your personal growth, excessive self-blame can delay the healing process. Instead, place the blame on the person who cheated on you.
Forgiving Yourself
If you have been cheated on, forgiveness is key to your emotional healing. Although you may be tempted to blame yourself for the mistake, that will only make your situation worse. Instead, focus on what you can change to improve your behavior going forward. Talk to people who have influenced you in the past, accept their advice, and surround yourself with motivational materials.
One of the best ways to begin the process of forgiveness is by acknowledging that you cheated. This will help you to understand why you made such an error and find a way to move on. Afterward, you will feel a sense of relief and self-worth.
Another essential element of forgiveness is making amends. Shame makes people feel bad and can lead to depression, aggression, and addiction. When you feel you have earned forgiveness, it is more likely to stick.
