The effects of adultery can be devastating. It can also trigger mental health issues like depression and anxiety. During this highly stressful situation, what you need is emotional support from a compassionate and non-judgmental party.
What Constitutes Adultery?
To many people, adultery means a person being unfaithful to his or her partner. The range of activities under this definition is wide. It could be sexting with someone else. It could be developing an online relationship with someone through a dating app. Some consider kissing or flirting with different people as acts of unfaithfulness.
Under the law, though, only two instances constitute adultery in the UK:
- a married man has sex with a woman other than his wife, or,
- a married woman has sex with a man other than her husband.
Of course, these definitions do not reflect the nuances of relationships and what constitutes adultery for each couple.
The Impact of Adultery on Your Mental Health
Adultery can severely affect your mental health. It’s common to experience the following:
- anxiety and panic attacks
- confusion
- decreased self-esteem and confidence
- depression
- devastation
- feelings of abandonment or betrayal
- increased distress
- loneliness and isolation
- loss of control
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- rage and thoughts of revenge
Blame has a significant role in the emotional response to adultery. People who are betrayed by partners think the situation is their fault or they could have stopped it.
Blame has a significant role in the emotional response to adultery. People who are betrayed by partners think the situation is their fault or they could have stopped it.
- drug or alcohol abuse
- over-exercising
- eating disorders
- self-harm
- social withdrawal
- unsafe sex
The issues could spill over to the other roles of the couple, such as being parents. This creates a deeper layer to the emotional impact of adultery.
What Can You Do?
Adultery is one of the hardest issues a person can go through. No matter how impossible it feels right now, know that healing is possible.
It’s easy to feel like you’re fighting a losing battle alone in a highly-charged situation like adultery. You may feel abandoned by your partner for another person. Your mental health issues may make you cut all ties with family or friends.
If you’re not comfortable reaching out to family or friends, you still have another option for emotional support.
Listening support services offer a safe and confidential space where you can talk about your thoughts and feelings. No judgment— just a compassionate shoulder to lean on. Best of all, such listening support services are only one call away.
Talking for Therapy: 24/7 Listening Support in the UK
Knowing someone is always ready to listen to you can be incredibly comforting when you’re dealing with adultery and other personal issues. Talking for Therapy is available 24/7 to listen to anything you’d like to share. Book an appointment today, and let’s talk about YOU.
