6 Ways to Cope with Infidelity

Infidelity is an unwelcome event in any relationship, causing emotional distress such as sadness, disappointment, and loss of motivation, which can negatively impact work performance and lead to relationship breakdown or even divorce. In some cases, it can trigger mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

6 Ways to Cope with Infidelity

1. Allow yourself to feel the pain, disappointment, and sadness. These emotions are natural responses to such a situation.
2. Practice self-love and redirect the love you once gave to your partner to yourself. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally by maintaining personal hygiene, exercising, dressing up, getting enough rest, and engaging in enjoyable or relaxing activities.
3. Confide in someone you trust. Share your experience with someone you can rely on, as the emotional burden can be overwhelming to bear alone. Expressing your pain can help alleviate it.
4. Initially, keep yourself occupied with activities to avoid dwelling on the situation. Engage in continuous activities to stay busy and avoid negative thoughts and emotions. Once you’ve calmed down and some time has passed, reflect on the events and your emotional responses.
5. Once you’ve calmed down, try expressing your feelings to your partner using “I” statements. Instead of saying “You made me feel…” say “I feel…” and instead of saying “You did something terrible,” say “I feel bad about what happened.” Convey your feelings without blaming your partner, and they don’t have to explain themselves.
6. Once you’re feeling better, reflect on your true desires. Do you want honesty, a complete family, to be the only one in your partner’s life, or to have them by your side even if they have others? Then, consider the possibilities and feasibility of achieving these desires. Remember that any choice comes with trade-offs.

If you’re still struggling to cope with the situation after two months, despite confiding in someone, trying various relaxation techniques, and still being unable to come to terms with it, you might be experiencing emotional disturbances like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Consider seeking professional help from a therapist or psychiatrist to explore appropriate treatment options.

Ariyaporn Tangcheewinsirikul, M.D.
Adult Psychiatrist