Read our, Signs Your Spouse Is Having an Emotional Affair, How to Protect Your Marriage From Emotional Cheating, Best Online Couples Therapy and Counseling of 2023, Infidelity: Signs, Types, and How to Cope, 9 Signs You're Having an Emotional Affair, How to Resist the Temptation to Cheat in a Relationship, Causes and Risks of Why Married People Cheat. In fact, Neuman goes as far as to say that limiting your relationships with others is "the single most important thing you can do for your marriage." The researchers observed that many of the participants suffered from depression and anxiety as a result of being cheated on. They may even do more harm than a physical affair. For instance, if your partner never offers praise or expresses affection for you, its normal to crave that kind of attention. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards. Sexual and Relationship Therapy 22: 109-126. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Men with depression feel likely hopeless, worthless, and a diminished pleasure and interest in life. Your partner is showing obvious signs that theyre no longer interested in you or your relationship. How Are Male Depression and Emotional Affairs Connected? Accessed Dec. 6, 2022. So buckle up and get ready for an eye-opening ride into the dark side of cyberspace! The reality is that it takes both partners in a relationship to guard against emotional infidelity. Theyre arguably more easily facilitated with the help of modern technology like dating apps or social networks. You might not be sure how to talk openly about your emotions. Emotional Affair Emotional These issues can increase the risk of emotional affairs, as individuals may seek validation or support outside of their primary relationship. Keyes, R.F. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. You may withdraw from you partner altogether, or you may push the issue and explode. The Other Side of Infidelity Sometimes people who have affairs might also have poor impulse control and emotional regulation. Ask your doctor, Infidelity Mending your marriage after an affair. Lingering doubt or insecurity may be fatal to the relationship. Causes of Infidelity in Relationships You dont feel supported by your partner because you continuously argue about your mood. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. This can set someone up for failure in terms of their life, their career, and even their relationships. A therapist can aid you in your journey, independent of whether you stay with your cheating partner or not. However, up to 20% will engage in extramarital sex at some point. You arent even sure you deserve to be in a relationship. Both of these forms of handling conflict (or avoiding conflict) are detrimental to your relationship. To start, its important to say that just because a man is depressed does not mean he will cheat. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. How Do Affairs Happen Your spouse starts withdrawing from you or criticizing you. The website earns a commission from ads. Signs of emotional affairs can include increased secrecy, a preoccupation with a particular person, decreased intimacy with one's partner, and a heightened emotional response to interactions with the other person. Jor-El believes in therapy as a collaborative working relationship and focuses most of his work on helping clients deal with anxiety, depression, identity, and LGBTQ+ issues. In some instances, it might also be a place to explore talking to your partner about the infidelity and identify other steps forward. Additionally, if any kind of infidelity has factored into your relationship, you may want to consider couples therapy. Communication is key in any type of relationship, especially romantic ones. 1979. It's important to remember that depression is a common condition and that there is no shame in seeking treatment or support. Studies show adults in the United States expect sexual monogamy. An emotional affair, on the other hand, inherently involves more emotional investment and there's generally involvement from both parties. Youre tempted to act out. Pleasers may stay in a relationship because that is what they feel they are supposed to do. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. It comes at the cost of the primary relationship and harms everyone involved. Men struggling with depression resort to behaviors like driving recklessly, gambling, using and abusing drugs and alcohol, practicing unsafe sex, and more. Depression can be one symptom of an underactive or occasionally overactive thyroid. Eaton, N.R., K.M. Alexa skill, Blog Depression in men is a treatable health condition, not a sign of emotional weakness or a failing of masculinity. It affects millions of men of all ages and backgrounds, as well as those who care about themspouses, partners, friends, and family. But an affair doesn't have to mean the end of a marriage. Unfortunately, depression isnt something that can be treated on its own. Our therapists are based in Minneapolis but work with clients in St. Paul and throughout Minnesota (and beyond thanks to TELEHEALTH!). 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. But many of these issues can be resolved once youre aware of them and can implement effective coping strategies. Can Male Depression Cause An Emotional Affair?