Where To Turn for Support When You Suspect A Cheating Spouse
If you’ve discovered that your significant other is having an affair–or even if you suspect your spouse is cheating!–then you’re probably on an emotional roller coaster right now. No one said this was going to be easy. But you don’t have to go through it alone, either. In fact, you shouldn’t go through this time alone.
It’s vital that you have some kind of support network on your side, even if this network just consists of one person. It’s important to have someone who can root you on when you feel like giving up, and point out things you may be overlooking.
Family First
1. Family
This is the first place most of us will turn. If you get along with your family–even just one member–this is probably the first place you should turn.
Forget the fact that your family has known you longer (and often better) than anyone else. The most important factor here is trust.
You might have trust issues now that you know your spouse is cheating. Your trust has already been shaken in a big way by the man or woman you should be able to trust most in this world. It’s important that you have someone on your side that you really can trust. For most of us, family provides at least one person who fits this bill exactly.
Some Friendly Advice
2. Friends
Friends are also a good place to go to for support. In tough times, we might even look to our friends before we look to our family for support.
In the case of a cheating spouse (or a suspected one), it can be hard to trust anybody. The best thing, usually, is to talk to a friend who doesn’t live in the area and/or that you have known for a long time.
(If you have any friend who’s gotten with a serious significant other behind your back–even if it was just in high school–then this is not the person to pick!)
Consult an expert
3. A counselor
This is an option that most people don’t turn to–but that more people should.
Not only do counselor’s receive training in how to help you keep from going nuts, good ones have experience with cases like yours and can help guide you through the roller-coaster.
This isn’t an option most people choose. Yet sometimes a counselor’s words will have more effect than even your best friend’s.
After all, you expect your friends to tell you that this isn’t your fault. To have someone who you don’t know as well–and who has the authority of having dealt with this kind of thing before–this simple act can do you more good than you might ever think.
Then there is the fact that a counselor can help you learn how to deal with this whole new string of emotions–no small task in itself!
Try to keep a level head
4. Support groups
Nothing will help you out like meeting with other men and women who have gone through exactly what you’re dealing with right now. You’ll likely get good advice here.
Most of all, you’ll come away from your first support meeting feeling ten times better. When you’re feeling hurt like this, nothing feels better than to talk to someone about it–and have your story heard by those who understand exactly what you’re going through with your cheating spouse!
It’s said, there’s wisdom in crowds. Talking with people who share the same hurts as you can be a life saver!