It can be painful if your partner cheats, and you may find yourself wondering why they engaged in infidelity. There are many potential explanations and risk factors for why someone may cheat. Perhaps they were unhappy in their current relationship, or they found cheating exciting. It could be that their sexual needs were not being fulfilled, or that they have a sex addiction or trouble with commitment.
Sometimes cheating is the result of many factors that develop over time. It is also possible that the cheating was a one-time mistake. While there’s a negative stigma that most guys cheat or that people who cheat are mostly married men – that’s not the case.
While men report having cheated more frequently than women, it’s not just cheating men. Women cheat, too. A person of any gender can have the experience of, “I cheated on my boyfriend”. Additionally, cheating can present in various forms – from extramarital affairs to emotional affairs to serial infidelity.
Regardless of the reason for cheating, you may benefit from the help of a licensed mental health professional in working through the resulting emotional pain. Infidelity can impact current and subsequent relationships or take a toll on a person’s self-esteem. Online therapy could be an effective way to begin your healing journey.
Six reasons why someone might cheat
People in relationships sometimes cheat because they aren’t happy with their current situation. If the thought “She cheated on me and I don’t know why” keeps disturbing your mind, there is a possibility that your partner is no longer happy. Sometimes, men and women use infidelity to exit a primary relationship when they do not wish to initiate a breakup. Some men cheat because they’re hoping their partner will break up with them; that way, they don’t have to go through the challenge of ending the relationship themselves.
Long-term relationships can require energy, effort, and even financial resources to maintain. Couples’ lives can change drastically with the addition of children or changes in jobs and routines, and these changes can sometimes get in the way of connection and communication. Though everyone has their own reasons for cheating, a lack of emotional intimacy may be one of the reasons behind infidelity.
Some people who engage in infidelity find it exciting. Many women and men are excited by the thrill of cheating itself, or the potential of being caught. Doing something wrong can seem enticing, and can even become something they can’t seem to get enough of. Chronic cheaters (people who cheat in relationships repeatedly) may fall into this category.
Why Do People Cheat On Those They Love?
Conversely, there may also be people who can’t seem to stop cheating, even if they feel deep shame about their own actions after the excitement is over. Their desire to cheat may override their morals regarding their relationship.
This type of behavior may stem from sexual addiction, narcissistic traits, traumatic childhood experiences, poor self-esteem or self-worth, or mental health struggles that lead them to seek satisfaction or feel valued in this way. This doesn’t necessarily mean the infidelity doesn’t hurt or that you should forgive the act of cheating, but it is something you may wish to keep in mind.
Many people in relationships have varying levels of sexual desire. If those needs are not being met within their relationship, then they may seek sexual satisfaction elsewhere. This does not automatically mean that the person who has been betrayed is in the wrong, however.
Infidelity may be the result of unmet expectations or needs in an otherwise loving relationship. Regardless of the ucranianas vs bielorrusas vs rusas individual factors for unhappiness, it’s a possible reason why someone might cheat. In these situations, the partner feeling neglected can consider initiating a conversation around the topic to address the unresolved issues. If the couple still has an emotional connection, it’s possible they can work together to come up with a plan to have more sex.