Can being cheated on cause mental illness?

Like any upsetting experience, being cheated on can lead to an occurrence or recurrence of mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety. Some experts believe that being cheated on can constitute a form of “betrayal trauma,” leading to PTSD-like symptoms. Those who have prior experience with trauma and betrayal may be especially vulnerable to such reactions.

The pain of cheating often feels insurmountable. Regardless of whether you have a diagnosis, speaking with a counselor who can tools for coping can help. 


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