How long does PTSD last after infidelity?

Asked by: Wilma Gaylord  |  Last update: August 24, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (47 votes)

For some, it may be a matter of months, while for others, it can take years to fully heal. This level of stress can affect your mental and physical health, making it important to seek help if the symptoms become overwhelming. This is where a therapist or counselor can make a world of difference.

How to heal from infidelity PTSD?

Heal from cheating PTSD in 5 steps
  1. Acknowledge your feelings. Recognize the impact that the cheating had on you. ...
  2. Seek support. Connect with loved ones. ...
  3. Educate yourself. ...
  4. Practice self-care. ...
  5. Set boundaries.

Can being cheated on give you PTSD?

Post infidelity stress disorder (PISD) is a condition that affects people who have been cheated on by their partner. According to a 2021 study, anywhere between 30% to 60% of people who have been cheated on experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD after discovering their partner's infidelity.

What is the psychosis of infidelity?

Othello syndrome is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusion of infidelity or jealousy; it often occurs in the context of medical, psychiatric or neurological disorders.

Do you ever get over being cheated on?

Trusting again after being cheated on is undoubtedly challenging, but with time, effort, and the right approach, it is entirely possible to find love and trust anew.

7 Effective Strategies for Overcoming Post Infidelity Stress Disorder

36 related questions found

Is once a cheater always a cheater true?

Myth 2: Once a cheater, always a cheater

Just because someone cheated in a past relationship does not mean they'll cheat on you, says Alsaleem. But you should make sure your partner worked on the issues that led them to cheating in the first place, says Alsaleem.

Does the pain of infidelity ever go away?

Although infidelity is emotionally devastating, it is possible to recover and ease your pain over time. However, expect a bumpy ride to peace after such a betrayal. If you're hoping to forget about the infidelity and never think about it again—that's a little less likely.

What mental illness is associated with cheating?

However, if an individual is compulsively cheating in a pattern or series, or is entirely without remorse, then it is important to look at signs of past trauma, possible mental illness (such as narcissistic personality disorder, sex addiction), or perhaps issues of substance use—where a person may be impulsively ...

Is separation good after infidelity?

After the infidelity pain you've endured, a year-long separation is an excellent time to recognize your own feelings and stop worrying about how to handle your partner's issues. After a long relationship with a partner, you need time to heal before having emotional involvement in a new relationship.

What are the 5 stages of cheating?

The five stages of guilt after cheating, which come from the Kübler-Ross 5 stages of grief, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The grieving process is super complex and fluid, so these stages are more to give you a general sense of what you might feel than tell you how it's going to play out.

How long does betrayal trauma last?

Overcoming the pain and heartache from your partner's betrayal can be complicated. Recovering from betrayal trauma is not something you can rush through in a day or two. It takes between eighteen months to three years for most people to fully recover.

How long does PTSD last?

For some, reactions continue and are severe. PTSD symptoms usually appear soon after trauma. For most people, these symptoms go away on their own within the first few weeks and months after the trauma. For some, the symptoms can last for many years, especially if they go untreated.

What does PTSD look like in a woman?

Women with PTSD are more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety and numbing, as well as experience more frequent and intense feelings of guilt and shame.

How long does it take to heal from cheating trauma?

Typically, the process of recovery after infidelity can take anywhere from six months to two years, but it is important to remember that each couple is unique. For some couples, it may take a little shorter or longer to fully recover.

What is post-betrayal syndrome?

People who have experienced betrayal often suffer from symptoms of Post Betrayal Syndrome®(PBS). These symptoms can include anxiety, depression, anger, confusion, and a sense of betrayal trauma that can linger for years if you don't intentionally and deliberately move through the experience.

How do I stop being triggered after infidelity?

5 Ways to Navigate Infidelity Triggers
  1. Recognize That Triggers are Normal and Inevitable. Infidelity is an intense betrayal of trust, and triggers can be overwhelming. ...
  2. Identify Your Triggers Together. ...
  3. Make Certain That You Practice Full Transparency. ...
  4. Practice Self-Care. ...
  5. Support Each Other.

When should you give up after infidelity?

Here are some signs that the relationship isn't worth saving and it's time to leave:
  • Your partner doesn't apologize. ...
  • Your partner won't take accountability or blames others for their actions. ...
  • Your partner continues to see or communicate with their affair partner. ...
  • Someone won't talk about the infidelity.

What does God want me to do if my husband cheated?

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph 4:31-32) To bring the wrong up again and again is unhelpful. When the hurt has been shared with the spouse, forgiveness has taken place, it is key to concentrate on the positive instead of the negative.

How much space to give someone after cheating?

Allow them time to process in whatever way is most helpful to them. This may include giving them days or weeks to think about what you've said. Your significant other may have very personal questions about the nature of your relationship with the other person.

How to get over trauma of being cheated on?

“Infidelity PTSD can be difficult to overcome but there are ways to move forward. Focusing on yourself and what you need is important. Establishing healthy boundaries and exploring your feelings will help you to identify better ways to cope and feel more in control. Remember to take things one day at a time.”

What personality disorder is most likely to cheat?

A drive toward grandiosity and a need for admiration are examples of traits that can contribute to narcissist cheating patterns in relationships. Narcissism is both a personality trait and the key feature of a mental health condition known as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

Is it wrong to stay with someone who cheated?

Only you can decide if you should stay or leave if your partner has cheated on you. Cheating doesn't have to mean the end of the relationship, particularly if it was truly a one-time thing and your partner is genuinely regretful and remorseful.

How long do triggers last after infidelity?

How long infidelity triggers last will vary from person to person. For some, it may only take months. For others, it may take 2 or even 10 years after the infidelity to recover.

How does being cheated on change you?

People who experience infidelity often struggle with feelings of abandonment, rejection, deceit, and humiliation, which can profoundly impact their mental health.

How do I stop obsessing over infidelity?

15 Ways to Stop Overthinking After Being Cheated On
  1. Find Out Why You're Overthinking. Thinking seriously about why you're overthinking is important. ...
  2. Lean On Social Support. ...
  3. Work on Trust Issues. ...
  4. Practice Mindfulness. ...
  5. Try a New Environment. ...
  6. Acceptance. ...
  7. Work on Yourself. ...
  8. Positive Self-Talk.