People can experience strong emotions when they learn that someone close to them has been unfaithful, whether through cheating, lying, or violating their trust in any way. Betrayal may have short-term consequences like anger, sadness, and jealousy, but it also leads to longer term issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and difficulty maintaining interpersonal connections. This paper explores how betrayals of trust impact mental health outcomes related to sex and relationships, drawing from research studies in psychology and social science. It does not explore the causes of these outcomes nor provide advice for coping mechanisms.
Betrayals of trust lead to high levels of distress because they imply an attack on one's personal identity. When people feel betrayed, they may question their self-worth, leading to low self-esteem. Feelings of loss, shame, guilt, and self-blame are common after a sexual betrayal. These feelings contribute to negative mood states such as sadness, depression, and withdrawal. People who are hurt by betrayal may experience anxiety about future relationships, worrying that they will be betrayed again. The fear is especially acute if they remain involved with the person who betrayed them, as they cannot predict what might happen next.
Betrayals of sexual trust can create trauma responses similar to PTSD. Victims of infidelity can exhibit symptoms such as flashbacks to past events, avoidance of reminders of the relationship, and increased hypervigilance to protect themselves against further violations of trust. They may even experience physical changes such as insomnia or difficulty concentrating. Some individuals develop obsessive-compulsive tendencies around intimacy, while others become emotionally numb. Ongoing anxiety and depression often accompany these responses.
Betrayals of sexual trust can have significant effects on mental health outcomes, depending on individual factors such as prior trauma history and coping skills. It is important to recognize when someone needs support for managing their emotional reactions to betrayal and seek professional help if necessary. With time and effort, people can learn to heal from the pain caused by betrayal and build new, more trusting relationships based on honesty and respect.
How do betrayals of sexual trust impact mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD?
Betrayal of sexual trust can have significant negative effects on an individual's mental health. Individuals who experience betrayals of sexual trust may experience feelings of distrust, fear, anger, shame, guilt, and low self-esteem, which can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).