How False Accusations in a Relationship Impact Your Mental Health

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Learn the emotional effects of false accusations on relationships
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Healthy relationships are built on trust. When a partner falsely accuses the other of bad behavior, that trust can be shaken, causing major psychological effects on the accused. But what are those effects, and how do you know if they’re happening to you? If you’re asking yourself these questions, we’re here to help. This guide outlines the most common psychological effects of false accusations in relationships. Read on to learn what these effects are, why they occur, and how to respond if a partner makes false accusations against you.

Things You Should Know

  • Psychological effects of false accusations include depression, anxiety, avoidance, and feelings of isolation and resentment towards your partner.
  • A partner may falsely accuse you of something if they are struggling with insecurity, low self-esteem, trauma, and mental health issues.
  • Respond to false accusations with calm, firm denial. Be sensitive to your partner’s feelings when appropriate, and consider seeing a couple’s therapist.
Section 1 of 3:

Effects of Being Falsely Accused by a Partner

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  1. You’re outraged and frustrated that they don’t believe you. You might become defensive and guarded around them, especially if they prod you with questions about whatever they think you did. The anger might cause you to argue and bicker with each other, or avoid each other for long stretches of time. [1]
    • For example, if your partner accuses you of spending too much money behind their back, you might get frustrated and defensive whenever they ask about your spending habits.
  2. Being subjected to false accusations can be devastating for your self-esteem. You might question your self-worth or regret that your relationship has taken such a dark turn. You might also feel powerless and unable to change your partner’s mind. [2]
    • If you’re depressed, you may experience other symptoms like changes in appetite and poor sleep.
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  3. You constantly worry that they’ll accuse you of something you didn’t do. You find it hard to relax around them, especially when they’re angry or upset. The anxiety can make it hard to work, sleep, or go about your daily life.
    • You might also feel anxiety when you’re away from your partner, especially if you ruminate on your partner’s accusations.
  4. You’re afraid to be vulnerable around them. You hesitate to express your feelings—especially negative emotions—for fear that they’ll misconstrue your words. You start to imagine scenarios with new accusations, and you’re constantly on edge for another fight. [3]
    • You might even question your partner’s integrity. For instance, if they falsely accuse you of cheating, you might become convinced that they’ve been unfaithful to you.
  5. You hesitate to speak up for yourself to prevent conflict. You’re afraid your partner will become angry if you defend yourself. You worry that your words will be used against you. To avoid arguments, you often opt to stay quiet. [4]
    • Being unable to speak up for yourself can leave you feeling isolated and depressed, especially if your emotional needs go unmet.
  6. You feel deeply bitter towards your partner. You know you deserve to be treated better, but you worry your partner can’t be reasoned with. Over time, your sadness and frustration become overwhelming. You may still love your partner, but sometimes that love is eclipsed by anger. [5]
    • Your resentment may boil over into arguments. Or you may spend days or weeks hardly talking to each other.
  7. Their accusations make you question your sense of reality. You might ask yourself, “Am I remembering things wrong? What if I did do the thing they’re accusing me of?” You feel confused and torn. You’re certain your partner is wrong, but their confidence and intensity are making you doubt yourself. [6]
    • Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse in which someone makes you feel like you’re going “crazy.” They may accuse you of lying, doing things you didn’t do, remembering things incorrectly, or being too “sensitive” when you get upset.
    • If your partner is deliberately accusing you of something you didn’t do, they may be gaslighting you.
  8. You’ve started to pull away from the relationship. You might spend less time with your partner or text them less often. You might be less physically or emotionally intimate with them. Privately, you might think about breaking up with them, or putting your relationship on pause. [7]
    • If both of you begin withdrawing, you may feel like your relationship is falling apart, especially if one or both of you have expressed your doubts to each other out loud.
  9. You sometimes worry for your safety, or your family’s. Your partner may intimidate you by yelling, throwing objects, or threatening you. They may have acted violently towards you or others in the past. You fear that they might physically harm you, your children, or someone else in your household. [8]
    • Your partner may also invade your privacy by looking through your phone or refusing to let you leave the house alone.
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Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: Am I Being Gaslighted?

Do you suspect that a partner, relative, friend, or co-worker is gaslighting you? Gaslighting revolves around making someone question their reality and lived experiences and is a type of emotional abuse. Gaslighting can be incredibly confusing, disorienting, and hurtful—and sometimes it’s even hard to know when it’s happening. We’ve made a quiz to help you closely examine your experiences in a clear light, so you can know what next steps to take in your relationship.
1 of 12

How often do they call you “crazy,” “sensitive,” or another hurtful word?

Section 2 of 3:

Why would a partner make false accusations?

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  1. They have low self-esteem and tend to assume the worst in people. In some cases, this could lead them to falsely accuse their partner of lying, cheating, stealing, or some other malicious behavior. Since they have difficulty trusting others, they may refuse to accept their partner’s denials. [9]
    • Insecure people are often “on guard” for signs that others will hurt them. If your partner is emotionally insecure, they may falsely accuse you of having done something hurtful.
  2. They may use false accusations to rationalize their own feelings of distrust, inadequacy, and fear of abandonment. Instead of acknowledging their inner pain, they try to see you as the “bad person” who can’t be trusted. This gives them an excuse to avoid committing to the relationship. [10]
    • A fear of commitment is another sign of low self-esteem and past trauma.
  3. If they’ve cheated, they may accuse you of cheating. If they often lie, they may accuse you of lying to them. Whatever the specifics, they may project their behaviors out of guilt, or to divert attention away from their actions. [11]
    • They may also assume that others behave and think like them. For instance, if your partner has stolen money from you, they may accuse you of stealing out of the assumption that most people steal.
  4. For instance, if your partner has been cheated on in previous relationships, they might assume you’ll cheat on them as well. They may also have an anxious attachment style—meaning that they struggle to trust people due to having been mistreated earlier in life. [12]
    • In rare cases, paranoid or delusional thinking is a symptom of certain mental health disorders. People with these disorders may sincerely believe things that aren’t true. [13]
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Respond to False Accusations in a Relationship

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  1. Offer to show them proof that they’re mistaken, if possible (and if you feel comfortable doing so). For example, if they accuse you of cheating, you could refute their claim by showing them texts and DMs between you and another person. If you don’t have proof, stand your ground and calmly ask what you can do to convince them.
    • Don’t feel obligated to let your partner invade your privacy. In the example above, for instance, you may feel uncomfortable letting them see your private messages.
    • Remember that the burden of proof is on your partner to demonstrate that their accusation is true. If their accusation is based on a suspicion or “hunch,” ask them to show you specific evidence.
  2. Acknowledge any feelings or worries rooted in fact. For instance, if you’ve previously struggled with alcohol abuse and your partner falsely accuses you of drinking, you can say “I understand why you’re worried. You would have a right to be angry if I started drinking again.” [14]
    • Validating their concerns is not the same as “confessing.” Instead, it helps your partner feel listened to, which could make it easier for them to believe you.
  3. Avoid yelling, interrupting, name-calling, and stonewalling each other. Practice active listening by paraphrasing what your partner says before replying, and have your partner do the same. Use “I” statements whenever possible to avoid attacking your partner. For example, instead of saying “You’re too stubborn to listen,” you could say, “I’m upset because you won’t hear me out.”
    • Ask your partner to clarify their accusations and feelings. For instance, if they’ve accused you of being unfaithful, you could ask “Do you mean that I’m cheating? Or do you feel I’ve been emotionally distant lately?”
    • Set healthy rules and boundaries for your conversations. For example, your partner should be allowed to ask questions about your behavior, but not make false accusations.
  4. Avoid discussing the accusations when one or both of you are upset. Set aside a specific block of time to talk things over, and ask to pause the conversation if things get too heated. You could say, “I need a few minutes to think,” or “Can we continue talking about this after dinner?” [15]
    • Give each other permission to speak uninterrupted. This ensures both of you feel heard and understood, and prevents the discussion from escalating into an argument.
  5. Urge them to speak with a therapist to address emotional, physical, or sexual trauma. Encourage them to see a psychiatrist to manage severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or other mental health disorders. [16]
    • Some people—especially men—are hesitant to seek help for mental health issues. If necessary, remind your partner that they deserve to feel better and that there is no shame in seeking treatment.
  6. A skilled couple’s therapist can help you address underlying issues in your relationship, including issues related to trauma, mental health, family dynamics, and substance abuse. They can also help you navigate disagreements and practice good communication. [17]
    • A therapist can also help you confront specific accusations in a safe, supportive environment.
  7. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor, if you’re comfortable doing so. If not, contact a healthcare provider or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline to be connected with resources and people who can assist you. [18]
    • Call 800-799-7233 to reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
    • Call 911 if you’re in danger, or you’re being threatened or stalked.
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    Do they ever know that their accusations are not true?
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    When someone makes a false accusation, they might not consciously be aware of the fact that their accusation is not true. Unreasonable accusations can be a way for some people to express insecurity or frustration when they don't know how to communicate their feelings more realistically.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201912/responding-to-false-accusations-in-intimate
      2. ↑ https://www.womenio.com/31262/psychological-effects-of-false-accusations-in-a-relationship
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201912/responding-to-false-accusations-in-intimate
      4. ↑ https://www.psychvarsity.com/Psychological-Effects-Of-False-Accusations-In-A-Relationship-28-12-2022
      5. ↑ https://www.healthcentral.com/sex-and-relationships/control-anger-frustration-relationship?legacy=psycom
      6. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=2990
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201912/responding-to-false-accusations-in-intimate
      8. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=2990
      9. ↑ https://healthpromotion.gsu.edu/abusive-relationships/
      1. ↑ https://sa1s3.patientpop.com/assets/docs/85477.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/projection
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201912/responding-to-false-accusations-in-intimate
      4. ↑ https://www.mhanational.org/conditions/paranoia-and-delusional-disorders
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201912/responding-to-false-accusations-in-intimate
      6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201406/5-tips-tough-conversations-your-partner
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201912/responding-to-false-accusations-in-intimate
      8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201912/responding-to-false-accusations-in-intimate
      9. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=2990

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