How to Stop Accusing My Girlfriend of Cheating

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When you’re dating someone you love, the last thing you want to do is assume they’re cheating on you. But if you feel insecure or scared, you might accuse your GF of cheating, even when you know she’s not. [1] This is nothing to be ashamed about—lots of people go through this, and working through it may be easier than you think. Read through this article to learn why you might be having these feelings and what you can do to stop them.

1

Acknowledge the feelings that you’re having.

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    The first step in changing these feelings is diving deep to figure out why, exactly, you’re feeling this way. Many people accuse their partners of cheating because they’re afraid or they’re insecure, so sit down with yourself and uncover the real reason why you’re feeling this way. [2] [3]
    • It’s less common, but some people do accuse their partners of cheating because they themselves are cheating or almost cheating. If that’s the case, you may want to examine your own actions to make sure you’re being faithful and not crossing any boundaries.
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2

Work through past pain and trauma.

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    If you dated someone in the past who cheated on you or betrayed your trust, it’s only natural that you’d be suspicious of your current girlfriend (even if it’s unwarranted). [4] [5] Try to get out and engage with life, and lean on family and friends for support. [6]
3

Talk to your girlfriend about what’s going on.

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    It’s important to let your girlfriend know that she’s not doing anything wrong, since being accused of cheating all the time can be tough. Sit down and talk to your girlfriend about your emotions, and let her talk, too. [8]
    • You might say something like, “I wanted to let you know that I’m working through some emotions surrounding infidelity. I know that being accused of cheating all the time is hard, and I really am trying my best to stop it.”
    EXPERT TIP

    Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC

    Marriage & Family Therapist
    Moshe Ratson is the Executive Director of spiral2grow Marriage & Family Therapy, a coaching and therapy clinic in New York City. Moshe is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He received his MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College. Moshe is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF).
    Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
    Marriage & Family Therapist

    An honest 1-on-1 can go a long way if you're worried about cheating. Even if there's no infidelity, your fears about cheating might come from underlying insecurities in your relationship. Having an honest conversation with your partner can really help if that's a concern for you.

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4

Address any underlying issues in your relationship.

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    Sit down and think about your relationship, and try to bring up any issues that are making you upset. If you can work through the problems in your relationship, you’ll both feel much better. [9]
    • Maybe your girlfriend is doing something that makes you feel insecure, like DMing people on social media or chatting with guys when she’s out. Try talking to her about this and addressing the problem so you don’t keep thinking about it over time.
    • Talk to her using “I feel” statements. For instance, you might say, “I sometimes feel worried that you’re talking to other dudes online.” [10]
    • Reader Poll: We asked 281 wikiHow readers and 67% of them said that they’ll suspect a person of being unfaithful if they’re frequently checking their phone or being secretive about communication . [Take Poll] So you’re not alone in this feeling, even if it’s untrue!
5

Assume your partner has good intentions.

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    Any time you start to think, “I wonder if she’s cheating,” remind yourself that she’s coming from a good place. If you can challenge your negative thoughts with something positive, you might be able to catch them before they fester. [11]
    • For example, you might think to yourself, “My girlfriend loves me, and she shows me that every day. She’d never intentionally hurt me.”
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6

Challenge your fear-based thinking.

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    It’s normal to be worried about infidelity sometimes, but it’s important not to let those thoughts affect your life. If you start to have thoughts like, “If my girlfriend goes out tonight, she’s going to cheat on me,” challenge them with something like, “Is it helpful to think this way?” or, “What evidence do I have to support this thought?” [12]
    • It can take some time for these challenges to actually stick. The more you can call attention to your fear-based thoughts, the easier it will be to change them over time.
7

Accept what you can’t control.

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    Try to let go of that control—if you can, you’ll feel much less anxiety about the whole situation. The only thing you can control is you and your actions, so focus on that instead. [13]
    • You might tell yourself something like, “I can’t change what my girlfriend does. I can, however, change how I react to it and how I feel about it.”
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8

Build up your own self-esteem.

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    Work on building up your self-esteem by listing all of the things that you like about yourself. Then, write down everything you bring to the relationship. Remind yourself of these qualities daily to improve your self-image and build up your confidence. [14]
    • Good things to list include: “I am funny,” “I’m a kind friend,” “I’m a loving partner,” “I care for my friends and family.”
9

Maintain your independence.

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    Keep up with your friends, engage in your hobbies, and dive into your career. The more independence you can maintain, the less worried you’ll be about your relationship. [15]
    • When you’re so involved with your relationship, it can feel like your girlfriend cheating would be the end of the world. While it would definitely be tough, if you can maintain your independence, you might feel a little better about your chances of making it on your own (if you had to).
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10

Keep communicating with your girlfriend.

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    Ask her how she’s feeling, what she’s noticed with you, and if she’s seen you improve at all. Check in with her often to keep the line of communication open, and don’t be afraid to talk about anything tough you’re going through. [16]
    • You could ask her things like, “Do you feel secure in our relationship?” and, “How do you feel like I’m doing?”
11

Reduce outside stress.

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    Do stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, and spa days, and try to keep a good work-life balance. The more you can remain calm for the rest of your life, the better you’ll be able to work through your insecurities. [17]
    • You could also try taking a nature walk, exercising, or listening to soothing music.
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      References

      1. ↑ Vernita Marsh, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Consultant, & Speaker. Expert Interview. 7 April 2022.
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5380380/
      3. ↑ Vernita Marsh, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Consultant, & Speaker. Expert Interview. 7 April 2022.
      4. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/healing-the-wounds-of-betrayal#1
      5. ↑ Vernita Marsh, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Consultant, & Speaker. Expert Interview. 7 April 2022.
      6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201512/the-3-most-common-causes-insecurity-and-how-beat-them
      7. ↑ Vernita Marsh, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Consultant, & Speaker. Expert Interview. 7 April 2022.
      8. ↑ https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/things-that-crossed-the-line-for-me/
      9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5380380/
      1. ↑ https://www.bumc.bu.edu/facdev-medicine/files/2011/08/I-messages-handout.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.gottman.com/blog/what-to-do-if-you-dont-trust-each-other/
      3. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/imperfect/2018/09/how-to-stop-being-so-controlling-and-accept-uncertainty#How-to-stop-being-so-controlling
      4. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/imperfect/2018/09/how-to-stop-being-so-controlling-and-accept-uncertainty#How-to-stop-being-so-controlling
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201609/four-ways-stop-feeling-insecure-in-your-relationships
      6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201609/four-ways-stop-feeling-insecure-in-your-relationships
      7. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/healthy-ways-to-deal-with-jealousy
      8. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/tips-to-reduce-stress/

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