Q&A for How to Tell if Your Wife Is Cheating

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How long does it take to rebuild trust after cheating?
    Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
    Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
    Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.
    Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
    Expert Answer
    It takes a lot of time! Once trust is lost in a relationship, it's very difficult to get back. It really boils down to the person who broke the trust actively working and making an effort to regain that trust with their partner.
  • Question
    How can trust be repaired after cheating?
    Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
    Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
    Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.
    Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
    Expert Answer
    Therapy can help! A third person mediating the conversation can be a big help. Besides finding out the truth and getting answers, therapy can potentially help recreate the friendship and intimacy you once had in the relationship.
  • Question
    If I find another man's clothes in my house, is that a sign that my wife is cheating on me?
    Community Answer
    If the clothes don't belong to your or anyone that lives in your house, then how would they have gotten there? Do you have children? Ask them if they know whose clothes they are. If it's only you and your wife living together, then chances are she knows who they belong to.
  • Question
    How can I talk to my wife about cheating?
    Community Answer
    The topic of cheating is difficult for everyone to address, but if you think your wife is cheating, you have to talk about it. Be direct. Don't candy coat anything, but don't be aggressive. Be prepared for whatever response she gives.
  • Question
    My wife turns her phone off when I am home. Should I be worried?
    Community Answer
    This could be a simple act of wanting to spend more time with you uninterrupted. Or she could be hiding something. Try to pick up on other signs that could indicate something is going on. If there are none, you probably shouldn't worry.
  • Question
    What should I do if my wife won't let me see her phone?
    Community Answer
    If your wife suddenly isn't allowing you to see her phone, it should be addressed. Express your concerns with her and tell her how it makes you feel when she does it. Ask why she feels the secrecy is necessary, and let her know it is creating suspicion and mistrust in your marriage.
  • Question
    How can I get my wife to kiss me?
    Community Answer
    Try kissing her yourself. Ask her if there is a reason why she doesn't want to kiss you, and if there is anything you could do. Some people aren't that comfortable with physical affection. Others become less attracted to their spouse over the course of marriage.
  • Question
    My wife goes out almost every night and I don't tell the kids. Is she cheating?
    Community Answer
    Ask your wife where she is going and what she is doing - not in an accusatory or controlling way, just say you're wondering what's been going on. Ask if she would be willing to switch it up sometimes so you could go out with your friends while she stays home - see how she reacts. To have a successful relationship, there needs to be trust and honesty, and you both need to be fair and considerate toward each other.
  • Question
    What if my wife accuses me of seeing someone else only to hide her guilt?
    Community Answer
    This is a red flag in every way. Even if she is not cheating, she clearly does not trust you and this will drive her to behavior she would not consider squaring with her own set of values. Put another way, if she suspects you are cheating, her focus is no longer on her moral conduct, but yours. This leaves her vulnerable to advances by other men, and vulnerable to acting on the natural interest we all have in members of the opposite sex that we would never dream of acting on.
  • Question
    Is my wife not having sex with me a sign?
    Community Answer
    If it's unusual for her and there's no other apparent reason, maybe. But there could be other reasons, like hormonal reasons, tiredness, or not being that attracted to you anymore (which doesn't necessarily entail cheating). You should try talking with her about it.
  • Question
    Is it better to know the details of a cheating spouse?
    Community Answer
    If you're ready for your discovery, whether its a good or bad outcome, then yes. But if you haven't decided what to do once you find out the truth, then you may need some more time, and may not want to know the truth yet. Once you do find out that your spouse is cheating, make sure you're healthy and financially secure enough to leave your spouse, or that you are able to try to fix and improve your relationship. If, however, you find out that your spouse is not cheating, then you will need to question yourself as to why you suspected your spouse in the first place.
  • Question
    If a woman wants time to herself, does that mean she is having an affair?
    Community Answer
    No. There comes a time, or many at that, when someone wants to have time to themselves. When work gets hectic, home life becomes busy, if you have children or even just live together, you can sometimes feel suffocated. Someone asking for time to themselves isn't a sure sign of having an affair.
  • Question
    Are there any physical signs of someone cheating?
    Community Answer
    There isn't really a way of exactly knowing unless you confront them with a open and honest discussion about the relationship. If you have a gut feeling they are and they've changed in the ways of hiding their phone, passwords on phones, computers, not sleeping in the same bed or sex has become different, then maybe something is going on. Try to sit down and have a talk with them and express your concerns. Never accuse without proof.
  • Question
    My wife had three operations, two of them after our marriage. After that, we had no intercourse. Could this mean she's cheating?
    Community Answer
    Clearly, your wife has some medical issues, which may mean she simply feels too bad to have intercourse. Medications can also sometimes affect hormones and sex drive. Not sure why you're jumping to the thought of cheating in such a scenario. Try to be supportive, and consider seeing a marriage counselor if you feel your marriage is in trouble.
  • Question
    I found out my wife used to cheat on me, and she's still talking about the old days with him. Should I let her know I found out, or should I leave it until she has an affair with him again?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    If you're upset enough about this that you go online asking for answers, you're also upset enough to ask her directly. Let her know how you feel, make a new start. If this is just an idea in her head right now, but she realizes how much this already hurts you, she might change her behavior. In other words, you talking about this now might change the course of future events.
  • Question
    What if she goes out one day wearing a lot of makeup?
    Community Answer
    It could just be that she is going out somewhere, like a party or club. Ask her where is she going, and you might just get one of the signs listed above.
  • Question
    My wife leaves in middle of the night saying she's going to parents' place, but does not appear there when I go to check on her and she hasn't gone home. Is this potentially a sign of cheating?
    Community Answer
    How could you not find that suspicious? Did she give you a reason WHY she suddenly needed to go to her parents? Is one of them sick? Did you offer to go with her? I'd say her action is definitely a potential sign of cheating. Did you tell her you went by her parents' house and she wasn't there? Talk to her about your concerns.
  • Question
    My wife is always getting angry at me for no reason and always telling me she needs a man to give her more love, sleep with her more and give her more affection. I try to do this, but she's still unhappy. What do I do?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    You need to stand up and be a strong man. Tell her firmly that you expect her to change this behavior of always being angry for no reason. Don't be macho, certainly don't apply psychological let alone physical abuse. But you need to be stronger in her eyes. If she wants more sex, may she come and get it from you. Make her work for it. At the same time, think of something really nice and romantic for her. Like a date in the same place where you first met.
  • Question
    How can I know that my wife loves me and does not cheat on me?
    Community Answer
    Since you're here asking, clearly you don't trust her. As such, you need to decide what reasons lead you to feel this way. Ask her about whatever it is that is concerning you. Beating around the bush wastes everyone's time. Many women marry people they don't love. Learn what she likes and give her lots. Women like surprises so treat her to your personal massage with wine and concentrate on only her.
  • Question
    Should I be worried if my wife bought her favorite cologne, lied about it, and had it shipped somewhere else?
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately, hiding things and, once confronted, denying they exist is an indication of cheating or, at least, sneakiness and deceit.
  • Question
    Is my wife cheating if I saw her sitting very close to another man on a bench, but she told me that she hadn't done anything?
    Community Answer
    It's not much to go on! What other things lead you to think she might be cheating? It is quite normal for women to talk to other men without having an affair with them. Were there other people squishing them together on the bench? Was she having a work talk? Was she just catching up with an old friend? Goodness, there are so many possibilities, address the least suspicious first!
  • Question
    I know my wife is lying about where she goes and what she is doing. How do I get her to talk to me and tell me the truth?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Be honest with her. Say "Look, I know you're lying. I'm feeling really bad, I want to have clarity, work out any issues and see where we stand." Prepare yourself for a rough road, though, and don't think you know everything that's coming.
  • Question
    How can I tell if my wife is cheating from a phone?
    Sarah Cambell
    Community Answer
    My spouse got really secretive with gadgets and I needed to know what he was hiding so I got introduced to one of the best hackers in the game: cyberphoneways@gmail.com. He helped me get into his gadgets without him knowing, which gained me enough evidence for a divorce. Maybe something like this could help.
  • Question
    What can cause my wife to have suddenly stopped wearing panties to work?
    Community Answer
    There are some conditions women deal with that wearing panties can exacerbate. Hot days can also cause women to do this. Or, possibly, she is tired of them getting in the way when she is having private meetings with her boss/co-worker.
  • Question
    What if my wife stays on the phone late at night when I'm asleep?
    Community Answer
    Even if it does sound a lot like a cheating sign, she's probably just making some new friends on Facebook or looking at good recipes online. However,if you think she's been up to something suspicious, ask her outright. Why play games?
  • Question
    What should I do if my spouse gets mad at me for accusing them of cheating?
    Community Answer
    You shouldn't be accusing your spouse of anything without proof -- that's a quick way to make them angry, resentful, and uncooperative. If you're worried that your spouse is cheating, approach them calmly and ask them to explain some of the concerning behaviors you've noticed that have given you this idea. Be open to the possibility that you're wrong about your accusations.
  • Question
    I suspect my wife is cheating. She has now blocked me on social media, won't accept my phone calls or texts, and has been on a number of social trips with a group. Could this be a bad sign?
    Community Answer
    She might be "cheating" if you can call it that, but I'd say your relationship is definitely over. If a person has blocked you on social media and refuses to take your calls, they do not want to speak to you again. She wants a divorce.
  • Question
    What does it mean if my wife continues to lie even after being caught?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    There's this psychological process where we project our actions onto the shortcomings of others so we don't have to face that we're making a mistake. "I know I'm cheating and I shouldn't be having sex, but my husband never washes the dishes so he's a bad husband and so I'm allowed to cheat." When you catch her, it forces her to face that it is indeed her fault, which we humans will try to avoid at all costs, bending ourselves into the most impossible situations just to avoid having to accept the blame.
  • Question
    Is it good to go through her phone or Whatsapp?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    No. This is a violation of her privacy. In most countries, this is even against the law. It breaks her trust. If she is cheating, don't give her anything to counter it with. In a simplistic representation, let's say the score between you is now 50-52. Her cheating costs her ten points, making it 50-42, but your checking her phone also costs you five points. I mean, she would use it to reduce her own wrongdoing. Instead, focus on her, on happy times, on trust. Go on an adventure, have long talks and long walks.
  • Question
    If my wife was going on a lunch with work colleagues. She told me about one female one male, but did not tell me about one more man going until I looked at her phone. Should I be concerned as to why?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    No. There is absolutely no reason to be concerned. It's just a work lunch. People could have joined at the last moment, and nobody tells about every little detail of their day. However, there is something to be worried about: by going through her phone, you are violating her trust, being too jealous and too suspicious, showing her that she may have been wrong about you. This lack of trust in her is often one of the very first and strongest reasons why relationships deteriorate. Don't go through her phone. However, every feeling you have needs to be addressed in an honest conversation. Talk to the woman you love.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article