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Signs That Your Partner May Be Cheating

Updated: Jul 12

If your partner avoids eye contact, makes unexplained purchases, or spends more time away from home, they may be cheating. Be wary if they guard their phone, have sudden privacy boundaries, or change communication habits.


A lack of intimacy or a sudden increase in sexual intimacy, emotional distance, unexplained disappearances, secretive outings, or avoidance of physical contact with your partner may be warning signs of cheating. Defensive behavior, avoidance tactics, or doubt in explanations may point to cheating.


Pay attention to these signs in your relationship for important clues to your partner's fidelity.


How can I tell if my partner is cheating?


Sudden Change in Behavior

It's important to notice signs that might suggest infidelity. These signs can include avoiding eye contact, making unexplained purchases, spending more time away from home, changing grooming habits, and having unexplained mood swings. If your partner often avoids eye contact or looks away quickly, it might indicate they feel guilty or are hiding something.


Hidden Finances

Unexplained purchases, especially if they're frequent and secretive, may indicate that your partner is hiding something from you. While unexplained credit card purchases or hidden bank or credit card accounts may not prove your partner is having an affair, they certainly raise concerns about their willingness to be open in your relationship. Passwords that aren’t available to you may also be a sign.


Changes in Grooming or Interests

Increased time away from home without a clear reason or vague explanations for their whereabouts could be a red flag. A sudden change in grooming habits, such as dressing differently or paying more attention to their appearance, might also indicate trying to impress someone else. This is often paired with a sense of defensiveness when questions about these sudden changes in behavioral patterns.


Increased Secrecy About Their Phone

When your partner becomes increasingly secretive about their cell phone, it may indicate potential red flags in your relationship. Changes in phone habits, such as guarding it closely, always keeping it face down, or swiftly hiding the screen when you approach, can signal a shift in their behavior. 


Not surprisingly, trust issues may arise as you start to feel excluded from their digital world, impacting their transparency. Additionally, communication patterns may also change. 


Some examples might include fewer messages or calls when you are together, indicating a shift in priorities.


Why do I feel like my partner is cheating?

Suspicious Behavior and Signs of Increased Cell Phone Secrecy

Guarding phone closely

Hiding screen when approached

Rigid privacy boundaries

Unexplained Disappearances or Time Gaps

If your partner frequently disappears without explanation or there are unaccounted time gaps in their schedule, it could indicate cheating. Unexplained absences, sudden disappearances, and mysterious outings could indicate secretive behavior. 

Time gaps, unaccounted hours, and secret rendezvous might suggest that your partner is engaging in activities they don't want you to know about. Look out for strange alibis, conflicting stories, discreet meetings, and hidden activities, as these could be signs of deceit.


When you notice your partner being evasive about their whereabouts or offering vague explanations for their time away, addressing these red flags is essential. They might brush off your concerns or provide unconvincing reasons for their mysterious disappearances. Pay attention to any behavior patterns, such as frequent unexplained absences or a sudden increase in time gaps in their daily routine. 


If you suspect something is amiss, it may be time to have an honest conversation with your partner about your worries.


Lack of Intimacy or Affection

Noticing a lack of intimacy or affection in your relationship can signal underlying issues that need attention. Emotional distance may become evident as your partner seems distant or disengaged. This emotional disconnect can manifest through a lack of communication, where conversations become shallow or infrequent.


Unexplained absences or vague explanations for time away from home could indicate a breach of trust. Additionally, if your partner shows disinterest in shared activities that were once enjoyable for both of you, it might signify a shift in priorities or interests.


Another red flag is avoiding physical contact. It could signify emotional detachment if your partner recoils from hugs, kisses, or other physical affection. While these signs don't definitively prove infidelity, they indicate potential problems in the relationship that require open and honest communication to address.


Defensive or Overly Accusatory Behavior

When a partner often reacts defensively or accuses you excessively, it may suggest they feel guilty or insecure. This kind of behavior, especially if it happens regularly at the mention of infidelity, points to possible underlying problems in the relationship.


Here are some key behaviors to look out for:

Signs

Explanation

Avoidance tactics

Your partner avoids conversations about fidelity or becomes elusive when questioned.

Trust issues

Constantly questioning your actions or whereabouts, showing a lack of trust.

Communication breakdown

Difficulty in having open and honest discussions about the relationship.

Doubtful explanations

Providing vague or inconsistent explanations for their actions or whereabouts.

Emotional distance

Seeming emotionally distant or disconnected from you and the relationship.

If you notice a combination of these behaviors in your partner, it may be time to address your concerns and seek clarity in the relationship. Clear communication can also help both parties eliminate ambiguity concerning “cheating” or unacceptable behavior.


It is important to be aware of the subtle signs that your partner may be cheating to address any potential issues in the relationship. Signs such as emotional disconnect, unexplained absences, disinterest in shared activities, avoiding physical contact, and defensive or overly accusatory behavior can all be red flags.


Communication is key in addressing these concerns and seeking clarity in the relationship. If you suspect infidelity, it may be beneficial to consider a licensed therapist who specializes in working with couples to help navigate through these challenges and rebuild trust. 


Remember, it is always important to prioritize open and honest communication in any committed relationship.


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