How to Deal With Betrayal & Depression After an Affair
Learning about your spouse has cheated on you has led to a flurry of emotional responses, and all of them are very normal. The shock you felt when you first found out eventually gave way to confusion and sadness, and then it led to anger. However, now, you’re beginning to feel hopeless and even disconnected from the outside world. You’re concerned that what you’re really experiencing is depression, and that thought might scare you.
Depression is a very natural response when you’ve spouse has cheated on you. However, it’s generally not something that’s long-lasting. It’s possible that you’re not really sure if what you’re feeling and experiencing is depression, but there are a few signs you can look for to determine if it is.
SIGNS OF DEPRESSION AFTER YOUR SPOUSE CHEATED ON YOU
Depression is caused by all kinds of things, but it can certainly set in for a period of time if you’ve been cheated on in your marriage. The following are some of the signs you can look for to help you understand if what you’re experiencing is sadness, or depression:
- Changes in your mood – Feeling anxious, hopeless, feelings of apathy, guilt and mood swings
- Changes in your sleeping patterns – Waking up earlier than normal, feeling fatigued all day long, having insomnia or restless sleep
- Changes in your body – Feeling excessively hunger or having no appetite at all, feeling tired, or feeling restless
- Changes in your behavior – Getting agitated easily, crying, feeling irritable or wanting to isolate yourself socially
- Changes in your mind – Finding it difficult to concentrate, responding to other slowly
You may also experience weight gain or weight loss, and that is an indicator of depression as well.
FINDING COMFORT IN GOD
More than anything, God longs for you to turn to Him during this difficult time in your life. His heart is broken because of the hopelessness and despair you may be feeling, and He wants nothing more than to wrap His arms around you and help you to heal. God’s Word is very clear about what He desires for you if you’re feeling depression setting in.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”
Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
All throughout God’s Word, there are promises for you to cling to. God has nothing but good plans for your life, and while He didn’t promise us that there would never be trials for us to endure, He did promise us that He would be with us through them all.
GETTING HELP FROM A PROFESSIONAL
God is just waiting for you to turn to Him. His arms are open for you, but sometimes it requires the help and support of a professional to allow you to work through the thoughts and feelings that are contributing to depression. Talking with a Christian Marriage Coach and is a really good way to learn more about what God’s Word says about your situation, and it can help you work through your pain in ways that will only lead to good things for your life.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, I’d love to hear from you. Please contact me at 843-379-0288, or you can use my convenient online scheduler to make an appointment as well.
Remember, depression is not here to stay. With God’s help, all things are possible; even healing when struggling with depression after your spouse cheated on you.
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