Discovering that your partner has been unfaithful is one of the most painful experiences one can go through. It can shake the foundations of a relationship, unravel trust, and cause long-term emotional damage.

While no one goes into a relationship thinking that their partner will cheat, the reality is that cheating does happen. In this article, we will discuss the signs of infidelity to look out for so that you can catch your partner before it is too late.

1. They become secretive

One of the most telling signs that your partner may be cheating is when they become unusually secretive with their phone, emails, and social media.

If your partner typically keeps their phone unlocked and readily accessible and suddenly starts keeping it on silent or password-protected, it may be a cause for concern. Similarly, if you notice that your significant other is being overly protective of their inbox or social media accounts, you may want to investigate further.

2. They become emotionally distant

When someone is in a committed relationship, they expect to share both their good and bad moments with their partner. If you find that your partner is becoming emotionally distant or emotionally unavailable, it may be a sign that they are cheating.

When someone is guilty of infidelity, they often become distant as they try to distance themselves emotionally from their partner.

3. They have more business trips than usual

If your partner has been suddenly given more business trips than usual, you may want to raise a brow. While work trips are an important part of many jobs, it is also an excuse that many cheaters use to cover up their infidelity.

4. They are always too busy for you

Being too busy to spend time with your partner is one of the most common excuses given by cheaters. If your partner is always too busy to spend time with you or cancels plans last minute, it may be a sign that they are cheating.

5. Their sex drive has changed

When someone is having an affair, their sex drive can change in one of two ways, either they become more sexually active or they become less interested in sex altogether.

If your sexual habits have also changed with your partner, it may be a sign that they are cheating.

6. They are defensive

If you confront your partner about their behavior, and they become overly defensive, it could be a sign that they are hiding something. Defensiveness is often a defense mechanism that people use when they feel cornered.

7. They have a new group of friends

If your partner suddenly has a new group of friends that they are spending time with, and you are not invited, it may be a sign that they are cheating. Cheaters often surround themselves with a new group of friends who will not question their behavior.

8. They are more critical of you

When someone is trying to justify their behavior, they will often become more critical of their partner.

If your partner is suddenly more critical of you, and it is unwarranted, it may be a sign that they are cheating and trying to justify their behavior by blaming you.

Related Article Identifying the Indications of Infidelity: How to Know If Your Partner is Cheating

9. They have changed their appearance

If your partner has suddenly started taking more care of their appearance, it may be a sign that they are cheating. Cheaters often become more conscious of their appearance as they try to attract a new partner.

10. They are suddenly more attentive

If your partner is suddenly more attentive than usual, they may be trying to make up for their infidelity. Cheaters often try to make up for their guilt by overcompensating their partner with sudden acts of affection.

11. They are always on their phone

When someone is cheating, they will often be on their phone more frequently than usual. If your partner is always on their phone, it may be a sign that they are talking to someone else.

12. They have unexplained absences

If your partner is suddenly unavailable at certain times of the day and cannot explain where they were, it may be a sign that they are cheating. Cheaters often have unexplained absences as they try to create time to be with their lover.

13. They hide financial information from you

Financial infidelity is also a type of infidelity, and it can be a sign that your partner is cheating. If your partner suddenly starts hiding financial information such as credit card statements or receipts, it may be a sign that they are cheating.

14. They become distant from your family and friends

If your partner starts to distance themselves from your family and friends, it may be a sign that they are cheating. Cheaters will often distance themselves from friends and family as they try to cover up their affair and avoid getting caught.

15. They accuse you of cheating

If your partner is accusing you of cheating, it may be a sign that they are cheating. Cheaters will often accuse their partner of cheating as a way to shift the blame and draw attention away from their own guilt.

16. They don’t let you near their phone

If your partner is suddenly very protective of their phone and won’t let you near it, it may be a sign that they are cheating.

Cheaters often try to protect their phone because it is where they communicate with their lover and store evidence of their infidelity.

17. They have sudden mood swings

When someone is cheating, they often experience sudden mood swings due to the emotional turmoil that they are experiencing. If your partner is displaying erratic behavior, it may be a sign that they are cheating.

18. They stop talking about the future

If your partner suddenly stops talking about the future with you, it may be a sign that they are cheating. Cheaters often stop talking about the future because they are unsure about their future with their partner.

19. They start fighting over small things

If your partner is suddenly picking fights over small things, it may be a sign that they are cheating. Cheaters often pick fights as a way to distance themselves further from their partner and justify their infidelity.

Conclusion

While any one of these signs may not necessarily mean that your partner is cheating, they should definitely be cause for concern.

Infidelity is never an easy thing to deal with, but it is important to keep an open mind and pay attention to your partner’s behavior. If you have suspicions that your partner is cheating, it is important to confront them and seek professional help if needed.