Ten Signs that Your Spouse may be Cheating

by Kristyn Crow | More from this Blogger

31 May 2006 08:36 AM

So you think your spouse might be cheating on you? The very fact that you are suspicious is a good indication that something sinister may be going on. That's because we all have intuition. Whether you call it a "sixth sense," "warning bells," or "red flags," trust that inner voice. Unless you are generally a suspicious person and have a history of being overly possessive and accusing, your fears are probably justified.

I have personal experience with this, which explains this guest-blog. The multiple infidelities in my first marriage turned me into a housewife-by-day, detective-by-night. I got really good at sniffing out clues, tracking, and checking alibis. However, it was my own gut instinct that never failed me. Whenever I had a hunch something was wrong, in every case, it was.

Using my own firsthand sleuthing skills, and some good research, I've come up with ten telltale signs of a cheating spouse. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. And no one example by itself is proof there's a problem. But if you are seeing several of these "symptoms," along with your own nagging concerns, it may be a very good indication that your spouse has gone wayward:

1. Missing in action. Suddenly your husband or wife is gone a lot more often. "Sorry, I've got to work late again, dear." There may be excuses, but they don't always have a ring of truth. The time away seems excessive, and unusual. Logistically, your spouse can't be unfaithful while s/he's with you at home. The more time away, the greater the opportunity.

2. "Mirror, mirror on the wall." Your spouse becomes preoccupied with his/her appearance. I think this symptom is a very big indicator. Remember how you acted when you first met and dated your spouse? You spiffed up, got some new clothes, went to the gym, and got a tan. You'll see these behaviors in an unfaithful spouse.

3. Your sex life changes. It might dwindle to nearly nothing, where all the excitement in the bedroom is gone, and you can't get your spouse interested. You're hearing "I'm too tired," or "I've got a headache" night after night. You feel rejected and abandoned. Or, your spouse starts wanting to do strange things in the bedroom that make you uncomfortable.

4. Emotional withdrawal. Your spouse doesn't speak to you about personal feelings. The communication between the two of you is very shallow--just business talk and stuff about the kids. Not only that, but your spouse seems aloof, detached, and even irritable. He might pick fights for no apparent reason. Or she doesn't care about family vacations, fixing up the house, or other domestic responsibilities.

5. Invasion of the "friendship" snatcher. Your spouse spends time alone with someone of the opposite sex, who is referred to as a "good friend." This "good friend" seems inappropriate to you, and you've got a funny vibe about the person. But your spouse is extremely defensive of the friendship, even insulting you for suggesting something isn't right. While their friendship seems strong, you and your spouse are less friendly.

6. Telephone signals. You're getting occasional hang-up calls where the caller ID is blocked. You haven't seen your spouse's cell phone bills, because they're sent to the office or quickly snatched up. If you do see the bill, there is one number (or several) that are repeated numerous times at odd hours. According to private investigators, cell phone bills are the number one way to catch a cheating spouse.

7. Dishonesty. You've caught your spouse in a lie, or several, about his whereabouts or activities. Or, something he's told you doesn't make sense, but you can't quite pinpoint why. I remember writing some notes to myself about my spouse on a pad of paper: "What he's saying isn't adding up," I wrote. "I don't think he's being honest with me." He wasn't.

8. Money talks. There is financial tension in the home. He or she is monopolizing the bank accounts and keeping you in the dark. Or, your spouse is antsy about where the money is going and wants more cash for personal use. You may notice that money has disappeared without a reasonable explanation. There may be strange bills, or missing bills. Your spouse seems unusually possessive with money.

9. Road signs. There is unexplained mileage on the car, it's cleaner than usual, and your gas expenses have gone up.

10. Flickering flame. Your spouse makes cryptic statements about being "unsure" of his feelings, eventually leading to the announcement that he (or she) "doesn't love you" anymore, and plans to leave. Although this is not a certain indicator of an affair, in most cases it's rare for a spouse to "jump ship" without another boat waiting down stream. In every case I've known personally, when the spouse announces that his love has flickered out, there's at least of spark of interest in someone else.

I'm really worried my spouse is being unfaithful. What can I do?

• Make an appointment with a marriage counselor right away. Tell your spouse that you realize something has gone very wrong with your relationship, but you love him, and want to save the marriage. Urge him to attend the session with you. If he refuses, attend the session alone and seek advice. You need help navigating this crisis.
• Tell your spouse calmly, "I know what's going on. When are you going to be honest with me? I deserve that." Make him or her sweat the details, wondering how on earth you figured it out.
• As hard as it may seem, don't be an emotional wreck around your spouse. Don't get weepy, sniveling, and don't grovel. Affairs happen because the unfaithful spouse has lost a sense of respect for his/her partner. If you're a basket case, your respectability level goes down several notches further in your spouse's eyes. And what's attractive about a mess?
• Get mysterious. If you and your spouse separate for a time, change your normal routine. Schedule a secret-getaway. Change the announcement on your answering machine. Swap cars with a friend temporarily. Go out and pamper yourself. When you speak to him/her, sound coolly disinterested and eager to get off to your mysterious "plans." It sounds strange, but the more your spouse is curious, the better.
• Try saving your marriage, but prepare yourself for the possibility of starting over. My own marriage counselor told me to repeat this phrase, "One affair: shame on you. Two affairs: shame on me." Marriages can sometimes recover from a one-time affair. But if affairs are repeated, or ongoing, that's abusive. You deserve better, which means freedom from the abuse and a new life.

Please stay tuned-in to the marriage blog for lots of great tips on keeping your marriage alive and well.

Learn more about Kristyn Crow

Kristyn Crow is the mother of seven children, and the author of three children's books. Visit her website at www.kristyncrow.com.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Nicole Humphrey (15757) 31 May 2006 02:18 PM

Great article Kristyn. Unfortunatley it happens to a lot of great people and this article is an excellent way to see. I've been there done that, and most applied.

Possibility_girl (355) 06 Oct 2008 07:07 PM

yes, all true. been there too.

Samual (11722) 07 Oct 2008 06:11 AM

5.People do have friends! 6.Illegal to open another persons post and just shows your paranoid

1. Has happened 2. Always happens 3. None for over two years 5. Has lots of friends of both sexes Not cheating.

I think anyone who cannot handle a relationship themselves and runs to a marriage counsellor, shouldn't be in a relationship at all.

Kristyn Crow (2546) 07 Oct 2008 06:29 AM

I totally disagree. Marriage counseling sessions can be a great way to reconnect, face difficult topics in a safe setting, and hear each other's point of view. A marriage counselor can guide your communication so that it's constructive, rather than destructive, which is important when things start to break down. No marriage is perfect and when times get tough, seeking outside help is not only a good idea, it's vital. I know many couples who have sought counseling and later said it was a very positive experience, and even saved their marriage.

Friends are fine, but "friends" of the opposite sex who monopolize your spouse's time are inappropriate. A real friend doesn't interfere with someone's marriage, and no married person should confide in a friend rather than their spouse.

And there's nothing wrong with looking over a cell phone bill. In fact, private detectives recommend it when you're suspicious something is going on. In most cases, when you have a gut feeling that your spouse is up to no good--you're probably right. That's not paranoia, it's your own instinct. Although, if you check things out and come up with nothing, you might want to explore what else is going on in the relationship that seems off, and why your trust for your spouse has diminished.