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If there is one front-and-forward excuse for infidelity it is: " I fell out of love."
This usually means: I no longer feel sexually attracted to you (I'm
sexually attracted to someone else, for now, at least.) Or, I need to
spice my life with giddy emotional highs and intrigue every so often.
Infidelity has different faces...and different signs and patterns.
Did you know there are 7 different kinds of affairs? Well, there may be
more, but after a couple decades of clinical work and research, I've
identified 7.
And, if you look carefully, you will find that each form of infidelity
carries different signs and markers. Know those specific signs of
infidelity and you can save yourself much grief.
One kind of affair I write about in my E-book is called, "I Fell out of Love...and just love being in love."
Here are some signs and patterns you can expect in this kind of affair:
1. Hang on to your seat. This may be some ride, much like a thrill ride
at an amusement park. There will likely be many ups and downs, spiced
with dramatic flair. Watching your spouse go through his gyrations may
leave you somewhat dizzy. He will give his all to this new-found "love"
and at other times might find his way back to you.
2. Typically you will struggle with being ignored and feeling rather
awful that you can't provide the "love" this other person seems to
provide. You might find yourself questioning your capacity to "love"
and your desirability. His affections will obviously be centered on
that other person.
3. He may want to tell you about this other person. Not only might he
want you to know about the other person he may desire to share with you
some of the details of this relationship. He might want you involved.
This creates an intense triangle that juices the drama. (Most classical
love stories are dramas, complete with a triangle; he "falls in love"
with the forbidden or unattainable princess. Often the drama ends as a
tragedy - Romeo and Juliet.)
4. Expect some juvenile behavior such as love letters (e-mail), special
names, special promises, secrets only for the two of them, etc. Some of
these affair relationships are the result of unfinished business from
adolescence. Perhaps he was responsible for family or beset by some
trauma or internally or externally imposed injunctions that precluded
him from dating, socializing with the opposite sex, and "falling in and
out of love" a number of times, which is so important and vital for
adolescent development.
5. You may hear the persistent phrase, "I love you, but I'm not in love
with you." He may truly "like you" and depend on your stability,
goodness and understanding. The thought of losing that may keep him
connected with you. His fear of losing that which is stable and
enduring may conflict with his need to follow his feelings. As well,
the possibility of loss may point to the internal emptiness that stirs
up very uncomfortable feelings and thoughts. This is part of the roller
coaster ride.
6. He may feel very badly about his "inability" to love you and his
"inability" not to love the other person. He may express great remorse
for the dilemma. He may profess deep sadness for "hurting" you - but,
as you know, he has no control. His feelings drive him. His "concern"
for you indicates his superficial understanding of relationships. Or,
his "concern" for you may be a manipulative attempt to find an easier
exit from the marriage.
7. Expect his feelings for the other person to fade. They will fade
quickly if this is a pure "I've fallen out of love (and just love being
in love)" affair. The "romance" of adolescent love affairs start
quickly and end as abruptly. If, however, other issues come into play,
such as, resentment and/or the inability to say no, you have a more
complicated situation that takes longer to resolve.
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Dr. Robert Huizenga, The Infidelity Coach, has helped hundreds of
couples over the past two decades heal from the agony of extramarital
affairs and survive infidelity. Visit his website at: http://www.break-free-from-the-affair.com
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