Being cheated on might be one of the worst experiences you can go through in your life.
People may often be blindsided by their significant other, or perhaps they're trying to determine if their new partner could be a cheater after exhibiting weird behaviour - either way, there are six telling signs that will reveal if they're faithful or not.
It may not be their first time cheating and often, missing out on all the signs and discovering it isn't their first time, can add on to the horrible feeling.
Someone who has a history of being unfaithful is known as a serial cheater, and they may cheat physically and/or emotionally.
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Whether it be with multiple other partners, or numerous times with the same one, serial cheating basically means it has happened more than once.
Now, you may be looking for ways to avoid someone like this, and, luckily, certified psychologist Dr. Edward Ratush has come to the rescue with six ways to tell if your partner is a serial cheater.
He prefaces this by explaining that serial cheating is a 'behavioural form of communicating', perhaps recreating past trauma, avoiding emotional intimacy or revealing underlying feelings.
Serial liars
Dr. Ratush explains: "Cheaters lie to their partners about their intimacy priorities, hiding the fact that sexual novelty and/or sexual compulsivity are at the root of their decision tree."
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If you catch them in the act of a lie, or notice that they are lying about key things such as intimacy, it may be sign of things to come.
History of cheating
It may be one of the most obvious ones, but if they have cheated on past partners, the likelihood that they'll do it again is increased.
Many will give partners the chance to prove that they have changed from a past mistake, but according to the psychologist, people who cheat in their first relationship are three times more likely to do it again in the next one, compared to someone who didn't cheat.
Hiding their phone
This goes for all devices really, and though it is reasonable to expect privacy while communicating with people, someone who always hides their phone and laptop may be hiding more than the device itself.
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They may be doing so to try to cover up their current cheating, or it may be a force of habit from cheating in the past.
Poor impulse control
Impulsive acts of behaviour makes it difficult for the individual to control their actions and reactions.
The psychology expert explained: "The characteristics seen in serial cheaters can vary widely."
Dr. Ratush highlights that impulsive behaviours can help to drive the act and thoughts of cheating, which may also be a 'symptom of various psychiatric conditions'.
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Failing to deal with emotional issues
They may have underlying conditions that have been left undiagnosed, which could bring on the thoughts of cheating for the individual.
"Underlying conditions may range from primary psychiatric conditions, like bipolar disorder or impulse-control disorders like ADHD or substance-induced behavioural disorders," Ratush explains.
He also suggested: "Sexual addiction or attachment issues may also be at play."
They say cheating 'isn't a big deal'
It goes without saying that if you hear this, it's probably time to go.
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There's saying it isn't a huge deal or saying that monogamy is overrated, but if your partner doesn't seem like they want to commit to you, or agree with the idea of monogamy, it might be time to call it.
The lines exhibited here indicates a person that has cheated in the past, and if they say something like this, you should take it at face value.
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Mental Health
Joshua Nair