How to Survive an Affair

One of the most difficult things that any marriage can possibly face is how to survive an affair. Today, more marriages are confronted with this terrible problem than ever before. That's right, extramarital affairs have been on the rise for the past few years. It could be that more men and women are travelling for business to other cities, where they can be anonymous. Another explanation is that women don't rely on their husbands for financial stability as much as they used to, so they feel freer to have an affair.

Studies have found that approximately 10 percent of husbands and wives have cheated within the past year. Overall, 24 percent of men and 18 percent of women report having an affair sometime during the marriage.

Not surprisingly, quite a few marriages can't recover from such a betrayal. But most men and women do end up staying together--for better or worse. Some form of counseling is almost always needed if there's to be any hope of reestablishing a healthy relationship. But it takes a lot of time to overcome the pain and anger. And both parties must be willing to make it work.

There are three emotional stages that occur after a partner commits adultery. Obviously, the first stage is one of extreme emotion--anger, blame, guilt, and misery. After things have settled down a bit, a more introspective stage follows. This is almost like a grieving process for the relationship that has been lost. The third and final stage is when couples decide they want to commit to each other and try to save the relationship. This stage is all about building trust and forgiveness. That's the most important thing if you're wondering how to survive an affair.

It's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to navigate these troubled waters alone. Friends and family can help--or hurt. It's best to either seek the help of a professional or read a good book on surviving infidelity. Although every relationship is different, there are similarities between the various kinds of infidelity. Identifying the patterns of your particular situation is the first part of how to deal with infidelity.

Yes, it is possible to get past the heartbreak of infidelity, but it takes time, strength, and commitment. Remember, many couples do succeed in creating a happy marriage after an affair. If you and your spouse both want it badly enough, it can happen for you too.

Find out which are the top-rated guides for how to survive an affair at Surviving Infidelity.