PTSD in Love: My Story of Betrayal & Healing

I’ve been through a journey I’m sharing because I believe many suffer in silence. I lived with betrayal on repeat. The partner cheated. I forgave. I left. Went to counseling. We got back together. I thought things had changed, but it happened again. the pain was not just heartbreak—it cut deeper. PTSD is real! In a marriage, in a partnership—straight or gay— cheating can leave wounds that don’t heal overnight.

Research back this up! In one study of young adults in committed non-martial relationships who were betrayed by infidelity in the past five years, 45.2% report symptoms consistent with PTSD after discovering their partner’s infidelity.

Sometimes forgiveness feels like the only option—because you want peace, healing, or maybe your betrayal is repeated? Repeated violation of trust is not just emotional pain— it can become ongoing trauma.

That’s why I’ve learned this: You might need to step back from your organization, from your responsibilities, from everything else, to take care of you. Because if you can’t take care of yourself—if you’re emotionally hallow, carrying trauma, walking on eggshells—how can you really help or love anyone else, or hold anything else together?

Self-care is not a luxury. Self-care is survival. And taking a break doesn’t recognize your worth. It means you’re choosing healing over hurt!