Without trust in a relationship, your communication and actions toward one another break down—and once that happens, your romance can be difficult to revive. Of course, mistrust can be caused by so many things, including anxiety, attachment issues, or trauma from a previous relationship. It can also manifest in different ways and end up putting unwanted stress on your relationship. To avoid this situation, we consulted therapists to find out the top indicators that your partner has trust issues. Read on to find out what you need to look out for.
Jealousy is always tricky in relationships, especially if it seems to appear out of thin air for no clear reason. ..Read Full Article
“If a romantic partner is not doing anything to provoke jealousy (e.g., not engaging in flirtatious behavior), ongoing displays of jealous behavior often signal underlying trust issues,” clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, author of The Joy of Imperfect Love, tells Best Life.
According to Courtney Hubscher, LMHC, LCPC, NCC, of GroundWork Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, they may also become jealous over “harmless interactions” with others, including friends or colleagues.
“They often question your loyalty or commitment,” she adds.
Jealous woman looking on as man uses cell phone while sitting
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If your partner struggles with trust, they might feel a heightened sense of suspicion, prompting them to violate some aspects of your privacy.
Hubscher says a partner with trust issues might review your text messages, phone records, emails, direct messages, or location data.
We all have those days when we feel emotional or irritable, but a partner with trust issues will likely exhibit consistent emotional dysregulation and reactivity.
“Bouts of anger, irritableness, or fear can be a sign of trust issues,” Manly says. “When emotional episodes are connected to—or triggered by—feelings of insecurity, trust issues are at work.”
She continues, “In fact, high levels of anger are a common defense mechanism that ‘protects’ an individual from feelings of vulnerability—this is at the core of trust issues.”
woman comforting crying partner
People with an insecure attachment style often struggle with trust in relationships, Manly points out. As a result, they may seek reassurance or validation through a partner.
“A high need for affirmations of love and safety [is another sign] of unresolved trust issues,” Manly says. “Untrusting partners—especially those with high levels of anxiety—may seek a sense of safety by chronically asking a partner for reassurance that they are loved, wanted, or safe.”
They may also have a fear of abandonment that results in clinginess and hyper-dependency, Manly adds.
While some partners with trust issues might want to share everything with you, others can be emotionally closed off.
“Honest communication may become difficult with partners fearing judgment or misunderstanding,” Hubscher says.
A partner with trust issues might find it hard to share their personal thoughts and feelings or avoid discussing their past relationships and experiences, she explains.
If your partner constantly barrages you with questions about your whereabouts, acquaintances, and future plans, they could be doing it because they don’t trust you or think you may be cheating.
“For example, if you are out with friends, you may be met with ‘Where were you? Who were you with?’ when you get home,” says Amanda Levison, a licensed professional counselor at Neurofeedback & Counseling Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
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