I always suspect that my husband has mental symptoms of having an affair

Excessive suspicion that your partner is having an affair may be a pathological jealousy or paranoid psychological problem. Common triggers include anxiety disorders, trauma in intimate relationships, abnormal personality traits, fluctuations in hormone levels, and early manifestations of mental illness. Symptoms can be improved through psychological counseling, marital therapy, drug intervention, self-regulation and social support.

1. Anxiety disorder:

Generalized anxiety, or social anxiety, can lead to over-interpretation of a partner's behavior, mistaking normal social interactions as signals of infidelity. This group of people often suffer from physical symptoms such as insomnia and palpitations. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help identify distorted thinking patterns. If necessary, anti-anxiety drugs such as paroxetine and sertraline can be used to relieve symptoms.

2. Relational trauma:

Those who have experienced betrayal in the past or experienced parental infidelity in their family of origin are prone to develop "relationship insecurity." Manifested as repeated checking of partner communication records, excessive questioning of itineraries, etc. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) can be used in marital therapy to repair attachment damage, and it takes 6-12 months of systematic intervention to rebuild trust.

3. Paranoid traits:

People with paranoid personality tendencies often have stubborn suspicions that lack realistic basis, and may be accompanied by persecutory delusions or excessive vigilance. This type of situation requires psychiatric evaluation. If the diagnostic criteria for delusional disorder are met, antipsychotics such as olanzapine and other antipsychotics must be used, together with reality testing training to improve symptoms.

4. Hormone fluctuations:

Perimenopausal women or men with abnormal testosterone levels may develop mood regulation disorders and project physiological irritability into marital doubts. It is recommended to detect six items of sex hormones. Estrogen and progesterone replacement or testosterone regulation treatment can improve suspicious behavior caused by mood swings.

5. Precursor to psychosis:

Relationship delusions may occur in the early stages of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, which manifest as the belief that the partner has a secret lover and the refusal of any counter-evidence. Typical signs also include auditory hallucinations, social withdrawal, etc. Early medical treatment is required for antipsychotic treatment such as risperidone and aripiprazole.

It is recommended that you perform 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day, such as brisk walking and swimming, to promote endorphin secretion, and add foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and walnuts to your diet. Partners can have regular "trust-building conversations" and agree on specific safe behavioral boundaries. When there is no evidence-based suspicion that lasts for more than 1 month, or is accompanied by symptoms such as sudden weight loss and auditory hallucinations, you need to see a psychiatric department immediately. Maintaining a regular schedule and practicing mindfulness meditation can help reduce hypervigilance. If necessary, short-term use of benzodiazepines under the guidance of a doctor can relieve acute anxiety attacks.