Could CHEATING be caused by a mental illness?

[coachTanthony]

Could CHEATING be caused by a mental illness?

YES

NO

Other (left my "two cents" in the comments below}

See Poll (Coach, you have clearly lost your mind)

[Justacatlady]

Interesting thought. I think perhaps it could be perpetuated by a mental illness. I do think that most people who cheat have had a trauma whether it be abandonment or death. Something in their life created a void where their self worth is supposed to be and they fill it with affirmation from others.
The beginning of relationships is always exciting. It’s the part where both people are doing their best to impress so it makes you feel good. Then the long term affairs are secretive which I think gives a rush of adrenaline to be doing something you shouldn’t. All those things release dopamine which makes the person feel good for a time. Substituting the lack of worth for a moment.

[sejla]

Yes. Some mental health issues involved impulse control issues or delusional behavior. People who have untreated bipolar can go into sexual overdrive when they are on the high. Also, if a person is prescribed a medication that doesn't work with their system they can get over stimulated. Or most people are told not to mix street drugs, other meds or alcohol with psychiatric drugs but some people don't listen making them lose control of their inhibitions.

These cases i think are minority. I think most people choose to cheat.

[SomeGuyCalledTom]

Seems like everything bad nowadays can be blamed on some newly-invented mental illness. Maybe people should just accept personal responsibility for their choices and realise that when they do shitty things, shit comes back round to them sooner or later. Perhaps someone with some pre-existing mental illness could be more likely to engage in risk-taking activities like cheating, doing drugs, etc, but to say mental illness *causes* cheating just sounds absurd to me.

[SomeGuyCalledTom]

The decision to cheat is what causes cheating; whether or not the cheater realises at the time they're making a decision.

[SomeGuyCalledTom]

p. s. I'm not presuming that you personally believe in the contents of your question, I'm directing more at people who would actually think this way.

[LesterJester]

Right... Let's make another excuse to allow justification for cheating.

Wasn't my fault... I have a mental disorder.

Then they can go out and cheat even more, but not having to worry about hiding the fact that they are.

Apparently you cna make up a disorder for everything these days.

[Cynicaldreamer]

Don't make excuses for them coach: cheaters just need to learn how to control their damn hormones and urges, or just leave their partners if they're unsatisfied.

[coachTanthony]

I know you know this so I will forgive the slip up! I ask questions that are ENGAGING not because I believe one way or the other on the subject at hand. You drinking tonight? LOL

[Cynicaldreamer]

LOL! No just had a bad day, thanks to a guy ironically... you know I know better, I slipped.
I will behave myself next time, I promise~

[coachTanthony]

Ha Ha Ha okay well that sucks! Sorry you had a bad day and hope it gets better!

[SydneySentinel]

Maybe. Doesn't make it okay though.

[SuperManiac]

I went with "no" but I wasn't operating scientifically in my answer; I was answering based on values. It's like perhaps mental illness causes people to become serial killers. Actually I think there's an abundance of data suggesting that is the case.

Yet I don't like the idea of "cause". It might degrade our overall sense of accountability to one that finds endless reasons to justify unwanted actions. It's like if I'm in a managerial position, I don't care if someone's mental illness constantly causes them to be late. I can't be so compassionate here because I need them to show up on time. They have a responsibility to fulfill, not just to me but to the firm, to their colleagues, to themselves, to everyone.

So I am not in favor of the language of "causes" behind the misbehavior. They can be useful to study from a scientific perspective to try to gain insight into the psychology and perhaps prevent undesirable behaviors. Yet, from a value perspective, I don't like the language of "cause". I prefer the language of "chose" in all cases because I think that discourages unwanted behaviors and encourages accountability far better than the language of "cause".

[Massageman]

There are several mental illnesses associated with behavior that GO WITH cheating.

Just because someone has a mental illness doesn’t mean that they WILL cheat, and not all cheating is DUE to mental illness. Although you want to find a cause and effect link behind cheating, those links aren’t that clear. Mental illnesses CAN set the stage for problems, yet the cheater STILL MAKES THE CHOICE.

With mental illness, either their emotional or mental self control are lacking. In some cases, their reasoning ability is lacking. Either way, they end up acting either impulsively or loosing control of themselves.

Besides mental illnesses, there are also some cases of cheating involving brain damage. These can occur with brain traumas and situations where brain function has been changed. Depending on the section of the brain involved, there may be issues occurring resulting in affairs.

Although it’s more convenient to blame the mental illness, brain damage, or even family history of cheating, the role played by volitional CHOICES has to be considered.

[Moonchild714]

Yes many Mental Health Diseases can result in Cheating, such as BiPolar Disorder, Dissociative Disorders, Addictions (Substance, Sexual, & Gambling as well as others). However, if you already know you have a Mental Illness and don't get treatment or refuse tge correct treatment and suggestions than youbare 100% at Fault for ALL YOUR ACTIONS!!! If you are doing something that you regret and refuse to see why You are Ignoring the Problem and therefore 100% at FAULT!!! Many with Dissociative Disorders and other Mental Health Diagnoses go In-Patient to treat the Disease and be away from the Public and out of Harms Way!!!

[MistiGal]

Answering your question is definitely a NO!
The question you should be asking your friend if he has any other personal or health issues that would contribute to his cheating. It also sounds as though there are issues in his relationship if this is what has been happening.

[coachTanthony]

I don't have a friend who is cheating.

[MistiGal]

Ah ok, you mentioned below you were asking for a friend? Sorry if l over saw that...

[coachTanthony]

You do know that in 2019 that is a pun? somebody asks a crazy question then says... asking for friend? I know you do but I think you just didn't catch it.

[MistiGal]

Haha.. yes you got me... totally over my head... lol

[Wharvey98]

All cheating no, but certain mental illnesses can make it more likely that you will cheat. And certain mental illnesses even take it out of your control. Many illnesses like Bipolar, schizophrenia, and even some physical or neurological disorders such as epilepsy, dementia, and Parkinson’s have been linked to compulsive sexual behavior and hyper sexuality. None of these disorders guarantee it but it’s always possible. Then there’s always the possability of developing hyper sexual symptoms on their own.

[coachTanthony]

You look that up on google or are you a doctor?

[coachTanthony]

Google it is!

[Wharvey98]

Actually neither. I’m Bipolar, and I asked my doctor.

[Price511]

Technically speaking, there are various ways it could occur via mental illness.

Disassociative personalities taking over and then next thing you know when you regain control that you cheated, you're depressed and you turn to alcohol and then have drunken sex with another person, anxiety for not fitting into society's norms by not having sex at your age and then somebody comes along and offers it when your partner isn't comfortable to do it yet, etc.

But eh, I could be wrong. I'm not a guru at mental health, that's moreso psychiatrists, I think. If I am wrong, then please correct me (with good reasoning) so I can get a better understanding of it.

[Bananaman177]

Not just a psychological illness, but a real medical issue like a brain tumor or cyst:

I saw this Ted Talk a long time ago and I can't stop wondering how many criminals and murderers throughout History may have simply had an undiagnosed brain cyst. Just an interesting thought, but with scary implications.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esPRsT-lmw8

[Chadnelson1973]

No it's caused by someone who is selfish and doesn't care. I've never cheated
Why cheat it's not worth the price. You then havey and fix it and that may not be possible as the trust has been broken.
If there's kids in a relationship they have a right to know that both parents are going to be faithful to each but also them. If you cheat and there's kids you have also cheated on the kids.
So it's not worth the risk to cheat weather you are dating or are married.
Cheating is not caused by a chemical imbalance , it's not caused by

[stardust101]

Not all mentally ill people cheat and not all cheaters are mentally ill. However, cheating is caused mainly by the ego and unfulfilled desires. Just because we desire something doesn’t mean we should get it. I desire all sorts of stuff, but just because I desire something, doesn’t mean it’s good for me. This is why our conscience is important and we should utilize our brains more and listen to it rather than the ego. The ego is very destructive if not maintained

[SueAnon84]

I think it's more of a conscious choice to cheat. A SELFISH and conscious choice at that.

[coachTanthony]

I agree but could a mental illness ever be an excuse?

[SueAnon84]

Well some people claim a "sexual addictions" excuse. People cheat for all sorts of selfish reasons. Could be anything. In my opinion, it's not an excuse from consequences, but I guess it would depend on the couple or individuals involved. If they think it is excusable, then they have that right to believe so. I think If it's a mental illness, then it's an illness that needs to be dealt with. If that's without the support of your partner, then I am sorry for that.

[lovedejj_xo]

Borderline personality and bipolar especially in manic can set off a lot of sexual impulses and I’ve seen it in clients. I wouldn’t say it’s caused by just mental health and All mental health because then that becomes an excuse. But infidelity is common with certain disorders.

[coachTanthony]

Client?

[lovedejj_xo]

Yes clients... I’m a clinician at a mental health agency. I’m telling you I’ve seen a pattern with certain clients pretty much

[coachTanthony]

Okay cool!

[Wowgirl30q]

@lovedejj_xo then you know better to throw men in the borderline pool. And Mania is mania I think unless it falls in psycho-sexual behavior catagory or I can literally see it on a EEG or a scan it's bs.

[keepswimming_96]

I agree we had a discussion on this in my psych class for nursing... random question what’s your major? I start my internship at a mental health agency next month. 😅

[coachTanthony]

Any specific mental illness's we should be looking out for Doctor?

[lovedejj_xo]

Not a doctor yet... going for my PhD in 2022. 😂 But there’s a couple others, those are the main ones I know about personally. @keepswimming_96 helloo! So I finished school but I have a masters in social work and just passed licensure so I can diagnose now. I almost went into nursing but science and math are not my thing lol. Good for you you’ll do awesome! You’re needed, it’s not easy you’ll have days where you question everything... but it’s worth it in the end!

[lovedejj_xo]

@Wowgirl30q did I or are you assuming? I was pretty clear. I’m not even talking about just men. I’m also not saying everyone with certain disorders has an urge to cheat... key word it’s common that is all. Also no... not all in manic episodes have urges sexually and not all with BPD and BD think about cheating but many do. Unless it wouldn’t be prevalent criteria.

[Wowgirl30q]

I misunderstood I got ya

[lightbulb27]

Emotional illness, thus mental... sure. It could be caused by conditioning and training and thus from the persons frame of reference, is ok... e. g. they won't change until they have no other choice.

Maybe it's caused by "screwatitis bunchatroubla" bacteria? im kidding...

[Battooot]

i think a lot a lot can come into factor.

for example you have my situation (which by the way i just posted and am going through it and want opinions on it if you could help out!)

A conservative girl and a horny guy get into a relationship? ↗

[ret04]

Well it's kind of known to be. Primarily, narcissistic people tend to cheat the most, they've very deceptive and manipulative. Then there's insecure people, desperate people, depressed people, etc. Not many who are the picture of mental health are known to go behind someone's back like that.

[GuidoThePizzaMaker]

Tired of people calling all sorts of mental lapses, mental illness
Its an excuse in my opinion.

Cheating is caused by a lack of honor, duty, or respect. When men cheat its because they are incapable of controlling themselves. When women do it, its because they are satisfied with their partner.

Its about lack of character not mental illness.

[UnicornLobotomy]

Could cheating cause mental illness? Yes. Which came first and to whom would vary from individual to individual. Sexual assault and trauma, sexual or relationship related, like divorce/custody issues/infidelity all lead to emotional issues, call it mental illness temporary or permanent and differ in severity. Severity usually proportional to the severity of the trauma the person experienced. Hurt people hurt people, usually not consciously, unless they are a sadistic narcissist.

[winterfox10]

Sometimes it is! Other times, and maybe even most times; it's caused by one person's feeling like the need to fulfill certain obligations, but recognizing that they won't ever be happy in their current arrangement. Most cheating is actually done as a way to stay, as weird as that sounds.

[lernulo]

nymphomanie is called.

If I had a partner with it, I would have to help her, and believe me, they will pass it much worse that me, because... A person with nymphomanie can't choose their victim, they just want their dose, so... Wanting to go out is one of the first thing a person like that would like.