True Signs of Infidelity

If you suspect your partner is cheating on you, it may be time to take stock of your relationship. Examining some of the changes you've been noticing and the sources of your suspicion can help you determine if your partner is cheating, but according to Elizabeth Landers, author of "The Script: The 100% Absolutely Predictable Things Men Do When They Cheat," your best bet it to trust your instincts, approach your partner honestly and open a dialogue early. Although there are hundreds of potential signs that your partner is cheating, some are more common than others.

You Find a Souvenir

A woman's earring in your bed. A pair of panties in the laundry that you can't remember owning. A receipt for a gift or flowers that you never got. These are all telltale signs that your partner may have strayed. According to infidelity expert Dr. Ruth Houston, "it's not unheard of for lovers to leave personal items behind--sometimes deliberately, for an unsuspecting wife to find." There may be a logical solution as to how these items ended up in your home, so it's best to discuss them before resentment and anger build.

The Miles Don't Add Up

Your partner says he's going to be out of town on business all weekend, but when he returns, he only has a few miles on his car. Your wife says she's going to be at the office late, but when she gets home, there are over 300 new miles on the car. These could very well be signs of an affair, according to Huston, who cites that people having affairs need to create time and space for their activities. Paying attention to the car's mileage could provide useful clues to your partner's activities.

Sneaky Behavior

Affairs are so shrouded in secrecy that it's likely some of that will spill over into your home life. For example, if your partner takes late-night phone calls outside or quickly slams the laptop shut when you enter the room, something might be going on. Some sneaky behaviors are as blatant as your partner getting a second credit card and having the statements sent to her place of work; some are as small as suddenly pulling into the driveway from the opposite direction on a regular basis. Pay attention to shifts in your partner's routines and communicate openly about sneaky and elusive behaviors.

Changes in Treatment

Changes in treatment vary, depending on your partner's personality. Some partners feel guilty for their affairs and begin showering their mate with kindness and gifts out of the blue. Others are resentful of their dual lives and become short, distant or overly critical. Landers says it's likely that your partner will try to pick a fights with you and give you gifts as a way of subconsciously proving to himself that he's the good guy and that the marriage was in trouble anyway.