Say these words aloud with me: “It’s not my fault.” Take these words in. Really take them in. Then, take the deepest sigh of relief you’ve ever taken. You are not in any way responsible for the fact that your spouse chose to be an intimacy anorexic.
For as long as you can remember, you have been desperately trying to please your anorexic spouse. You have bent yourself this way and that, trying to do the impossible: evoke love from someone who does not choose to give love. You have dieted, read self-help books, hemmed and hawed. But you have gotten nowhere. Well, it is time to stop your efforts and realize that you are amazing as you are.
Your spouse’s choice to withhold love is not a reflection of your worthiness; it is actually not about you at all, not about your height, your weight, your income, your housekeeping skills. If it was your fault then your efforts would have led you to be loved for more than just a couple weeks after a herculean effort or huge argument.
I understand the pain and experiences you have had as a spouse of an intimacy anorexic. I see, whether you are a man or a woman, you have been blamed, ignored, untouched and disconnected from for years or even decades. I understand that previous attempts at counseling have failed you and at times you have felt hopeless and even as if you’ve gone insane.
I realize for some of you have just been introduction to intimacy anorexia. For others, you have been healing for years from the wounds as the spouse of an intimacy anorexic. Either way, by seeing intimacy anorexia for what it is, you will start to be able to understand it. And by understanding what intimacy anorexia is, I hope you will come to agree with me that your spouse’s intimacy anorexia is not your fault. Some information in this chapter is from the book Intimacy Anorexia: Healing the Hidden Addiction in Your Marriage (Discovery Press, 2010).
Next Steps
To learn more about Intimacy Anorexia or Married and Alone purchase the books by clicking the title. While you are reading these books, it if any time questions come up we are here to answer any questions. Feel free to email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 719.278.3708.
After multiple deployments and a decade of my wife expressing and using every single one of these traits daily for ten years her emotional affair was what pushed me into a full blown episode of depression and i got diagnosed with MDD and thank GOD for the amazing staff at the VA who was able to get me into a psychiatrist with in days as i had a failed suicide attempt and suicidal ideations almost daily as she would continue to lie and get caught about her interactions with the other man three times that happened by the way she claims it was only emotional but you dont fly across two states to go have a emotional connection for 5 days (she told me she had to leave town for work which she has done in the past) but when she refused to let me see the itinerary the gig was up drove to her place of work verified with the main boss if she indeed was out of town for work? he said “i thought she was with you on vacation” LMFAO F*** me RIGHT?! the icing though? SHE BLAMED ME FOR IT LOL literally said I didnt make her feel appreciated! LOL I QUIT my military career so she could get the promotion she wanted! which took two and half years a bunch of classes etc while i gave up being a SFC which i got promoted 5 years earlier above my peers to now being a stay at home dad with no income other then my compensation for being blown up a few times… now she makes all the money then uses it to cheat on me with some little Di** moron named jack… I honestly thought she was a covert narcissist because all the characteristics and traits are very similar but do you think the determining factor could be the lack of empathy she feels towards me? she will have it for everyone else but me… Also what about her unwillingness to admit fault or put in ANY WORK at all to fix things? Also its never her fault im the one who needs work not her.. thanks again Dr weiss
JS
After 43 yesrs of mental and emotional abuse, insults to my body…..God had me find my husband’s cell phone. His sex adiction he has had all his life and the sexual encounters, online porn and chats, masturbation, oogling, flirting, and more, poured out over 9 months. What a life I’ve had with him. He repented, accepted Jesus as Savior, has been doing the hard work and Bible study for almost 2 years, but can’t be near young women, he has to run. We can’t go anywhere together, it’s to much for me to watch him turn white, become anxious,. He says he prays to not oogle the young women, and tells me I’m the issue when we are out, he doesn’t want a confrontation with me. I’m done with all this. I’m 60 years old and want to go do fun things he just can’t do. He has lived in his fantasy world in his mind all his life and abused me worse as the years went by. I’m so angry, I go to God for strength and healing and how to live what years I have left in peace from this insanity. My grown daughter also revealed she struggled with S.A., and our son married a IA and is going through a divorce. This has been devastating and I keep trusting God knowing nothing happens without Him allowing pain. Its sad to say, but I no longer have love or compassion for husband. I tried all our marriage to help him as he struggled with anxiety, panic and depression. I never knew the secret life he lived.
He may want to watch the “Clean” DVD/book and “Lust Free Living” DVD/book.
how can IA partners ever fall in love if they aren’t capable of it? After him being sober from sex addiction I thought things would fall into place and intimacy didn’t get better so we realized he also had IA, which is so hard!
That is a great question Raquel. IA partners still have feelings and emotions just like you do. They just choose to control those emotions and how they love other people in their relationships. It is common for sex addicts to also have other addictions like intimacy anorexia as well. These issues are “comorbidity” complications meaning they involve more than one condition or addiction. Our intimacy anorexia books and materials can help work through IA issues, so please check those out!
If someone is struggling with multiple addictions, it may be good to seek professional counseling help. Many addicts have a “back up” secondary addiction they use to support their reality whether it is food, porn, spending habits, video games, fantasy, etc. So it can be a real struggle if someone is trying to heal on their own or if you are trying to help them recover. Feel free to call our office at 719-278-3708 if you have any questions.
Even though my husband chooses his addiction over a relationship with God and myself. I can at least say it’s not my fault, thank you the blessings your pouring out into so many lives.