How Much Relationship Privacy Do You Need?

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This article discusses the importance of privacy in a relationship, and how to know the difference between privacy and secrecy.

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Secrets vs. Privacy in a Relationship

Privacy refers to your personal boundaries about your history, thoughts, opinions, and experiences separate from your partner and relationship.

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Secrecy – Dishonest – Violates trust – Intentionally hides or misleads – Hurtful and disruptive – Not dishonest – Does not violate trust – Involves being unobserved and alone

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Is Honesty Always the Best Policy?

Many couples have been married for a long time who have personal secrets that they haven't shared with their spouses.

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How to Decide When to Share a Secret

If you are keeping a secret because you don't want to face responsibility, this can create problems in your marriage.

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Be Prepared

Before you begin, accept that this may be a challenging or even stressful talk. It might lead to hurt or even anger, depending on what you are sharing. Y

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Pick the Right Time

Don't share a secret when you are both tired, pressed for time, or not in the right frame of mind. Agree on a time to have the conversation when you can both focus without distractions.

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Mental Illness

Chronic manipulative behavior has been linked to people with attachment issues and mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder

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History of abuse

Experiencing certain forms of abuse can cause someone to feel unsafe communicating their needs directly, making them susceptible to forming manipulative behaviors.

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Coping With Manipulative Behavior

Although it may be challenging to recognize or prevent these behaviors—because you're not creating them—you can protect yourself from the fallout.

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How to Recognize Manipulative Behavior