How secrets can make you ill

Keeping secrets from your partner doesn't just make you untrustworthy, it can also make you sick...
We all have secrets. Some are simple, some are serious, and some are dangerous. The fact is that most of us have something to hide from each other. Is it okay to keep secrets? It is good for you? Experts do not think so…


Secrets create distance in relationships
When you keep a secret from your partner, you are aware that you are not being totally honest with him. It makes you feel a little distant and creates a tiny rift in your relationship. As your secrets grow, the rift keeps growing. So, it is never a good idea to keep a secret from your partner. 

The worst part about keeping serious secrets like medical conditions, extramarital affairs, debts, and abuse is that it makes you behave like a completely different person. When you have something to hide from someone, you need to maintain a façade all the time. 

You need to come up with a hundred lies to cover one. It requires constant vigilance, which makes you behave as if someone is constantly watching you.


What happens when the truth comes out?
The problem with a secret is that it never stays one. When your partner or your friend comes to know about it, it shatters their trust completely. It often means the end of your relationship.


The effect of deceit on your health
Experts say that keeping serious secrets results in an inner conflict that takes a toll on your mental and physical health. You often wonder if you are doing the right thing by keeping the secret or if you should reveal it to someone. 

You try hard to suppress your thoughts and emotions. You feel alone, helpless, anxious, and worried. This state of mind can cause stress, which is one of the most common causes of health problems in men and women today. 

Prolonged anxiety and stress can lead to a number of problems including chronic headaches, eating disorders, digestive disorders, and high blood pressure.
The guilt associated with keeping secrets can make people irritable and depressed. Some people try to forget everything by smoking, drinking, or taking drugs excessively.
Such dangerous addictions can not only make the person feel empty and dissolute, but can also increase the risk of various diseases like cancer and heart problems significantly.


How to avoid secrecy
The best way to avoid these problems is to be completely honest and open with your partner and friends. If the very thought of opening up to your partner or friend makes you feel uneasy, try consulting a therapist. It is always a good start.