Shame, guilt, depression and anxiety swirling the topic of student debt can lead people to keep secrets, therapists say.
"By keeping your debt, or financial history, in general, secret, you are being disingenuous to your partner and ultimately putting them at risk, too," Cockrell said. If you're in a supportive relationship, your partner will want to help you more than cast blame, she said. You can begin the conversation by sharing a little about why you've kept the details of your debt a secret, and how you've been worried about their reaction to the news, therapists say. They also recommend apologizing and using "I" statements, such as "I felt" or "I thought," rather than using your partner as an excuse.