Have you ever felt a deep pang of irritation at something involving your spouse? Has that irritation progressed to a gnawing anger that you harbor for days, months, even years? Welcome to the world of spousal resentment. Luckily, you don't have to stay angry forever.

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Dictionary.com defines resentment as "the feeling of displeasure or indignation at some act, remark, person, etc., as causing injury or insult." Everyone feels resentment toward others at certain points in life, but experiencing resentment toward your spouse can cause a great deal of emotional pain and turn a household upside down.

People handle resentment in many ways, including withdrawing, being argumentative or holding it all in and not showing any signs of upset at all until they eventually explode. Resentment can start out small and grow over time to invade your entire relationship.

Comparing Wallets

One common source of resentment in a relationship is related to money and power. When one spouse makes more money than the other or has a more prestigious job, the other spouse may feel envious and resentful. Sometimes, a woman will put her career on hold to raise children and feel she's made the right decision until the reality of her spouse being the breadwinner sinks in.