Emotional Infidelity - How To Detect It, What To Do Next

By Elizabeth Fitz

Well known as the first step on the road to cheating, emotional infidelity may well be considered cheating in it's own right. We are all aware that there is much more to a relationship than the physical aspects which are shared with one person and one person only. The meaningful part of a relationship which satisfies emotionally is the bond you share with the other person.

The emotional connection makes up a huge part of a couples relationship, and this is exactly why emotional infidelity is so soul-destroying. A relationship is about sharing emotionally and mentally with feelings and thoughts; in fact sharing your soul with another person.

When your partner or spouse begins to form those very same bonds with another person, then it is emotional infidelity. As your partner forms the bonds, they withdraw from their relationship with you.

You go from being your significant other's friend and confidant to being a stranger in your own relationship. This freezing out can be difficult to deal with, and may be hard to see. You may feel that the problem is on your end and that you are the one doing something wrong.

Emotional infidelity indicates that the other person is forming bonds with another person that is not their marriage mate. Perhaps the worst thing is that emotional infidelity is difficult to identify. There is nothing obvious, no sleeping around, no sneaking off after work or at lunchtimes; this makes it very tricky to actually prove.

One big sign is a sexual chemistry between the two people, flirting and teasing each other. It may seem innocent because there is nothing physical going on, but emotional infidelity will cause the person to behave differently.

This is perhaps the key to keep in mind if you do suspect emotional infidelity. If your partner has friends of the opposite sex, that they are close to, that is not necessarily emotional infidelity. Everyone has friends, best buddies, girlfriends. Some people have friends of a different gender, and they may confide in them many details of their lives.

This is not emotional infidelity; and the reason you can know this is the lack of guilt. Guilt is a huge red flag, if your partner feels forced to hide what is going on then it is usually a sign that they are involved with someone on an emotional level. No-one who is just friends with anyone hides things from their partner. Basically, if they are hiding you know that there is something to hide.

Emotional infidelity is a problem on it's own, but it can be one of the early signs of a relationship really turning sour. Emotional infidelity frequently does lead to physical infidelity. If you recognise emotional infidelity then you may be able to nip it in the bud at this early stage - it is always easier, the earlier you catch it.

Emotional disengagement and secretive behaviour are enormous signs that there is emotional infidelity. Acting suspiciously, hiding calls, texts on their cell phones and emails - even avoiding questions and generally acting like they have a secret, are all signs that you should be aware of.

You need to catch emotional infidelity in its early stages an fix it. This can be tough to do, but if you suspect emotional infidelity in your relationship, then you need to seek out and advice and instruction on how to fix your relationship. - 30299

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