Therapist Jenna Nielsen defined emotional cheating as “Getting emotional support from another individual or sharing an intimate emotional connection that is more than a friendship. People who emotionally cheat feel “guilty” or like they are “betraying” their current partner. ”
Olivia emotionally cheated on her partner, “It felt like cheating because I let them in in a way that felt unfaithful. I was indulging in their attention and although I didn’t cross the physical line, I knew my partner wouldn’t like it – I hid it from her and that’s what made it cheating.”
While friendships are healthy, frequent communication that feels too intimate or makes you want to hide it from your partner can indicate emotional cheating.
- Sharing your inner world (your thoughts, feelings, fears, etc.) with someone else while closing off to your partner
- Acting like you’re in a relationship with someone, just without the physical side
- Having strong emotions for someone else and letting them know (i.e., acting on it)
- Hiding a relationship from your partner because you feel guilty or are worried about what they might think
Virtual Cheating (Inappropriate Communication)
Cheating via social media or any other online platform or medium probably falls within the realm of emotional cheating. İncele
