Emotional infidelity is often the first step to a partner cheating. Some people consider it cheating in it’s own right – it has been used in divorce proceedings in the US. A relationship is more than just physical fidelity. It is about the bond two people have, that they forge together over time.
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 end up being a stranger in your own relationship rather than your partners friend and confidant. This coldness can be awful to deal with, and may even be hard to define. You may feel that you are the one at fault.
Emotional infidelity means forming bonds, the bonds that were previously with you, with someone else. This is part of what makes it difficult to identify. There is nothing obvious going on, no sleeping with another person, no sneaking off to see someone else. This is why emotional infidelity is difficult to prove, there can be little or no evidence.
One very valid sign is a sort of sexual chemistry between the two people involved, with a great deal of flirting and teasing going on. It may seem they are just having a joke, no big deal, but emotional infidelity will make the person behave in a more secretive manner.
If you do suspect emotional infidelity, you need to keep some things in mind. Many people have close friends, best buddies if they are a man, and girlfriends if they are a woman. Some people have friends of the opposite sex, and they may confide in them frequently.
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 is also an early sign that the relationship is going badly wrong. The next step along from emotional infidelity is physical infidelity. If you can recognise and take steps at the emotional infidelity stage, then you will have an easier time than if you try and sort things out further along the line.
So, the big signs are emotional distancing from the significant other, and hiding things, secretive behaviour. If your partner is pulling away from you, becoming elusive and irritable, this should set alarm bells off in your head. If they are hiding phone calls, emails, avoiding questions and behaving jumpy, this is a real sign.
Emotional infidelity is best caught as early as possible in order to have a good chance at fixing it. It is not easy but if you feel there could be emotional infidelity in your relationship, then you need to get advice as soon as possible, and instruction on how to fix your relationship.
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