Infidelity And The 5 Types You May Be Surprised To Know About

Infidelity can be defined as a set of behaviors and actions that can severely negatively affect a relationship. Everyone is affected by it to some degree. Still, it is particularly damaging to the person being cheated on, who may develop lingering self-doubt and insecurities because of the incident.

For many people involved in an adulterous relationship, the question that often comes to mind is: “why is this happening?” The truth is, the reasons behind infidelity can be difficult to pinpoint. It also doesn’t help that there are several different types of cheating, making it even more challenging to determine why it occurs.

Why Do People Cheat In Relationships?

Among the most common reasons for cheating are anger and revenge. Some people are driven to infidelity after a fight or an argument, even if they’ve never cheated before. Others may be moved to seek outside relationships if they are abused or feel slighted by their significant other.

Partners may also be compelled to seek out other people if they are neglected and feel that their partner isn’t making an effort. This may occur when both partners are too busy or preoccupied with work and personal concerns.

5 Types Of Infidelity

Infidelity comes in many forms, but most incidents fall into these five broad categories:

Emotional Affairs

Many unfaithful partners develop deep emotions for people they don’t even know. This causes them to pursue an adulterous relationship for no other reason than a fleeting attraction. In any case, this emotional attachment with someone other than a partner often constitutes infidelity.

Cyber Affairs

The internet and its associated technologies have changed our lives significantly in many ways. Unfortunately, it has also made it easier for people to engage in infidelity.

Cyber affairs are one example. These often start as online relationships facilitated by dating or social media apps. But they may later progress to personal interaction and face-to-face relationships.

Having Sexual Desires For Other People

For many people, infidelity is simply a matter of sexual desire for another person outside the relationship. Almost everyone experiences these feelings from time to time. But the difference is that unfaithful partners actually act on their passions and enter into a sexual relationship with the object of their attraction.

Although many people who engage in this behavior justify their actions as only being about sex, the results can be just as damaging and hurtful to their partners. For the partner that remains faithful, the fact that their significant other focuses their sexual desire on another person constitutes betrayal all the same.

Object Affairs

Object affairs are different from other forms of infidelity. Instead of an attraction or relationship with other people, the unfaithful partner, in this case, may devote their time and attention to inanimate objects.

Whether it is work, a hobby, social media, or even an electronic device such as a phone, the result is often the same. The other partner is left to deal with an emotionally and physically absent partner and a lack of care and affection.

Commemorative Infidelity

Persons who commit this type of infidelity have no feelings for their partners while remaining in a committed relationship. In most cases, these couples are bound together by a sense of obligation rather than sexual desire or love. Some people may have feelings for others of the same sex but remain in the current relationship only to keep up appearances or avoid social consequences.

What to Do When You Are a Victim of Infidelity

It isn’t easy being in a relationship with an unfaithful partner. The uncertainty, the arguing, and the emotional rollercoaster can all extract a hefty toll from even the most well-adjusted individual. Here are some steps that could help ease the strain and possibly enable you to live a happier and more rewarding life:

Talk To Someone

Consider sharing your thoughts and feelings with others. After years of being trapped in an adulterous relationship, professional counseling or even just intimate talks with a close friend could help you develop new perspectives.

Don’t Assume The Blame

Many people cheated on by an unfaithful partner assume all the blame for the failed relationship. While we all have our roles and responsibilities within a relationship, remember that it is you who remained faithful while your partner cheated.

Leave It In The Past

At some point, you will have to accept that the relationship cannot be mended. If you are unable to salvage the relationship after infidelity despite your best efforts, it may be time to move on and give yourself a chance to be happy.

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