Have you discovered that your partner is caught up in an emotional affair, and you’re left wondering why they seem so drawn to it—why they can’t seem to let go? Emotional affairs can feel addictive to the person involved, and while that doesn’t excuse their actions, understanding why it happens might help you make sense of what’s going on. Let’s explore why your partner might be so hooked on this connection and why it’s so hard for them to break away.
When you discover that your partner has had an affair, it shakes the foundation of trust in your relationship. But when their affair partner works in the same place—or even the same industry—it can feel like a fresh wound every day. You may wonder how to navigate this incredibly challenging situation. While there are no easy answers, having a clear game plan with specific rules and guidelines can help rebuild trust and create a sense of safety for both of you.
Struggling to understand the difference between infidelity and sex addiction? Let's explore how compulsive sexual behavior differs from infidelity and affairs. Sexual addiction involves compulsive behaviors that persist despite serious consequences, often driven by a need to numb emotional pain. Affairs and infidelity is typically situational, while addiction is marked by escalation, loss of control, and repeated patterns.
Dr. Kathy Nickerson
Dr. Kathy is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and nationally recognized relationship expert who has helped thousands of couples. Over the past 20 years, Kathy has presented marriage and relationship advice at more than 70 conferences, while authoring more than 85 professional articles and books, with coverage in Good Housekeeping, Reader's Digest, CNBC, Bustle, Medium, UpJourney, Fatherly, The Zoe Report, CNN, Forbes, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, LA Times, Newsweek and many more.