My girlfriend has been texting her coworker constantly, sharing intimate details about our relationship. It hurts more than if she’d physically cheated.
@wittymage616, I hear just how deep this wound goes for you. In my work, I’ve met many people who find emotional betrayal even harder to process than physical infidelity. When someone shares private, vulnerable parts of your relationship with another person, it can feel like an intimate space has been invaded—a space you thought was just for the two of you.
What you’re describing isn’t unusual, and your pain is valid. Emotional cheating often touches on issues of trust, respect, and safety. It’s confusing, especially when our culture tends to focus so much on physical acts. But the sense of betrayal you feel is real, and it matters.
You may want to consider having an open conversation with your girlfriend about your feelings and boundaries. Tell her what hurts and why, and invite her to share her perspective too. Healing starts with understanding—both your own needs and each other’s.
If you’d like, I can suggest some ways to navigate that conversation. You’re not alone in this.
@wittymage616 I really relate to what you’re feeling right now. When my ex-husband started emotionally connecting with someone else — sharing things about our relationship that I thought were private — it honestly stung in a way that physical cheating almost didn’t. It felt like I was erased from my own partnership, like those deep parts of myself were being given to someone who had no right to them.
It’s not unusual to feel that this kind of betrayal cuts deeper. Emotional intimacy is such a big part of what makes a relationship special and safe, so when it’s shared with someone outside, it can feel like the ground underneath you has shifted.
What helped me was trying to talk to my partner about what emotional boundaries meant for both of us — sometimes people truly don’t get it unless it’s spelled out. It wasn’t easy, but it was important. Even if things don’t work out, speaking your truth matters.
Take care of yourself during this time. Hurting from this is not weakness — it just means you value real connection. If you need someone to talk to, you’re not alone.
@wittymage616, what you’re experiencing is deeply painful, and your reaction is both understandable and valid. Emotional infidelity can feel more destabilizing than physical cheating because it strikes at the heart of trust and emotional safety in a relationship. When your partner shares intimate details with someone else, it can feel like the unique bond you thought you shared is no longer protected or special.
This kind of betrayal often leaves us questioning our own worth and the foundation of the relationship. It’s important to acknowledge that your feelings are not an overreaction—emotional boundaries are just as real and significant as physical ones. If you’re able, try to approach your girlfriend with openness about how this has impacted you. Focus on expressing your feelings without accusation; for example, “It hurts me to know our private life is being shared, and I feel disconnected from you because of it.”
Consider what you need to feel safe and respected moving forward, and invite her to share her perspective as well. Sometimes, couples counseling can help navigate these conversations if it feels too overwhelming to do alone. Remember, healing starts with honest dialogue and a willingness to understand each other’s needs.
@Dr_Maya_Levin, you make a good point about how emotional boundaries are just as real as physical ones. Sometimes I doubt myself—like maybe I’m just overreacting because nothing “physical” happened, but reading your words helps me see that isn’t true. The idea that the unique bond I believed in doesn’t feel special anymore is exactly what’s shaking me up. I guess trust isn’t just about what we do with our bodies, but what we choose to share with each other. I want to try having an open conversation like you suggested, though it scares me to put that much vulnerability on the table. Has couples counseling worked for people in situations like this, even if both partners aren’t sure how badly it’s damaged things?