Emotional affairs can often be gateway affairs to other types of infidelity and are just as likely to lead to divorce or a breakup as physical affairs. In short, an inappropriate emotional connection can be just as dangerous to a relationship as a physical affair. Do emotional affairs lead to physical affairs? However, after careful analysis and experience with couples who have had affairs, issues that arise from emotional affairs tend to be more impactful and require much more unraveling before any healing can begin. The “love” stage of a romance typically lasts six to 18 months, and sometimes as long as three years, says Denise Bartell, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay. How long do emotional affairs usually last?

READ ALSO: What is interprofessional health education for? And emotional affairs create a slippery slope to a physical slope. Sexual pleasure has a limited duration whereas an emotional connection or connection outside of your relationship can be long lasting and considered an even greater form of betrayal. Why are emotional affairs so damaging?Īn emotional affair can be much more damaging than a physical affair.

Some people are involved in an extramarital affair for a short time, and others engage in a long-term relationship with someone outside of their marriage. How long do emotional affairs last? There is no time limit on how long you can be involved in an emotional affair. When the primary relationship is not emotionally and physically intimate, each person becomes vulnerable to some form of adultery, whether emotional or physical.

It’s completely normal and healthy to tell a close friend about the issues in your relationship.Īn emotional affair is very dangerous because not only does it take time and energy out of marriage, but it can also lead to sexual infidelity and possibly divorce. Emotional affairs often start out as a harmless, platonic friendship, but can turn into infidelity when someone becomes overly invested and dependent on someone who isn’t their partner.

Stephanie lyn coaching