There are many ways to determine what an off-base link is, but how do we know when it really is? What exactly defines the term betrayal?

1. It's often more than "just sex"

A sexual meeting that ends there is often not considered, but if the partners create a kind of relationship even deeper than that - we are at the beginning of a forbidden relationship. Although physical involvement is also called betrayal, in reality what should receive attention and cause greater damage are emotional relationships. Even if there is no physical involvement, creating an intimate emotional relationship is called extramarital affair that damages the latter.

2. It is generally something that is kept secret

One of the scariest parts of such a relationship is that they are usually formed and kept in secret. Secrecy makes it doubly painful for the other partner and harder to rebuild the trust that a relationship needs to work.

3. They have consequences on mental health

A relationship outside of the relationship can be called a "secret relationship" when it leads to mental health consequences for all parties. Both in the one who commits the betrayal (feeling of guilt, shame) and in the betrayed partner (anxiety, low self-confidence, increased stress, trauma in other relationships).

4. They often portray unspoken underlying relationship problems

The cracks in the primary connection, or things left in the shadows, make way for another relationship. It's a whole story to hear before jumping to conclusions about the new relationship. Of course, a betrayal can be an unexpected result, but in most cases it comes as a result of past events.

5. It is the couple that determines whether infidelity is called an extramarital affair or not

Each of us has our own way of perceiving betrayal. What is called a forbidden relationship for one of the partners is not called for the other. Therefore, from the beginning, such a discussion should be made regarding the definition of both parties in terms of the term "betrayal" or relationship outside the relationship. Such a discussion serves as a barrier and clarifies the following situations more.

Source: Psychology Today