system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: a sexless relationship is as bad as a cheating relationship

While literally on the opposite ends of the spectrum the trauma it creates on the non consenting partner is pretty much the same. Feelings of being unworthy of love, loneliness, abandonment and betrayal. I’ve been in both situations and emotionally I don’t think there’s a difference. To be clear on what I mean by a sexless relationship I don’t mean just the literal act but also next to no affection or meaningful interaction. So I don’t get beat up here also I’m talking about where this was not agreed upon. Open relationships or the opposite, agreed upon sexless relationships are completely different.
gpt
Cheating usually includes much lying, black lies, which is a severe form of betrayal in itself. It heavily compromises the fundamental trust in most relationships. To many partners the lies are the worst part. If you’re having sex with another person, and then with your partner, you’re also exposing them to risks that they didn’t agree to take. 

I don’t disagree with that a loveless relationship (as in no sex *or* affection) can cause the same amount of emotional distress as cheating can. but they are not really comparable. With cheating, you severely violate someones trust in a way that will not only affect their relationship, but also future relationships for the person being cheated on. Not showing your partner any affection can cause the same amount of emotional damage but it’s a lesser form of betrayal since it isn’t based on lies.