Hunter Schafer Says Being Cheated On “Fundamentally Changed” Her — Here’s How Infidelity Impacts You Longterm

Ah, infidelity — the gift that keeps on giving. And by “giving,” I mean serving up emotional devastation on a silver platter. Just ask Euphoria star Hunter Schafer, who recently spilled the tea on her first experience with being cheated on and how it fundamentally changed her. But we’re not here to just sip on celebrity drama — we’re diving into something called Post Infidelity Stress Disorder (PISD), which is basically what happens when your world shatters after discovering your partner’s been unfaithful. While Hunter didn’t say she herself has PISD, she’s doing a great service to the public by starting a conversation about how much infidelity can impact you longterm.

Hunter Schafer and Dominic Fike’s Breakup

Image Credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Contributor via Getty Images

In case you missed it, Hunter recently opened up on the Call Her Daddy podcast about her split from Dominic Fike, aka Elliot in Euphoria. The breakup happened over a year ago, but the reason behind it still stings — infidelity. Yep, Hunter claimed Dominic cheated, and she was left to pick up the pieces of her heart (and her trust in humanity, TBH).

Hunter said the infidelity “fundamental changed” her as a person, and honestly, who could blame her? Being cheated on for the first time is like being hit by an emotional semi-truck. Hunter even admitted to blaming herself at first, which, spoiler alert, is so not uncommon. Especially for someone like Hunter, who navigates life as a trans woman and has her own unique set of social challenges, this betrayal hit extra hard. On the podcast, she said, “Because of the way I’ve been socialized as a trans woman, it’s been this crux in my life of what life has been so hard sometimes, I was like, ‘Oh, god, is this it? Can I just not?’”

But after some serious reflection, Hunter realized that the cheating had nothing to do with her and everything to do with Dominic’s own issues. And good for her because self-blame is just another way to let infidelity ruin your life.

So, What Exactly is Post Infidelity Stress Disorder?

Now, let’s talk about the emotional debris Hunter (and many others) are left to sift through after an infidelity earthquake. Cheating has been shown to cause some serious emotional trauma — remember when Khloe Kardashian’s MRI showed physical signs of emotional trauma after she got cheated on? For some, the emotional trauma can lead to PISD.

PISD is a type of anxiety disorder that can pop up after you find out your partner’s been cheating. You might think, “Wait, isn’t this just regular heartbreak?” Well, yes, but also no. Think of PISD as heartbreak on steroids. This isn’t just crying over Ben & Jerry’s and questioning all your life choices. It’s a full-blown psychological roller coaster where you’re strapped in for anxiety, depression, and even PTSD-like symptoms. Imagine waking up in a cold sweat, obsessively replaying conversations in your head, and questioning your self-worth every time you see a happy couple on Instagram. Yeah, PISD is not just about being sad — it’s about being fundamentally shook to your core.

How Common is PISD, Really?

If you’re thinking, “Ugh, everyone gets upset over being cheated on — it doesn’t need a name,” think again. A 2021 study found that between 30% and 60% of people who’ve been cheated on experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and — you guessed it — PTSD. So, if you’ve been through this and are still feeling the aftershocks, you’re definitely not alone.

And that’s what makes PISD so insidious — it’s not just the immediate pain of betrayal but the lingering emotional chaos that follows. It’s the late-night Google searches, the sudden loss of trust in everyone around you, and the struggle to ever feel “normal” again. And for someone like Hunter, who was in her first monogamous relationship and got cheated on by the first cis, straight-identifying man she’d ever dated, the shock was probably seismic.

How Do You Heal from PISD?

So, how do you get over something like this? Well, if Hunter is any example, it starts with self-compassion and understanding that someone else’s infidelity says more about them than it does about you. It’s about realizing that cheating is usually a sign of the cheater’s own issues — whatever mess they’re dealing with that led them to betray your trust.

Therapy can also be a game-changer. Talking it out with a professional can help you process the trauma and begin to rebuild your sense of self-worth. It’s about finding your way back to yourself after your trust has been obliterated.

And maybe, just maybe, the next time you’re swiping on Tinder, you’ll swipe right with a little less fear and a lot more confidence in your own worth.

Hunter’s story is a reminder that infidelity isn’t just a plot twist in your love life — it’s a full-blown crisis that can leave you reeling. And while not everyone who gets cheated on will develop PISD, the emotional fallout is real and valid. So, if you or someone you know is going through this, remember that healing is possible, and you deserve a love that doesn’t leave you questioning your own value.