The topic of infidelity is a frequent topic with couples experiencing problems. When most people hear the terms 'infidelity' or 'affair', they almost always think of a passionate, romantic, physical relationship. Certainly many people engage in physical affairs borne out of immaturity, acting out of hostility and even sexual addiction.

What is less understood however, and at times can be even more threatening to a long-term relationship than a physical affair, is an emotional affair. An emotional affair occurs when one member of a relationship consistently turns to someone else for their core, primary emotional support in life. It often develops slowly, even innocently, as a friendship with a co-worker or friend. There may or may not be a romantic/sexual attraction initially accompanying this budding friendship. But when the primary relationship is experiencing ongoing hostility, conflict and/or distance, and one member of the relationship pulls away from their partner and consistently turns to their 'friend' for companionship, support and sharing of deep personal material, an emotional affair has begun.

elationship with your emotional affair partner. You may as well learn to deal with them now, before putting yourself and your partner through a terrible crisis.

defining moments of an emotional affair would be when something great happens to you and you would rather turn to the other person than your spouse...or when something bad happens and you turn to them instead. When you tell them more about your life/feelings/hopes/dreams than you do your spouse. I think if any of these are happening, the person is on a very, very slippery slope headed towards an emotional affair.

my definition of an emotional affair is where one spouse engages in a relationship with a person outside the marriage and is attracted to them. They also shift affections from spouse to the other person. Much more laughing, talking, etc.. The confide in the other person, and keep secrets from the spouse about it.

Any relationship where one spouse conceals the relationship and the true nature of it would be considered an emotional affair for sure..

will be VERY wary of friendships my spouse has with someone of the opposite sex. It is so easy for the freindship to evolve into something more. All friendships have an element of intimacy, and therefore, probably have the potential to evolve into dangerous emotional affairs.

Anemotional affair is when he shares everyday stuff with her and not you. When you are not welcome. An emotional affair is when he consistantly thinks about her, talks about her, calls her. An emotional affair is when you see him doing all the things he used to do to you, he does to her.

It's important to separate the "emotional" part from the "affair" part. Emotions are uncontrollable - an affair is a choice someone makes. I feel very strongly that having feelings for many different people is a part of life - if you are an emotional person, you will appreciate others on a deeper level, regardless of who you are married to. However, I feel equally strongly that we are all responsible for our actions. Unless you live under a rock, you'll meet people (often of the opposite sex) who you appreciate. But when you do, you'd better be aware of where the boundaries are, and don't let yourself get caught up in the heat of the moment. For some, the best way to respect the boundaries is to avoid temptation altogether. But it's up to the individual to decide how best to deal with these kinds of situations.

The best of us take the good elements of our external relationships and try to integrate them into our marriages.

I think that people feel attractions towards others, and that doesn't necessarily constituet an emotional affair, it's when those feelings are taken to a level of communicating them, and even acting on them therefore changing the affair. It is totally about emotions...it isn't friendship..friendship does not cross any boundaries, friendship is pure, even between men and women...those boundaries exit, and they must be respected..its tough...but possible

If the relationship, no matter what level it has reached, takes away from your primary relationship (or marriage), it could be considered an affair.

The question to ask is: Would you feel comfortable describing every detail of every interaction or feeling concerning this person to your significant other? If the answer is "No", you might have a problem.

Adultery, more fully understood Biblically is the willful and harmful violation (adulteration) of the primary, the permanence, and the honesty of the marriage. Thus, some extramarital relationships that involve no physical sexual expression whatever can be adulterous. On the other hand, extramarital sexuality with the active participation of both spouses that is marriage enhancing may not be adulteress at all.

Something about relationships with x's screams emotional affair to me...