What is an "Emotional Affair"?

1. 63

   ThunderKeysposted 12 years ago

   What is an "Emotional Affair"?
   
   What are their major causes and where and when are they most likely to take place?
   
   How do they harm an otherwise healthy long term relationship?
   
   How can we protect our marriages and close relationships from them?
   
   

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2. 59

   mottiandbanderposted 12 years ago

   Emotional affair is something where you are not confident about your relationship. You are doing something in the emotion moment and after that you change your mind. Its not good for long term relationship. How much you will be able to convince  your partner you will stay with that much of time after that nothing.
   
   Just stop contacting if you can and do what your mind says...

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3. 0

   JadedLoveposted 12 years ago

   To me that would be giving myself emotionally to another. Why would I not go to my partner for support? I guess it would be like feeling someone without touching them.

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4. 84

   tsmogposted 12 years ago

   I don't think they are necessarily a 'bad' thing in my view. I have several emotional affairs in the sense of close relationships. Intimacy is hard to avoid with any relationship where emotions are revealed. I use to have a challenge with this. I would get hugged after a long personal discussion with the opposite gender. I wasn't sure of 'their' intent. I have since learned generally women are more social and socially emotional. Forgive the generalization. A footnote is I accept that when men shake hands it is an emotional hug of an intimate nature sometimes. So, does that mean there is an emotional affair? Controversial to say the least.

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5. 84

   wychicposted 12 years ago

   While I haven't written a hub specifically on this subject, about a third of this one is devoted to emotional affairs:
   
   http://wychic.hubpages.com/hub/The-Defi … lationship
   
   I go into detail about what they are and how they harm a relationship, as well as some of the reasons they might occur. I think the only thing I didn't address is how to protect against them, since it was beyond the scope of that particular hub -- I think the biggest thing is just to foster open communication with your significant other, so that either of you can let the other know when an emotional need isn't being fulfilled.

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6. 81

   dashingscorpioposted 12 years ago

   An "emotional affair" takes place when someone initially opens up about their feelings concerning their current relationship/marriage with an outsider. Over time  sympathy and empathy eventually give way to flirting and sharing laughs.
   I suspect the majority of "emotional affairs" take place online or long distance. Distance is what keeps them from becoming "physcial affairs".
   
   The truth is there is no "real way" to protect your marriage from one because the only person any of us has control over is ourself! All you can do is strive to keep the lines of communication open with your partner and take their concerns to heart. Continue to be affectionate, considerate, and passionate.
   When a person feels as though they can't talk to their mate about things that bother them or they don't believe their mate will make an effort to improve things then they are ripe for an affair of some kind.
   Just because you're married does not mean one stops listening, reassuring, showing appreciation and making sure their mate knows how special they are in your life. Whenever a person feels taken for granted or ignored it's not difficult for a stranger to put a smile on their face and in their heart.

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7. 69

   ArockDaNinjaposted 12 years ago

   If you're thinking or fantasizing about any 'activities' with anyone else beside your partner. It's natural. However, when you let your fantasy get out of control, you're in for it. I destroyed my last relationship by having several emotional affairs, a little over a year ago. I didn't physically act on any, but I wanted to. She knew something was wrong, and thought I was cheating. Essentially I was cheating, in my mind. So, I deserved to lose her.
   
   The way I look at it is, if you think about others or want attention from others, then your partner probably isn't the right one for you.

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8. 66

   anupmaposted 12 years ago

   When you are intimated with someone through emotions and feelings. In this relationship you get emotional support that is very important for a healthy life. Sometimes out kit and kins provide it and sometimes an unacquainted person provides it. I think, it is the first step to fall in love, because we get emotional support by someone who later on becomes very close to us.

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9. 58

   segsyboiposted 12 years ago

   it starts when doubt comes into your heart and you start to distrust those you used to trust and the effect is that it makes you more secretive and makes you hate those you used to love earlier............

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10. 63

    ThunderKeysposted 12 years ago

    thought provoking answers here! Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

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