Emotional Infidelity Signs

Emotional infidelity seems to be the latest inclusion in the list of relationship issues, and it seems to be picking up quite fast. The prevalence of emotional cheating in relationships is increasing with more and more people resorting to their so-called 'best friend' for the much required peace of mind. This, however, should not be interpreted as 'a person cannot have a best friend of opposite sex'. A relationship amounts to emotional affair only when the said person confides each and every incident of his life to his so-called best friend, instead of sharing it with his spouse. Involving in such relationships can spell a disaster for your marriage, and therefore it is wise to stay away from it.

Emotional Infidelity: Definition

Emotional infidelity, also referred to as emotional cheating or emotional affair, is infidelity restricted to emotions, feelings or thoughts - instead of physical intimacy. That being said, it can pave way for extramarital affairs marked by physical intimacy between the two people. In several cases, people involved in such relationship don't even realize that they are heading for some disaster. There can be several reasons for people to resort to such affairs, marital problems being one of them. The person with whom you get involved emotionally may be a colleague, a friend, an ex or even a chat friend. Though there is no physical involvement in these relationships, the amount of mental energy diverted towards it can result in some serious issues in your steady relationship.

Signs of Emotional Infidelity

Emotional infidelity starts with 'harmless flirting', and goes on to develop into something a lot more than 'friendship'. With time you get so used to this 'friend' that you look forward to spend more and more time with him/her. At one point of time, your inclination towards this so-called friend becomes pretty obvious, and reflects in form of certain telltale signs in your life

You need to watch out for these signs in relationship:

• Either of the partner loses interest in relationship.
• The amount of time spent with the spouse decreases significantly.
• The person tends to get indulged in petty arguments with the spouse.
• There is a little or absolutely no sexual intimacy in the relationship.
• The friendship with so-called best friend is kept secret from the spouse.

You need to make a note these changes in yourself:

• You spend more time thinking about your so-called best friend.
• You begin dreaming or fantasizing about this friend of yours.
• You become jealous with the idea of seeing this 'friend' with some other person.
• All of sudden you feel that there is nothing common between you and your spouse.
• The feeling of guilt engulfs you every time you face your spouse.

You need to be careful when:

• Your partner spends more time outside the house than he/she usually does.
• Your partner spends long periods on the computer or talking on the phone.
• Your partner secures his files and folders on the computer with passwords.
• Your partner gets overcritical about your appearance and behavior.
• Your partner gets defensive when questioned about his friendship with a person of opposite sex.

One has to understand the fact that emotional attachments are virtually inevitable. But then, it is necessary to draw a line when it comes to getting involved in such matters. If at all you see any of these emotional infidelity signs in yourself or your partner, you should promptly get into a damage control mode and put in efforts to resolve the underlying issues. At the end of the day, relationships are based on trust and any sort of cheating in relationships amounts to the breach of this very trust.