How would you describe an emotional affair?
Needy!
People that have affairs either usually have one or more of the following problems (there are many others):
They feel lonely in their present relationship.
The person you are married to or going with does not fill the needs you must have to feel whole.
If the person you are with is a good person, and you are too lazy or egotistical to bother to work on that relationship. Is it really easier to have an affair? No!
You are in an abusive relationship and afraid to leave, so you seek love and attention from another.
You are bored in your present relationship and seek praise from another.
You can be egotistical and full of yourself, thus, need "stroking" constantly from others to keep your ego pumped.
Both parties in the affair are needy. Many people who feel alone from depression, not a high feeling of worth in themselves, or simply looking for a good old time, usually choose another mate of the same caliber to fulfill their needs.
Since this is a very complicated situation and each individual has their reasons, there is no real answer.
It's best, if you can, to be honest with the partner you are with and take "time out" from the relationship and see others of the opposite sex. This is much fairer (considerate of the partner you are with) than sneaking around and ending up hurting more than just oneself.
The main reason people have affairs is because they are either self-centered or just plain selfish because they fear if they tell their boyfriend or husband, they may lose them. Somethings got to give and it will be the cheaters that pay the high price.
I was married for 8 1/2 years when I met a temp at work that had a simple question. I was the first friend that she made there. almost two years later I am deeply in love with her and my marriage is a total mess. I know that she is the sole cause of the problems but I choose to interact with her daily. We don't have sex or kiss or anything like that. My wife knows who she is and we have all went places together, weird as it was for all three. More than friends, less than lovers. We would both like it to escalate to more but are unwilling to because we know it is wrong. She offers all the traits that my wife doesn't.
All relationships need WORK. Sexual & emotional closeness are basic. If somebody is being intimate in a emotional way with a friend...I.E. Talking openly about his views on birth control. How he makes funny noises during sex. Maybe the relationship has reached the 'delusional' stage. Thinking all is well even though the couple has not talked about emotional needs or wants (should occur on a weekly basis). He/she may find it easier in thinking that ignoring feelings or asking friends on topic instead of partner will be benefiting by avoiding arguing. That tough questions need to be answered honestly. If ya got to hide something from your mate chances are it ain't helping the long term goals for the relationship. Needing an emotional friend/partner outside the relationship is unbalanced. Person may have abandonment issues from childhood.
ANSWER:
A words that breaks marriages and family. You want to know what emotional affair? It generally starts innocently enough as a friendship. When a man or a woman invest in emotional energy and time with one another outside the marriage relationship, the friendship can begin to form a strong emotional bond which hurts the intimacy of the marriage relationship.
For those who believes that emotional affair is harmless, because there's no sexual relationship, are very wrong. Emotional affair are often gateway affairs leading to full blown sexual infidelity. A person feels closer to the other person and may experience increasing sexual tension. It also received emotional support and companionship from new relationship.