Have you noticed any difference in the relationship with your husband as of late or has this loneliness been occurring for a long period of time now?

Only you will know the answer to that.

Do you ignore your spouse to spend time online? Do you cancel plans to spend more time online? Basically do you let go of anything in your life in order to spend more time online?

Zany, I think we are all guilty at one time or another for placing too much confidence in the support of this group. Sometimes we can be drawn here for lots of reasons whether it be lonliness, need for support for episodes, wanting some fun, etc.

The problem is, we can become addicted to it like anything else and we have to be careful, very careful. I dont think that the last few weeks this board has been a very good influence for anyone with all the trolling, drinking etc. Sometimes when others are drinking and talking openly about it in a fun way, we are encouraged to also. Drinking is NOT a positive influence for any beeper, including me.

I agree with gemi in that, if you cant walk away for any reason, we need to evaluate why we are here and if it is good for us or not. I have days I spend hours here but I am constantly up out of my seat doing other things and "checking" back. So, in essence out of four hours, I might be on one or two......

If your relationship is strained, you would be better served to put your energy into working on that, but only you can know if that is possible. Otherwise, we do tend to pour our emotional efforts into others here and form relationships, some good, some bad.

Obviously your therapist or pdoc know you well and know based on what your symptoms are, where it might be coming from............xoxo

I have been lonely for years. Just worse at different times. I have had two emotional affairs that would have probably turned physical if allowed to. My hubby is like one of my kids. I have to tell him exactly to do just like I do with the kids. I do spend a lot of time on the internet, but there are times during the day that I am off taking care of the little one and such and then coming back and computing what I need to and then off again. I do stay on a bit more in the afternoon and evening because there are others here that watch the baby. DS or no DS, the hubby and I don't spend that much time together because I guess we are just not suited to each other. In other words, I am very bored and I guess I use the internet to get me outside my world and into yalls. Is that wrong?

It sounds like theres some need to be around your hubby more, or find a way to find more closeness with him. It doesnt sound like the internet is taking place OVER your husband or parts of your life, just happens to be where you go in your free time consistantly.

My opinion.

Shelly made some good points...but as you say there has been a void in your emotional life,before DS...I say go with your feelings that the friends you've made here make up for RL relationships...maybe make a little more effort w the hubby?
But keep contact w Ds,for I believe DS is a lifesaver to a lot of the lonely people.

I think you guys have pretty much hit on the gist of it. I do replace RL relationships with internet relationships-even talking on the phone to some I have met online. Thanks for the input guys. It is not an option to leave my husband. I do love him. I just get very bored.

I haven't read the replies 'cuz I'm so tired, so forgive me if this has already been said.

My tdoc says that online groups such as this can be helpful to a point, but then they can be detrimental if you make yourself all about the disorder....as in, your disorder starts to define you.

I get what she's saying....but at the same time, I come on here to find people who understand me. My family doesn't know what's going on with me, and neither do my friends. They try to understand, but unless you're going through something yourself, you can't fully understand. I hope this makes sense....

Makes perfect sense Sunny. Thanks for your input!! Hugs.