Most of the time, it's obvious when your relationship has reached a rough patch. But for married people who have taken vows that end in "...so long as you both shall live," it can be hard to let go of a marriage, at least not without a fight. Take a look at five signs that indicate that the damage done might be irreparable. First, take a look at how you connect...if at all. Having a sense of disconnect where there used to be intimacy might indicate that you're going through a rough patch. When you're physically not together and don't really have a problem with that, it's a red flag. When you don't mesh on issues in which you used to be in sync, like kids, money and activities, these may be symptoms of disconnecting from one another.
Fighting is an obvious sign that something is wrong - when you start doing it anywhere, any way and in front of anyone, there's an issue. Conversely, not talking at all about anything is a bad sign, too. When your conversation is limited to who's going to pick up the kids and other logistics, you've lost that intimacy of having a true partner. Avoiding sex is another warning sign. Sleeping apart or sleeping in the same bed without having contact is an obvious red flag. And if you or your partner is doing anything possible to avoid being home, then it's time to get some help or at least have a conversation about where the marriage is going. Tackling problems head-on instead of letting them simmer for months - and in some cases, years - is the best way to avoid divorce.