I'd like to add this to your post to CeMar about seeking help through a shrink...just to piggyback it.
So many people feel that seeking professional help with issues, or going in to a professional and saying "I'm having this problem in my marriage but don't know what to do" exhibits weakness or lack of character because they can't fix things themselves. Or they don't want some outside person to know what's going on in their marriage. This is my mother's view of therapy, and she's doing herself a great disservice by shutting down that option for help rather than embracing it. Personally, I think she's afraid of what a shrink would tell her, but that's my own guess on that.
There is no weakness in seeking help from professionals qualified to help...you would be amazed at what a professional can pull out of you that you didn't even know were thorns in your side, making situations worse.
Once again though, you don't know how that shrink can help you...until you go to one, explain the problems you are having in your marriage, and simply talk to them openly and honestly for awhile. The key is though, YOU need to go into therapy with an open mind...willing to do what is suggested to you.
Can you do that?
I CAN tell you that in my own marriage, we would not be where we are today without the help of some very qualified professionals.
