mental illness is something that commonly gets romanticized in literature and the media — perpetuating the idea that a handsome guy can somehow cure depression and anxiety disorders. they may feel like this person understands them in a way that others might not, or that it’s easier because they don’t have to worry about facing judgment based solely on their diagnosis. whatever the reason, it’s definitely possible for two people with similar, or even very different mental diagnoses to have a happy, healthy and functional relationship. although every relationship is different and it’s important to learn what works best for both partners, here are a few things to keep in mind if you are in a relationship like this and find yourself struggling because of your mutual diagnoses.
when one or both partners are struggling to communicate, it’s a good idea to have words or hand signals prepared so that you can still check in with each other. this is especially important for partners who are experiencing extreme mood swings or episodes since it can often be hard to get out full detailed explanations about your feelings during this time. this concept also applies to you, and you should try to be conscious of your own mental and emotional state when attempting to help your partner through a rough time. although all of these steps may help you at different times, one of the most important things to remember is to practice forgiveness. this process is not easy, but you should not be afraid to love someone with a mental illness, nor should you fear that you are unlovable because of your illness.
this oversight is in part due to the traditional practice of mental health professionals focusing on symptoms within the individual, and overlooking the patterns of how individuals relate to each other in a couple relationship. in fact, research on psychiatric illness in the couples relationship has found a positive correlation between one partner having a mental illness and the other partner also suffering from a mental illness.1 how do i know if my spouse is struggling with a mental illness, or if they are just reacting to some adverse event that is putting stress on our marriage? healthy relationships serve as a buffer to help the individual ward off both physical and mental health conditions. on the other hand, it’s well recognized that relationship stress with a partner can negatively affect the person who is struggling with a mental illness and make the condition worse.
if one or both of the partners is struggling with a mental illness, these negative emotional reactions are often intensified. the mental health field is becoming more aware that marriage often brings a mixed bag of stressors and rewards to all those who embark on the journey. yet, even with the presence of mental illness, committed relationships can benefit from interventions that help the couple get back on track and help to improve, or at least stabilize, mental health symptoms. journal of family psychology, 6(3), 245-254. we are a group of seven leading mental health and substance use non-profit agencies.
it turns out that we aren’t alone. studies have shown that people with mental illness are two to three times more likely to choose partners who 1. use open and honest communication. this one seems obvious, but it can be one of the hardest things to do, especially if you have an illness in fact, research on psychiatric illness in the couples relationship has found a positive correlation between one partner having a mental illness and the other, too mentally ill for a relationship, am i too mentally ill for a relationship, can a bad relationship cause mental illness, when to walk away from someone with mental illness.
22 couples who both have mental illnesses confess what their relationships are really like. candace ganger updated @ 9:12 am. people often choose, deliberately or unconsciously, romantic partners similar to themselves. and according to a new study, that extends to however, studies show a positive correlation between one partner struggling with mental illness and the other partner sharing that same struggle, being in a relationship with someone who has a mental illness, couples therapy for mental illness, couples therapy for mental illness, codependent relationships mental illness, my husband’s mental illness is killing me, ending a relationship because of my mental health, mental illness and marriage, how to help a partner with mental health issues, can a person with mental illness get married, social relationships and mental health, how does mental health affect family life and relationships.
When you try to get related information on two mentally ill relationship, you may look for related areas. too mentally ill for a relationship, am i too mentally ill for a relationship, can a bad relationship cause mental illness, when to walk away from someone with mental illness, being in a relationship with someone who has a mental illness, couples therapy for mental illness, codependent relationships mental illness, my husband’s mental illness is killing me, ending a relationship because of my mental health, mental illness and marriage, how to help a partner with mental health issues, can a person with mental illness get married, social relationships and mental health, how does mental health affect family life and relationships.