Romantic relationships are not only possible if you have a mental illness, they can be rewarding and healthy.
There may be no relationship more affected by mental illness than the intimate relationship between partners. The good news is that it's possible to be in a healthy, loving, and long-term partnership with someone who has a mental illness.
When it's time to pick a mate, people often choose others like themselves—even when it comes to mental disorders, Stat reports.
They found that, overall, people with mental disorders were two to three times more likely than the general population to have a romantic partner with any mental disorder. Some disorders showed a greater likelihood of both partners having the same diagnosis.
People struggling with extreme mental health issues may struggle to articulate themselves or communicate their feelings, making conversation difficult and causing the relationship to flounder. Depression can cause apathy toward communicating and anxiety can cause unfounded mistrust between a couple.
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
Obsessive love or obsessive love disorder (OLD) is a proposed condition in which one person feels an overwhelming obsessive desire to possess and protect another person, sometimes with an inability to accept failure or rejection.
There's no clear-cut answer regarding whether an individual who's dealing with someone with a mental illness should stay in the relationship. There may be plenty of reasons to stay; however, fear of the relationship ending isn't a valid reason and isn't healthy for anyone involved.
Walking away from the relationship doesn't mean giving up on someone with mental illness. It simply means you are honoring your need for healthy boundaries. An example is if your partner refuses to seek professional treatment or see how their illness may negatively affect the relationship.
When we are falling in love, chemicals associated with the reward circuit flood our brain, producing a variety of physical and emotional responses—racing hearts, sweaty palms, flushed cheeks, feelings of passion and anxiety.
Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) commonly have a favorite person (FP), whom they are heavily emotionally attached to and dependent on. This study aims to identify and illustrate the patterns of destructive FP relationships based on actual experiences described by those with BPD.
Someone with a mental illness not only has the illness to cope with, but also overwhelming waves of emotions to address. Often, it is difficult for the affected partner to articulate how he or she is feeling, or may downplay what is really going on out of fear of being abandoned and feelings of guilt.
Scientists studying human chemistry believe chemical bonds related to neurotransmitters in the brain may trigger an attraction with someone so intensely that it causes a tingle down your spine.
For someone with a mental illness, it can be difficult to navigate their own symptoms and challenges while also providing their partner with the support they deserve. In some cases, maintaining a romantic relationship can make it difficult for someone to focus on what they need to do for their recovery.
Try to make your partner understand that you still care, and wish him or her the best, but that you need to make a clean break for your own sake. Say goodbye and leave without regrets, or excessive drama. Remind your partner to continue with his or her treatment.
You need to be honest with your loved one, even if it means that they may not want to hear what you have to say. Sometimes empowering your loved one may mean that you have to set boundaries, take a step back, or involve mental health professionals.
Your mental health issue is also an invalid reason to leave your relationship either. In fact, if your partner is supportive, they'll help to keep yourself balanced. However, as we discussed, if tensions arise between you and your partner, you'll feel even more down. This is especially true if your partner is toxic.
There are many people with mental illness who have gotten the treatment and medication they needed, and they've gone on to have happy marriages and fulfilling lives. However, there are times when a spouse's mental illness can be too hard for a significant other to handle, and they end up getting divorced.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD): Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can also be a potential cause of obsessive love. Due to a deep-seated fear of being abandoned, people with BPD often behave in erratic, controlling, or manipulative ways in relationships.
Personality disorders and pathological lying
Pathological lying or lying compulsively can also be a symptom of antisocial personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder. People with these personality disorders may lie to gain sympathy or social status, or to preserve a false sense of self.
Intense and short-lived relationships are common for people with BPD. It's very common for someone with this disorder to have intense, unstable relationships filled with drastic and quick-changing feelings. A person with BPD may fall in love quickly and assume that the other person will make them happy.