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Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

IlovewaterCasual Contributor16 Nov 2015, 10:19 pm AEDT

Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

I don't know if anybody out there is having the same trouble getting into a romantic relationship, as I am.

I have set some goals for myself with the support of my peers and family and have acheived them.

Now I know I'm in a great place where, I love and respect myself with all my flaws and quite frankly, I am very well.

I would just love to be able to share the love with the right man. Yes I'm a lady that takes mediation for mental illness but I'm looking after myself and I believe that I can look after somebody else as well.

I'd love to hear your take on my situation, please feel free to drop a line.

37 replies

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In response to: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

chibamSenior Contributor20 Dec 2015, 11:18 pm AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

So great to hear that you've got the happy ending you deserve, @Ilovewater. 😄 One can only hope the rest of us singles have as much good fortune in the new year! 🙂

All the best!

In response to: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

Peter_Pan78Senior Contributor23 Dec 2015, 12:36 pm AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

Yes, an interesting topic love, relationships and mental illness. I have been lucky with love and being a person with a lived experience of depression/anxiety. I have admitted early on in relationships that I take medication for depression/anxiety. I have been fortunate to have been with women who embraced it and didn't see it as weird. I've been married eleven years now and me and my wife have a strong relationship regarding managing my mental health. We always talk openly how I'm feeling, ie. if the medication is effective, how I'm feeling. She reminds me to take my medication, but not to be controlling, but only because she loves me and knows that I have lots of interests and get distracted sometimes. Other than that she lets me be me, and we talk about it when I feel the need to bounce off ideas or just to let her know how I'm going.

I know it is not so easy for everyone, but being honest about taking antidepressants early on in a relationship or budding one, can help. Some people actually want to be educated about mental illness, others will run off, scared by the news. All I can say is, like love in general, you'll strike a fair few rocks, before you find that diamond in the rough like I did, you just gotta keep digging! Good luck!

In response to: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

IlovewaterCasual Contributor29 Dec 2015, 11:40 pm AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

You're welcome. 🙂

In response to: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

Unknown userMember31 Dec 2015, 6:16 pm AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

Wow @Ilovewater that is exciting and impressive! I have girlfriends who have been single and wanting to be in a relationship for YEARS. But you are clearly someone who sets their mind on something and makes it happen!

What's great about both your posts is that they show that you put the work into making yourself well and on solid ground first. Relationships, even the good ones, can be really de-stabilising. All the excitement and passion at the beginning eventually giving way to the work of loving and accomodating another. As they truly are rather than how we first believed them to be. Not easy but incredibly rewarding.

I wish you and your new love all the very best.

In response to: Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

PeppiPattySenior Contributor01 Jan 2016, 9:30 am AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

Like this message very much @Peter_Pan78

I have two sons and focused on my oldest son who doesnt want to take medication for his MI

So...although he's 25 years old...I just got myself stronger.......and decided to start talking ........not always necessarily to him.....about me being a proud consumer meaning I had the guts to access mental health agencies in the [ast.

Its a good way to be

In response to: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

IlovewaterCasual Contributor05 Jan 2016, 4:58 pm AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

Thank you all for your congratulations but unfortunately the relationship was short lived.

In response to: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

PeppiPattySenior Contributor06 Jan 2016, 8:03 am AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

That's OK.......
How are you ?
You were testing the waters in what you want .

In response to: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

PeppiPattySenior Contributor06 Jan 2016, 8:10 am AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

Dear @Terry

Yes there are but we do live in a paternalistic society ?? I truly believe that your a good person where love shines in your heart
The right ' fit' may not hasnt crossed your path.... But

Maybe he \ she has ?

In response to: Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

TerrySenior Contributor06 Jan 2016, 9:09 am AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

i am working on self-love and obedience to god before i think about a relationship at the moment. and yes, i am female and heterosexual.

In response to: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

StuContributor06 Jan 2016, 5:59 pm AEDT

Re: Romantic Relationships and Mental Illness

Hi all thank you and in my experience I've always felt there's been an angel looking after me and I've been blessed with the wonderful people in my life- past included? I know the mental health services for the past 20 years! The good and the bad times? But being diagnosed at 27 with psychosis and schizophrenia my life has had many challenges especially with girlfriends who have been so supportive! Love is love through tough and kindness and understanding there is light at the end of the tunnel !!! I truely believe this so hang on? One thing I do know is that communication is the key and men find it hard to tell how we feel but it's all worth it! I hold down a job for the last 16 years and me children have taught me so much about myself also the hundreds I've taught? Innocence is the most beautiful thing in life and I now teach kids of kids😊That's a buzz that keeps me going! There was a time I didn't believe this but hay as you get older we grow and we all start to see the beauty in each of us! Be kind to your mind life was never meant to be easy as tthey say? Giggles and light to you all- love is special just like each of us!❤️❤️❤️❤️😇

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