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Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember18 June 2018, 2:55 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

At SANE we were over-whelmed a while back at the level of response to our sex and intimacy survey. Many of those responses were from carers who honestly shared the complications that mental illness had introduced into their relationship.

In this Topic Tuesday we’ll be sharing some of those findings along with strategies that couples have developed to help them deal with the changes they faced.

Please join SANE Help Centre Manager @Former-Member for a real and honest discussion about sex, physical intimacy and the connection with our mental health.

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Like' button below.

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Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

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Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

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107 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember24 July 2018, 7:23 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

I think that's more a personal choice based on your own needs and experiences @Shakeelah25. But you're not alone in wondering that. After the conference presentation last year a member of the audience stood up to say that she felt that she had to choose between a relationship or her health. Because a new relationship was so destabilising (often for those without an illness to start with too) that it made maintaining her health too hard. She was really sad about this situation and so she should be. That's just a terrible choice to have to make. Particularly as a good relationship can be very helpful to mental health.

Is this a choice you feel that you have to make?

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

gopals1Casual Contributor24 July 2018, 7:23 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

My experience was when it was good it was really good , but when it was bad it was really bad .

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Shakeelah25Senior Contributor24 July 2018, 7:23 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

the impact of the illness for me. I get traumatised when I think about getting close to anyone. Its difficult because I want to wait until marriage but I still want a non-sexual physical relationship. No idea how to overcome this

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember24 July 2018, 7:24 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Great to have you here @BlueBay.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember24 July 2018, 7:25 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Yes @gopals1, you may have summed up a thousand pages of research in one line 🙂

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember24 July 2018, 7:25 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Mr D put on weight due to medication but it has not affected our intimacy.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

BlueBaySenior Contributor24 July 2018, 7:25 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

@Former-Member I lack confidence and find that my self worth is thrown out the window because of my mental health. Also I think going through menopause doesn’t help either. There’s not much connection in this area at the moment.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Shaz51Senior Contributor24 July 2018, 7:26 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

For my husband who has bipolar 2 it is confidence, impact of medication and past situation as a devoice @Former-Member has all played a part in it

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember24 July 2018, 7:28 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Hi @Former-Member, thanks for joining us. Medication was also a huge theme coming out of the research as they can reduce desire and the ability to orgasm. So there was often a need to experiment with the right one and the right regime to try to minimise the impact.

I've so sorry to hear that this was forced in your situation. It sounds kind of barbaric given what we know about the side effects.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

gopals1Casual Contributor24 July 2018, 7:29 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Sexuality and intimacy // Tues 24 July, 7pm AEDT

Yep , when it was good it was amazing and wonderful . . When there was a break down in the relationship the connection was toxic and downright unpleasant .

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