New here :) I'm 21 and my partner has Schizophrenia

Welcome @PlantLady

Thanks for sharing your story! It's great to hear your partner has a good support team (alongside yourself, of course).How are you doing? Often as a carer for a partner, we can forget our own emotions may get a bit frazzled at times, so if you feel like some tips on monitoring and managing your own wellbeing, check out the Looking After Ourselves threads. Everyone here is at different stages or has different experiences, but you'll find we're all pretty friendly and happy to listen or offer help where possible

Hello @PlantLady

Yes there is a lot of grief in a diagnosis and coming to terms with our new reality can be quite emotional. Looking after our own mental (+ physical) health is a priority to help us cope with the demands of loving someone with a chronic condition.

Hi @Alli11 , thank you for the tip.

I'll have to check out the Looking After Ourselves threads

I've also recently started receiving counselling for myself at Helping Minds , which has been amazing as they offer a lot of help and support for those with friends and family with mental illnesses. It's a great resource that I would recommend for anyone in a similar position to myself, especially as some of the services they offer are free, or they can direct you to free or low cost services.

Thank you again

Hi @Darcy.

Thank you for your support

My own health is definitely something I put aside when my partner was first diagnosed.

I see now that for us to be happy and living fulfilled lives, we both need to be aware of our own health. I am very lucky that my partner is understanding and we often check-in with each other to talk about how each of us is feeling.

I'm still working out what makes me feel happy and gives me meaning in life, but that's ok, with counselling I feel like I'm working towards that.

Thank you

Lovely you have been able to get some support @PlantLady, even with an understanding partner it can be a tough gig, especially when our loved ones are unwell (I too am fortunate that Mr Darcy is considerate).

lovely to see you here @PlantLady

we are here for you xx

Hello @Ali11 , @Former-Member

@PlantLady

Checking in to see how you are going.

There is "Topic Tuesday" relating to being a carer that might be of interest to you - the info about it

here

Hi @PlantLady

I’m in a very similar boat - my partner of almost 5 years was diagnosed as schizophrenic about 5 months ago. We are both 22.

Its comforting to find someone in the same situation, I would love to chat more with you.

-tictac

How are you going @Tictac @PlantLady

Hey @Former-Member thanks for checking in,

to be honest I'm going through a bit of a rough patch myself, so I haven't been on here for a while.

I've just graduated university, and going through a bit of an identity crisis Finding it hard to get motivated or to enjoy things.

My previous counsellor has moved overseas, so I have recently started seeing someone new, but that seems to be going pretty well so far. I definitely didn't realise how valuable having a good counsellor was until I started seeing my current one.

I've struggled so far with meditation and mindfulness, but I'm not giving up yet!(so if you have any tips, please let me know 🙂

My partner Nick is doing well at the moment, a few small surges in hallucinations etc. due to stress from his university exams, but he's handling it really well.

How are you going?

Love,

Plantlady