I started thinking about this after someone did a twitter poll asking ‘Would you tell a person you’re in a relationship with about your mental health problems?’
To me there is only one option on that poll. I don’t think anyone would expect me to go all coy after starting a whole fucking blog about being completely mental.
I usually steer well clear from discussing romantic relationships altogether. Also I don’t find this a topic I can share lived experiences on as I haven’t dated after my diagnosis. All of my experiences concerning romantic relationships are from the time that preceded being declared mental. Who am I to say how does it affect the process?
It shouldn’t though.
When you start seeing someone, you choose that person. You choose to take them on as they are. You can’t choose your family but you choose the people who you want to spend time with and this is no exception.
Being in a relationship with someone also means that this person chose you. That means that they chose you as a whole, the life you had before them and the experiences that affect you forever.
Whether we like it or not, mental illness is something that is likely to be present in our lives always. Even once I can say I’ve recovered, this also means that I will be living the rest of my life aware that it may come back. It affects how we feel each day and how we react to things, just to name a couple of things off the top of my head.
Why in the name of god wouldn’t you involve the person you’re in a relationship with into something that important?
I know why. Because it’s scary. It’s scary to be honest and you worry that this person isn’t going going to stick around once they hear how deeply damaged you are.
Just a thought but if someone is so disgusted by mental health difficulties that they wouldn’t have anything to do with you, how much are you honestly worse off without them?
Also, everyone has had shit happen to them. Everyone. We are all damaged in our unique way. Mental illness doesn’t define who you are but it’s an incredibly complex issue which manifests in a variety of ways in our everyday lives. I think keeping someone in the dark about something that important only isn’t irresponsible, it’s also stupid.
But if you’ve suffered from ill mental health, I’d say that you’ve already had enough shit to deal with without having this extra pressure when you’re trying to form new relationships. Our relationships can be a massive source of support on our road to recovery and everyone is entitled to that, that’s it.
I have been in a bad relationship. I would rather be alone for the rest of my life than go into another one. People get too wound up about being alone and imagine that is the single (gettit) worst thing that could happen to you when that simply isn’t true. The worst thing that could happen to you would be being in a bad relationship. Take it from me.
Honesty is the best policy. It’s just not the popular option.
I agree with you about honesty. It makes sense to wait a bit before letting fly with all the messy details, but illness is such a part of my lived experience that I’m not sure how I could keep it hidden even if I was so inclined.
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I agree wholeheartedly. Maybe you don’t share in-depth about the intimate, painful details right at the beginning, but if you cannot be honest with the person who loves you… what is the point of being in a relationship? Hiding is never the solution, because the truth will come out at some point. I certainly do not want to hide, my mental illness is part of who I am, whether I like it or not. I am who I am and if you don’t accept it, it’s your problem.
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Definitely, and a good relationship is built on trust and honesty isn’t it. How could it ever work out if you’d leave such a prevalent part of yourself out? Thank you for reading!
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Exactly! And if you know you are with someone who treats you like shit because of you mental illness, then that person is not the right one and you shouldn’t waste precious time with him/her! I am loving your blog to bits! 🤗
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Exactly. You never need anyone who treats you like shit. Sounds obvious but it really isn’t always that unfortunately. Thank you so much, that means the world to me! ❤
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I had a thing for falling in love with turds who treated me like rubbish. I hated myself so much that having someone enabling myself to hate me some more was just ace. Thankfully with therapy I am (dramatically) changing this fucked up mindset! No more assholes on the menu for me thanks
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Still on that road to recovery myself. Good on you! x
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I told my husband, up front, that there were mental health issues. His response was “I like you, so I guess I like your issues.” I guess that’s the litmus test, eh?
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