“Often, a psychiatric diagnosis can feel like a life sentence, but it absolutely doesn’t need to be perceived that way. What differentiates individuals is the severity of their symptoms and how one copes with them.” “Remind your partner that mental illness occurs on a continuum and that all of us - even without a diagnosis - deal with anxiety, depression and relationship issues from time-to-time. Los Angeles-based therapist Natalie Moore also added: ![]() ![]() That way, you will get the kind of support you need, and they will feel more confident knowing they are actually helping.” It’s a good idea to suggest things they can do to help you so they are well-equipped when the time comes you need support. “People who don’t have knowledge about mental illness and how it can impact individuals will often try to help them feel better, but fall short by doing things that aren’t really helpful. More than likely, they want to help you, and they need to be informed about your specific diagnosis to do that.” One of the best parts about being in a relationship is the ability to confide in the other person, and if done correctly, telling your loved one about your mental illness can strengthen the bond between you. Not disclosing the whole truth about a mental illness can set a relationship up for failure with unrealistic expectations. “Even though it might be tempting to downplay your mental illness, it’s much better to be honest about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Forcing the conversation before you feel safe will likely result in a miscommunication on some level.” Wanting to have a level of trust established with that individual is completely natural, and makes sense when talking about something as personal as mental health. “It isn’t necessary to tell someone about your mental illness before you feel comfortable. Sal Raichbach, a practicing psychiatrist at the Ambrosia Treatment Center, which provides evidence-based behavioral health treatment nationwide, offered some insight: ![]() I’m very lucky that my “coming out” was pretty painless but I wanted to talk to some experts about the best way to tell someone you have a mental illness.ĭr. But the thing is, you can’t have a supportive intimate relationship with someone who doesn’t understand you and support you for exactly who you are. As a teen, I was battling my own shame and stigma as a person with bipolar disorder so I felt like I had to hide it. ![]() Maybe that’s where I had been going wrong in my previous relationships. 9.8 million, or 4.0 percent - experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.” Perhaps it was because he has known me through all of my manic and depressive episodes or maybe because he loves me exactly the way I am.Īccording to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. I have behaviors and nuances that cannot always be explained, so it was the biggest relief to feel accepted by someone I wanted in my life long-term. Relationships can be a minefield when it comes to mental illnesses. In an atypical response, I recall my boyfriend shrugging and saying something along the lines of “I figured,” and “So?” “Hey, by the way, there’s something you should probably know about me,” I casually interject into a night of intimate conversations.
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