Navigating Love with a Mentally Ill Partner
Self-care and boundaries make living together possible.
Loving and living with someone with a mental illness can be exhausting and stressful. According to Psychology Today, nearly half of all adults experience mental illness at some point in their life. It is time we talk more about it and eliminate the stigmas attached to mental illness. Mental illness includes PTSD, CPTSD, Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and alcoholism.
It is essential to practice good self-care and set boundaries when living with someone with a mental illness. You may start to feel isolated because your partner is socially withdrawn. It is important to stay socially plugged into a supportive network.
Signs Your Partner May Have a Mental Illness
- Appetite or sleep changes. This may be an increase or decrease in appetite or sleep.
- Mood swings or emotional outbursts
- Depression
- Unhealthy coping mechanisms: alcohol, drugs, gambling, workaholic, shopaholic, eating addictions…
- Social withdrawal
Intimacy With Your Partner
Intimacy may be difficult with a mentally ill or unstable partner. Foster an intimate relationship by practicing empathy and compassion for your partner. Practice active listening so your partner feels heard, understood, and validated. Your job is not to be their therapist; leave that to a trained professional. Just let them know you are there to support them and that you love them.
Avoid enabling unhealthy behaviors. Acknowledge and celebrate small victories.
Prioritize Your Well-Being
It is very easy to start taking on the feeling of your partner. Practicing good self-care will allow you to remain physically and mentally healthy and strong.
Ideas for Good Self-Care
- Good sleep habits, even if this means sleeping separately from your partner.
- Eat healthy, non-processed foods.
- Get physical activity (good for the body and mind.)
- Opt outside.
- Enjoy personal activities and hobbies.
- Journal and practice positive affirmations.
- Spend time with friends and family, allowing yourself to have fun.
- Practice meditation.
Final Thoughts
Signs of Caregiver Burnout
- Physical and mental exhaustion
- Fatigue
- Increased anxiety or depression
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Feelings of overwhelm
If you experience signs of caregiver burnout, it is essential to seek professional help. Consider individual as well as couples therapy. Therapy can provide coping and communication skills and help set effective boundaries to protect your emotional well-being.
You might also consider a short overnight getaway for yourself to rest and rejuvenate or even a day at a local spa.
It is entirely possible to have a successful relationship with someone with a mental illness. Being aware, honest, and transparent about what is happening is vital. Seek professional help when necessary, and take care of yourself in addition to nurturing the relationship.
It is okay to leave the relationship if your partner becomes destructive. If they are draining your energy and not trying to care for themselves and respect your boundaries, you need to do what is best for yourself.
Please comment and share your personal experiences of relationships with someone with mental illness. ❤️ Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel, where I share short daily videos on relationships, emotional intelligence, spirituality, office yoga, and more.
Peace & Light,
Libby
Please be aware of the growing problem on Medium with scammers cloning writers' identities. Aiden (Illumination Gaming) describes what is happening very well in this article. Please report it immediately by pressing the three black dots in the top right corner of the comments. Sadly, I have seen these coming from those who look to be editors, but they are cloned accounts.
Do You talk to yourself as kindly as you speak to others? Huzaifa Irfan 🐛wrote an excellent article. We all need to practice kind self-talk. Please take a moment to read and clap for his wisdom.
