Dating With Mental Illness

I have a few mental health issues going on, and I want to date soon, but I'm scared to. In my case, I feel like I would become too clingy or they wouldn't care what I would have to say. Personally, I have friends with mental illness that have been in relationships. As long as its no harm to anybody involved's physical or mental health, there is no issue.

 

jazmine01 , I know you said you have tried therapy and find it hard and feel like crap afterwards but what i am finding out therapy is not easy.I started last week and the next day was in tears and well down. Have you tried the medication route see if they could help you alittle ?

Well that is the question " Can you love someone if you don't love yourself ". I see jonsomebody where you were going with you story, thanks for sharing as it was personel. About him loving himself too much in his narrasictic manner. Lucky you are alright mate.

Does anyone truely love themselves, fair enough varying degrees . I think as long as you are honest with people and start as friends then they get to know you before friendship turns into anything else.

Having gone through severe depression ,self harm ,suicide attempts and now the anxiety is the one that remains.

 

Hi Jazzi! Well I think the first thing we can do is dump that dumb saying. Or else it just becomes a chicken-and-egg circle that doesn't help at all.

Being mentally ill is like having a sprained ankle: something is wrong that is not your fault, and should be treated. Would you avoid anti-inflammatories and just try to "un-swell" by yourself?

My two cents is that you don't have to disclose all your frailties right away when dating. Even if you're on meds. (Anti-depressants make it hard to orgasm, I have been bitten by that, and have had partners likewise.) But a (good) relationship is the best anti-depressant. Remember, every other person has their issues too (like National Geographic, as the saying goes). Anyone who can't handle your imperfections is wrong for you anyway.

You have my sympathy. It is terrible when one's "it's not worth it" meter is stuck full-on. You can't talk yourself out of it, or you would have already done that. Meds help. Life helps more.

 

Being on EC is good therapy. Even though -- as we all discover -- our thoughts and our feelings aren't the same thing. What's worst is being anxious about depression: what if it really hits me while I'm on a date/out with friends/driving on a bridge/bla bla. Nobody deserves it.

Don't be afraid to ask (OK pester) your doc about experimenting with meds. Zoloft and Prozac did nothing for me... except make me fat. Rawr! Lexapro better, Wellbutrin best. Just my experience, but you are your own unique person. Something will be the right key for your lock. Love works best. xo

P.S.: Make good use of your national health system. You've probably heard about our issues down here. (I know California won't let me down but still things should be better. Health care per se is great... paying for it is not.)