Dating A Girl With Schizophrenia

Jenni Jacobsen is a licensed social worker with a master's degree in social work from The Ohio State University, and she is in the process of completing her dissertation Read more. One way that schizophrenia can negatively affect people is in terms of interpersonal functioning. So, how does schizophrenia affect relationships? Learn information about schizophrenia and relationships, as well as how to support a partner with this mental health condition, below. Before jumping into what you can expect from schizophrenia relationships , it is important to understand the symptoms of this mental health disorder. Schizophrenia is classified as a psychotic disorder, and as such, people experience the following symptoms of schizophrenia:. These are irrational beliefs that a person maintains, even when provided with evidence that the beliefs are not true. For instance, a person may believe that they have special powers, such as the ability to read minds. This often involves hearing or seeing things that are not actually present.

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15 things to know before dating someone with schizophrenia

Disorganized speech: A person with schizophrenia may speak in a way that others cannot understand because they shift rapidly from one topic to the next. Behaviors that fall under this category include lack of speech, strange movements, sitting still for long periods, or other movements that are generally perceived as strange. The negative symptoms of schizophrenia include a lack of motivation and a lack of interest in major areas of life, including relationships. A person with negative symptoms may also show a lack of emotion. To meet the criteria for schizophrenia, a person must experience dysfunction in major areas of life, such as work or relationships, and evidence of a mental health disturbance must be present for at least six months. Consider the 15 ways below:. A person with schizophrenia may have difficulty reading social cues, such as hints that you want them to help with household chores. This means they may need direct instructions about what is expected. Schizophrenia can cause people to lose interest in pleasurable activities, including sex. You may find that there is a lack of intimacy in your relationship. Remember that being in a relationship with a person with schizophrenia can lead to intimacy issues because of the side effects of the antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia.

The Social and Relationship Challenges of Schizophrenia

The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can lead to difficulty expressing emotions. Remember that this is a symptom of their mental health condition, not a reflection of how they feel about you. Another negative symptom of schizophrenia is experiencing a lack of pleasure or interest in activities that most people would enjoy. Your partner with schizophrenia may not seem very excited about doing things together, such as going out to dinner, traveling, or sharing hobbies. You may not always understand the behavior of your partner. Remember that schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, which can lead to delusional and paranoid behavior that may not always make sense to you. A relationship with a person with schizophrenia may mean communication does not always go as planned. This can also mean that when you try to address relationship problems or conflict, your partner has difficulty even having a conversation. Having schizophrenia can make it difficult for a person to maintain a full-time job, and your partner may even need to rely upon disability benefits to support themselves. You may be relied upon to be the breadwinner, or you may have to provide significant financial support because disability benefits are rarely enough to cover all major living expenses for a family. Antipsychotic medications can be very helpful for people who live with schizophrenia, as they can make symptoms more manageable. However, they can also come with significant side effects. Living with a schizophrenic partner can mean helping them to manage medication side effects. You may also have to encourage them to continue taking their medication or remind them to take it daily. The unfortunate truth is that people may have a negative attitude toward people with mental health conditions like schizophrenia.

How Does Schizophrenia Affect Relationships: 15 Ways

You may experience judgment from others if your partner has schizophrenia, and family members may even question your choice to have a romantic relationship with a person with schizophrenia. You may find that your partner will shut down emotionally if you try to discuss an important topic with them. They may also have difficulty understanding your feelings or expressing their own. Sometimes, hallucinations and delusions linked to schizophrenia can lead your partner to become paranoid. Learning to cope with these accusations can be a challenge. Romantic relationships can be challenging for people who live with schizophrenia. They may lack romantic interest, or they may not understand romance. They may have difficulty expressing affection or communicating a romantic desire to you. Coping with the symptoms of schizophrenia can be difficult for you and your partner. Being in a relationship with someone who experiences a severe mental health condition can add additional stress to your life. Research suggests that the partners of people with schizophrenia tend to perceive an average to a high amount of problems within the relationship. If your partner has schizophrenia, there are things you can do to cope with the challenges that come along with this mental health condition. First, you need to remember not to take their behavior personally. Remember that your partner has a serious mental health condition, and their behaviors reflect this. You may feel they do not care for you or are not interested in spending time together, but this is not because of anything you have done wrong. It is because of the way their mental health condition affects them. You might also consider joining a support group for loved ones of people with mental health conditions. In these groups, you can learn from others experiencing similar challenges and share your feelings in a safe setting.Finally, it would be best if you practiced self-care. Make time for your hobbies and interests, and care for yourself with regular exercise and proper nutrition. Taking time to relax and meet your needs makes you better able to cope with the challenges that come with living with a schizophrenic partner. Relationships can be challenging whether a person has schizophrenia or another mental health condition. Dating or marrying someone with a mental health condition means you will be exposed to the symptoms of their condition. Mental health conditions interfere with life functioning, making it difficult for people to communicate, express emotions, or develop satisfying interpersonal relationships. They can also make it difficult to perform successfully at work, adding a layer of stress to relationships. The good news is that treatment is available, and you and your partner can learn to cope. How can you achieve this? Consider the tips below. Taking time to learn about schizophrenia gives you a greater understanding of what your partner is experiencing. This allows you to empathize with them and gives you a better idea of what you can expect, so their behavior and symptoms are not as surprising. Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition but is manageable with quality treatment. Encouraging your spouse or significant other to stay in treatment is one of the best things you can do to support them. Sometimes the mental health care system can be difficult to navigate. Your partner may not be apt to reach out on their own, so it can be helpful if you encourage them to seek support or help to link them to sources of support, such as a support group or vocational rehabilitation center. The truth is that when someone with schizophrenia experiences hallucinations and delusions, these experiences are very real for them. A severe mental health condition like schizophrenia can make relationships more difficult.

I Have Schizophrenia: Will I Ever Find Someone to Love Me?

However, with ongoing treatment, individuals with schizophrenia can enjoy committed relationships. There is a significant stigma surrounding mental health conditions like schizophrenia, so you may automatically assume that you should leave if your partner has schizophrenia. If your partner with schizophrenia is not seeking treatment and their behavior creates significant stress, you may have to leave the relationship. You should not feel obligated to stay in a relationship where none of your needs are met, especially if your partner does not seek treatment to alleviate symptoms like bizarre behavior. Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that leads to hallucinations and delusions, bizarre behavior, and difficulty showing emotions. These symptoms can make it difficult for individuals with schizophrenia to maintain relationships. However, with effective treatment, and a little understanding from their partner, a person with schizophrenia can have healthy, successful relationships. You may also benefit from couples counseling to better understand each other. Jenni Jacobsen is a licensed social worker with a master's degree in social work from The Ohio State University, and she is in the process of completing her dissertation for a Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology. She has worked Read more in the social work field for 8 years and is currently a professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She writes website content about mental health, addiction, and fitness. Read less. Take Course. Parenting Family Pregnancy. Learn about Our Editorial Process.

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In This Article Toggle. Symptoms of schizophrenia. How to deal with a schizophrenic partner. Mental health conditions and relationship challenges. Five tips for supporting your partner with schizophrenia. The takeaway. Share this article on Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share on Pintrest. Share on Whatsapp. Want to have a happier, healthier marriage? By Rachael Pace. You May Also Like. Recent Articles. Popular Topics On Marriage Help. Dating with schizophrenia presents several challenges.

Dealing with Schizophrenia in a Romantic Partnership

It can also be more difficult to build and maintain a healthy, intimate relationship. Psychotic symptoms, difficulty expressing emotions and making social connections, a tendency to be isolated, and other issues get in the way of meeting friends and establishing relationships. Finding love while living with schizophrenia, however, is far from impossible. It begins with good, ongoing treatment and continues with patience, practice, and persistence. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can cause significant dysfunction in daily life and in relationships. It does not, however, mean that you cannot have healthy, satisfying relationships. There is nothing about the illness that makes you unlovable. Living with schizophrenia means finding ways to minimize and cope with symptoms. It also means working hard to develop meaningful social connections. You may have to try harder than others, but you can and should find someone who loves you for who you are. You can build a strong relationship together that meets both of your needs. Schizophrenia can make it difficult for you to have healthy relationships.The illness impacts how you connect with and interact with people, from your family to acquaintances to friends and romantic interests. Several of the symptoms, as well as complicating factors , can make it difficult to socialize with schizophrenia and to develop and maintain close relationships:. Not everyone with schizophrenia experiences all of these. Everyone is different, but when even a few complications and symptoms appear, they can get in the way of a healthy, intimate relationship. Additionally, even if you feel prepared and ready to meet someone, the stigma of having a severe mental illness may hold you back. Living with schizophrenia, it is possible to meet people, to socialize and make friends, and to have a loving intimate relationship. The best way to find a path to a healthy relationship is to treat your illness. Schizophrenia is not a flaw or weakness; it is a real disease. As a chronic disease, it requires ongoing treatment. If you have struggled to connect with others, treatment can help. First, it helps indirectly by giving you tools for reducing symptoms and managing them when they arise.

Advice for Dating Someone with a Mental Illness

Medications and therapy help you keep symptoms under control, which in turn will make it easier for you to meet people and establish close relationships. More specifically, treatment will directly tackle the issue of relationships. It starts with your family and fellow residents in treatment. Therapists work with you to learn how to connect with people. Treatment builds the foundation for being able to develop healthy relationships. When you feel ready, start with friendships and meeting new people. Take your time and progress at your comfort level. When you are ready to date, here are some tips that may help:. Maintaining a healthy relationship that is satisfying for both of you takes work. Couples with mental illness benefit from advice from experts :. Everyone deserves to have a loving relationship, but it may take more time for you. Get the treatment you need, work on improving existing relationships, and date when you feel the time is right. BrightQuest offers long-term treatment for people struggling with complex mental illnesses. Contact us to learn more about our renowned program and how we can help you or your loved one start the journey toward recovery. Treatment for Schizophrenia at BrightQuest. Our Locations. Our Program. We are here to listen compassionately. Our free, confidential telephone consultation will help you find treatment that will work for you, whether it is with us or a different program.We can guide you in approaching a loved one who needs treatment. Skip to content Admissions Search for:. The Social and Relationship Challenges of Schizophrenia Schizophrenia can make it difficult for you to have healthy relationships. Several of the symptoms, as well as complicating factors , can make it difficult to socialize with schizophrenia and to develop and maintain close relationships: Hallucinations and delusions. These characteristic symptoms are not continuously present, but when they do arise, they interfere with relationships. Disorganized thinking and behaviors. The way you think with schizophrenia can make you act and speak in ways difficult for others to understand. This presents a barrier to getting close to someone. Negative symptoms. Many people with schizophrenia have negative symptoms, for instance, reduced emotional expression or lack of interest in activities and socializing. It can be tough for others to read you or to connect when you feel withdrawn. Other mental illnesses. Schizophrenia often co-occurs or even triggers anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges that can hold you back from socializing, meeting new people, and connecting with others.

Dating With Schizophrenia

Inability to live independently. If you live at home or in a group home because of symptoms or resulting financial difficulties, it can be hard to meet someone. Inability to work or go to school. Being unable to function in a workplace or school also makes it difficult to meet new people and work on socializing and developing friendships. Antipsychotic medications. Medications may help you manage symptoms, but they also cause side effects that could hinder close relationships. For instance, sexual dysfunction is a side effect of antipsychotics, and experts believe it is an underreported issue. They also cause weight gain, which can impact self-esteem. How Treatment Can Help You Build Relationships Living with schizophrenia, it is possible to meet people, to socialize and make friends, and to have a loving intimate relationship. Tips for Dating With Schizophrenia Treatment builds the foundation for being able to develop healthy relationships. When you are ready to date, here are some tips that may help: Set reasonable expectations. It may take you longer to find someone and you may face more challenges.Go slow, and date at a pace you feel comfortable with. Be patient with someone you meet and like who is hesitant when they find out you have schizophrenia. Talk to them about what it means and how you cope. Give them the chance to accept your diagnosis and decide if it is something they can live with. Work on your mental health and relationships with family and friends until you feel ready again. Call For a Confidential Phone Assessment. Couples with mental illness benefit from advice from experts : Educate your partner. Education about mental illness is so important for understanding it and being compassionate. If your partner has never been with or around someone with schizophrenia, they should consider a psychoeducation program, maybe from the facility where you received treatment. Focus on communication. This is true for all relationships, not just those with mental illness.

“It’s Complicated”: Schizophrenia and Relationships

Prioritize clear communication, bringing up issues and challenges as soon as they arise. How does your dip into a delusion make your partner feel? When you refuse to go out with friends and they complain, are they being selfish or showing concern? Rely on a support network. You each need friends and family to rely on for support. Strong connections with others can only help your relationship. Keep up with treatment. Schizophrenia is not going away. It is a chronic disease that will come back if you neglect treatment. For yourself as an individual and for your relationship, continue with treatment, even if only an occasional outpatient therapy session or support group meeting. Previous Next. Related Blogs. Raised by a Parent With Schizophrenia August 11, July 20, July 15, Help is only a phone call away. Learn More. Take the first step.We're here to help. Call for a free confidential assessment. Email Us. We're here to listen. How Can We Help? Contact Us. Thank you for your request for information. Admissions What I lack in culinary expertise and concentration I more than make up for in a caring nature and sensitivity. While you should never avoid dating someone with schizophrenia because of tabloid headlines or bleak Hollywood stereotypes, there are some things here you may like to weigh up before getting involved further. A side effect of anti-psychotic medication can mean I struggle with concentrating for more than 20 minutes. Schizophrenia is one of the most disabling of mental illnesses, so expect me to travel with a Disabled Rail Card because my car insurance is sky-high. There are all kinds of complications and success as well as horror stories pertaining to schizophrenia and pregnancy due to the effects of medication. Most people with schizophrenia that I have met have been very generous to those willing to stand by them, thanks to the stigma from others we experience on a day to day basis. MORE : 12 things you only know if you have schizophrenia. Share this article via whatsapp Share this article via twitter Copy link Share this article via facebook Share this with Share this article via messenger Share this article via email Share this article via sms Share this article via flipboard. See All To the beautiful redhead reading the book about mushrooms on the Liverpool… To the tipsy bloke on the Jubilee line train between Westminster and…. Get us in your feed Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter. Ahead, mental health professionals share why schizophrenia can affect your sexual and romantic relationships and offer tips for dating mindfully and safely.