Having a partner with a mental disorder is certainly a big challenge for you. Even though it is difficult to live, it does not mean that the condition cannot be faced together. There are several things you can try so that you are less stressed about your partner's health condition and are more resilient in dealing with it.
Mental disorders or mental disorders are conditions or diseases that cause mood disturbances (mood), a person's thoughts and behavior. Symptoms of this disorder can be felt mild, but some are severe enough to hinder the sufferer's ability to carry out daily activities and work.
There are many diseases that are classified as mental disorders, including:
- Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder.
- Anxiety disorders.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Schizophrenia.
- Eating disorders.
- Personality disorders.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition, mental illness or disorder also includes sexual deviance disorders and addictive behavior (dependence), such as addiction to alcohol, smoking, drugs, pornography, or gambling addiction.
Tips for Accompanying Couples with Mental Disorders
Long before you step into a serious commitment to marriage, it's a good idea to find out if your partner has certain illnesses or health problems, including mental disorders. If there is, the decision to continue the relationship to the level of marriage is in the hands of you and your partner.
But if you find out about your new partner's illness after marriage, try not to panic and be patient in dealing with it. Not all mental illness can destroy domestic relationships, how come. You can still establish a harmonious household with your partner even though he has a mental disorder.
Some of the following ways you can do to maintain a relationship with a partner who has a mental disorder:
1. Educate yourself
Mental disorders can make sufferers become sensitive, irritable, sad, emotional, lack energy, or feel powerless to carry out daily activities.
Therefore, it is important for you to seek information and educate yourself properly regarding mental disorders suffered by your partner. You can get this information from a doctor or psychologist who handles it.
Armed with this education, you can better understand what your partner is feeling and can accompany him, especially when he shows symptoms of mental illness.
2. Express love and affection
People with mental disorders may feel insecure, embarrassed, and reluctant to meet or interact with other people because of their mental disorders.
To provide encouragement and support, as a partner you need to express your love and affection for him. Tell him that you really love him, even though he suffers from the condition.
By establishing a quality relationship, you and your partner can deal with this difficult situation better. It can also make your partner's self-confidence gradually increase.
3. Keep doing activities together
Having a mental disorder does not mean that your partner has to be confined at home and isolated from the environment and the outside world, especially if his condition is stable and does not need to be treated in a mental hospital.
As his partner, invite him to just take an afternoon walk outside the house or do activities that you both enjoy, such as watching movies at the cinema, exercising, or going on excursions to tourist attractions.
Even though it's not easy, that doesn't mean you can't try it. Don't let your partner's mental state interfere with your intimacy.
4.Be a good listener
One of the things that people with mental disorders really need is to have other people who can listen to their complaints with empathy and openly.
Therefore, as a good partner, you need to be a good listener to your partner and understand all his complaints as long as he feels disturbing symptoms.
But if your partner is not ready to share stories about their illness with you, try to be patient and don't force them. If you have trouble understanding what your partner is trying to convey, you can ask a psychiatrist or psychologist for help when accompanying your partner for counseling.
5. Try to always be there for him
Living with a mental disorder is not an easy thing for your partner to go through. Therefore, try to always be there for him. Accompany him when they want to do psychotherapy or undergo treatment.
But when your partner asks for time to himself, try to understand and let him know that you are always there for him.
Having a partner with a mental disorder may take up your time and energy. However, don't forget to take care of yourself. Try to get enough sleep every day, eat healthy and nutritious foods, reduce stress, and still have time to relax "me time".
Mental disorders experienced by your partner may indeed be a problem in your relationship or household. However, partner a good life will not leave his partner just because of an illness, right? Rest assured that you and your partner are able to get through this ordeal in your relationship.
Remember that your support is very influential on his condition. In addition to getting support from you, your family, and the surrounding environment, couples who have mental disorders also need to regularly consult with a psychiatrist to get the right treatment and evaluation.
