Dating someone with schizophrenia

I'm starting to date someone with fairly treatment resistant paranoid schizophrenia, so I'm pretty new to the world of being a carer I guess. I'm.
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I think that dating is something that I might be able to do. Call me a romantic, but I think love can exist for a person with schizophrenia if the conditions are right. It can exist if the friendship is there, if the stability is there, if the humor is there and if the self-confidence is there. It takes work and it takes time to develop those things. I do think, though, that it can happen, and not just with people who are also sick but with actual normal human beings. At least I would hope for as much.

Schizophrenia and... SEX!!!

Find help or get online counseling now. Retrieved on January 17, , from https: So if you are still not seeing this person seriously, consider whether you will be able to get emotionally involved with someone who requires long term treatment and support. Be informed At the same time however, there are many people with schizophrenia who are leading rewarding and meaningful lives in their communities. In such a situation the first thing you need to do is gather as much information about the illness as you can.

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and disabling brain disorder with severe symptoms like Hallucinations, paranoia, delusions and altered perceptions of reality.

Scientists believe several genes are associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia, but that no gene causes the disease by itself. Other experts are of the opinion that an imbalance in the complex, interrelated chemical reactions of the brain involving the neurotransmitters. Treatment for the conditions ranges from anti-psychotic medication to stabilize most severe symptoms to psychosocial treatments which help patients deal with the everyday challenges of the illness, such as difficulty with communication, self-care, work, and forming and keeping relationships.

Being informed about various aspects of schizophrenia will not only help you to understand the difficulties being faced by your partner but also enable you to be cued into medications, their side effects and drug interactions — all of which can have an impact on your personal relationship.

Be prepared Even though there are different types of schizophrenia, almost all lead to very difficult relationships. If you are dating someone who you believe may have the condition, it is important to learn how your role, as the partner, can adversely affect the symptoms of the schizophrenia. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. In extreme cases, like the delusional phase of illness, a schizophrenic person may have distorted perceptions of reality which is why even the most simple of activities by you could be misinterpreted and then cause the schizophrenic partner to begin making accusations that are unfounded.

When dating a person with delusional schizophrenia, therefore, it is important to recognize when the delusions may be sneaking up on your relationship and find a way to diffuse them as much as possible. A prince charming, a house, independence, no rules, just love… just love. Until one day, the perfect fairytale came to an end.

Dating with Schizophrenia

I just sat there and listened to him. I knew what it meant. He continued to tell me that he heard voices, that sometimes he would see me talking but hear a completely different voice cursing him, judging him. He continued to tell me everything, I felt like I met a whole different person.

This Is What It’s Honestly Like To Fall In Love With A Schizophrenic | Thought Catalog

Far from that sweet, cuddly, loving prince that I thought he was. He told me how the doctor said he is incurable. He told me everything over and over, and he was sitting there, gripping on his last bottle of beer, as if it was his sanity that he was holding on to. I grabbed the bottle from his hand and hugged him, hoping that if I hold him tightly it would take away his sickness. It was never the same again after that conversation. The once fairytale story became a living hell in most days.

His situation got worse when he started believing he was doing fine without his medication. He was a completely different person.

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There were times when he would suddenly shout at me and tell me I was trying to kill him. There were times he would tell me my friends were talking shit about him. Even if I do, he never believed me. I turned off the lights, one night, after his long episode of schizophrenia.