How Does Schizophrenia Affect Relationships: 15 Ways

With Talkspace, you can access affordable mental healthcare from the comfort of your own home, when and how you want it. Our therapists are highly qualified and skilled in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia. This will make me sound like a horrible person, but I’ve met and worked with many people with mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, bipolar. The only reason I agree to be in those circumstances is because there is a glass window with people on the other side watching and I have a duress alarm in my pocket. But the stories I hear and the things I hear come out of their mouth, I don’t think I’d ever be able to be in a home environment or relationship with a schizoaffective disorder. Coping with the symptoms of schizophrenia can be difficult for you and your partner.

Experiencing more problems in your relationship.

Plus, according to a study published in October 2017 in the journal Psychiatric Services, caregivers to people who have schizophrenia tend to experience relatively high levels of distress. That’s why it’s important to have access to mental health support, such as a counselor https://onlinedatingcritic.com/ or therapist. Friends and family can also provide a listening ear or a much-needed distraction. Schizophrenia requires lifelong treatment through medication, therapy, or a combination of both. Remember that treatment shouldn’t be halted, even when symptoms have subsided.

A person with schizophrenia will likely behave and speak differently than someone without the disorder. Don’t laugh at, mock or make fun of any faulty reasoning or logic. Maybe there is something you can do to make the person feel at ease. If, for instance, they feel the government is spying on them, offer to cover the windows with aluminum foil to be safe and protected from any scanning/spying devices. “Negative” symptoms (i.e., reductions of typical behavior or mental functioning) such as a lack of emotion , no eye contact, no facial expressions, neglect of hygiene, or social withdrawal. Any number of things, from work stress to money issues, can lead to arguments and put strain on a marriage.

Think About What You Want in a Partner

People with schizotypal personality disorder are more likely to have a relative with schizophrenia. Autistic people can also be very eccentric, have few friends, and be nervous in social situations . People with schizophrenia truly believe their reality is correct and those with schizotypal personality disorder may be receptive to feedback that their reality is distorted. People with schizotypal personality disorder tend to have elaborate odd thinking and speech.

It can make it hard for you to express and effectively convey your emotions and thoughts. Symptoms may also include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech. Dating can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but many people with schizophrenia have loving, supportive relationships. A good relationship can provide you with support and care that can improve your schizophrenia, but a bad one can make it worse. Following your treatment plan to take care of your health is one of the most important parts of building a healthy relationship. Not everyone with schizophrenia experiences all of these.

It’s important to discuss these signs with a doctor, as symptoms for schizophrenia can be similar to those of other mental health conditions. Are you having a tough time thinking clearly, or making sense when you speak? Do you feel like sometimes you see or hear things that might not actually be there? These symptoms can be scary, especially the first time you experience them, and they might be a sign of a mental illness called schizophrenia. When I first met my future husband, Tommy, (we’re still together, after almost seven years of marriage), he already knew I had a mental illness.

I probably would not, my father’s side of the family had a clear and documented history of mental illness. He, his mother, and one of her brothers were hospitalized several times for it and I dealt with the repercussions of his struggles multiple times over the years. I don’t want to be a crutch or a nurturer for a person with a severe mental illness. Since I have already researched it I would prefer to ask how it affects you personally. She has worked in the social work field for 8 years and is currently a professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Go to a trusted friend when you need to vent, and don’t be offended when your partner does the same. Strong connections with others can only help your relationship. 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.

One of the more challenging things about schizophrenia is trouble forming close relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. But studies show that strong social ties that offer emotional and medical support can boost recovery. They can also help manage symptoms in the long run and possibly prevent further psychotic episodes.

Yet for the person with schizophrenia, they have the full force and impact of a normal experience. Hallucinations can be in any of the senses, but hearing voices is the most common hallucination. One way to build those skills is to join a support group where you can meet people who understand and help with what you’re going through. If you need support but aren’t sure where to turn, you can check out Psych Central’s guide to mental health help.