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Why is my mental health ruining my relationship?

Many people with mental health conditions may feel inadequate and have performance anxiety and low self-esteem. For both partners, this can lead to a decreased opportunity for bonding and result in unmet needs. The risk of codependent behaviors.

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Nearly half of adults experience a mental illness at least once in their lifetime. Research and practical experience tell us that mental illness can cause a person to have decreased quality of life, decreased productivity and employment, and even impaired physical health. A mental illness—including post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcoholism—can also affect a person’s relationships. There may be no relationship more affected by mental illness than the intimate relationship between partners. The good news is that it’s possible to be in a healthy, loving, and long-term partnership with someone who has a mental illness. If this is relevant to you, be aware of the unique challenges you and your partner may face, and utilize resources and strategies that will help you grow and nurture your relationship.

3 Ways Mental Illness Can Affect an Intimate Relationship

The following issues are common within couples affected by mental illness. No two relationships are the exact same, so it’s important to take into context your unique relationship so you’ll be able to identify where you may need additional guidance. Shame, guilt, and resentment. Having a mental illness is hard enough, but the stigma associated with mental health conditions can add an extra layer of stress for both partners. The person with a mental illness may feel shame, embarrassment, or guilt about their condition. They may try to hide their symptoms or fail to seek the help they need. Meanwhile, their partner may feel confused or frustrated by their inability to help. In some cases, a person with depression or anxiety may find it difficult to follow through with household tasks, have limited emotional availability, struggle to maintain employment, and lack the desire to socialize. For their partner, these behaviors and challenges can put a strain on the relationship which may lead to feelings of disappointment, rejection, and disconnect. Intimacy problems. Having a mental illness can make a person disinterested in sex—either as a result of the condition itself and/or as a result of their treatment. (Decreased libido is a common side effect of antidepressant medications.). Many people with mental health conditions may feel inadequate and have performance anxiety and low self-esteem. For both partners, this can lead to a decreased opportunity for bonding and result in unmet needs. The risk of codependent behaviors. Codependency is an unhealthy relationship pattern that manifests as one partner enabling another person’s poor mental health, addiction, and/or coping strategies. The partner of a person with mental illness may start to derive their self-worth from the degree to which they are “needed” or how much they are able to “take care of” their loved one. In extreme cases, codependency can increase the risk of abusive behaviors, including manipulation, name-calling, and other unhealthy dynamics. Knowing how to distinguish the need to encourage and support from the co-dependent nature of managing the other person’s symptoms will help. Having a partner affected by a mental health condition can be navigated in a relationship if both partners have the skills and awareness to cope and communicate through these challenges. This is why a paradigm shift is needed: People should feel empowered to seek help if they or their loved one is struggling with mental health. Mental illness is not a character flaw nor a moral issue. Yes, people need to be held responsible for their actions and behaviors—but they also deserve context, understanding, and support so they can learn how to manage their well-being, heal from past trauma, and honor their partner’s experience.

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What does the Bible say about not trusting a man?

“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” The Good News: God's trust does not waver, while a person's trust can, as we are only human. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

Trust can be a difficult attribute to find in a person, whether it is in a friend or a romantic partner. Past experiences may have you on your toes about placing your trust in someone again. Or maybe you are in a complicated situation where the honest truth may be hard to deliver. If you are looking for inspirational scripture, there are Bible verses about trust that provide wisdom and clarity when it comes to the power of trustworthiness and honesty. Keeping faith and having hope is not just about putting your trust in God, but also understanding the meaning of trust at its core. Being honest and always speaking the truth are virtues that are easier to value than to actually put in practice. But this list of the best Bible verses about trust will give you the inspiration to carry out your values as well as better comprehend the importance of choosing honesty in your everyday life. Most people have let a lie slip from their lips at least once in their life — we are only human, after all. When you make efforts to be a trustworthy individual, you will not only be seen by God, but you will also welcome stronger and more authentic relationships into your life. After all, trust is a two-way street. So, share a few of these Bible verses about trust with a loved one so you can both find the strength to maintain your hope, faith, and trust — even in the hard times.

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