Would you date someone with severe mental illnesses? Why/why not?

29 comments

1. Definitely not. I just don’t want to take that on.

   It would add a ton of stress to the relationship… and stress isn’t what I’m looking for in a relationship.

2. Noooooooooope, it’s not worth it in the end. At least for me it isn’t. Like I had enough with friends and knowing other people who have those sorts of issues, along with dating a few gals who had BPD. Even if they are actively working on those issues it’s just not something I have the patience for anymore.

3. I did once, unknowingly, and it was a disaster. I appreciate people being open, but I couldn’t do it again without it being situated.

4. Did it once, most horrible 6 years of my life.

5. If you care about your and their mental health, no.

6. Nope. Absolutely not.

7. No, I would not. Not tryna end up as someone’s caretaker. The extra hassle isn’t worth it.

8. No. Never again, to draining

9. No way.

   There are other, better, safer options.

10. Depends. If they’re actively treating it, taking their meds (if applicable), and have learned to live with it rather than let it control everything they do, then sure. If their illness isn’t being treated, they’re resistant to treatment, or give their illness control of their lives, then that’s a big red flag.

11. Not severe. Maybe mild/under control depending what it is and what they’re doing about it.

12. Did it as well. Nightmare 3 years and a shit ton of money pissed away.

13. I have and after helping him over time he’s become a better man 🙂

14. Only a masochist would do it.

15. I’d date someone with mental illnesses but not someone with “severe” mental illnesses. To me that means that the illness is still a massive problem, they gotta at least have it under control for me to consider dating them.

16. Sure I have some myself

17. Nope, I have dysthymia, a mild form of chronic depression. Even just dealing with myself is tough enough sometimes. I couldn’t imagine dating someone with a severe or debilitating mental illness.

18. No, my severe mental illness is as much an issue as I can tackle in a relationship. If my wife was crazy too, it would be misery.

19. It keeps ending in disaster. And thing is I’m always patient I never lose patience with them they always lose patience with me sometimes for the patience and it’s like what the fuck dude

20. My wife has issues with depression and anxiety as well as PTSD. Her symptoms are well-managed through a combination of therapy and medication and honestly I think her perspective on things has helped me grow. And her experience in therapy has helped us have really good communication.

21. Nope. I don’t want a chaotic or a dragged pace in life. I have shit to do and peaceful, stress free days I desire.

22. i (20m) was living with a girl (23f) and after about a year, we had an argument over some petty shit, she ended up grabbing the bread knife from our kitchen and ran into the bathroom and started stabbing herself. i kicked through the bathroom door and wrestled the knife out her hand and held her down so i could see where she was bleeding (meanwhile she’s freaking out yelling for me to let her die) i pull here phone out from her bra and call her dad because i was 20 and freaked out and didn’t want to call the police. he ends up calling the police to our house anyway and the paramedics dragged her away. 2 days later she called me from the psych ward at the hospital, telling me that she wanted to apologize for not telling me that she had stopped taking her schizophrenia medication (which i didn’t know she had) almost 2 years ago cold turkey and this was a moment that she could e predicted would happen.

    i’ll admit that it scarred me, i’ve been single since, i cannot trust women and i feel ive been on a depressive spiral from that point on. i can’t stop reliving it in my head, it’s been almost 8 years. that moment has basically ruined me.

23. Depends on the illness

24. As someone trying to overcome his *own,* no. I sympathize, really, but I know its tough enough if the person is trying to get better. I know its a nightmare if they don’t care about getting better.

25. I did, OMG!!!! The fun part was being accused of everything she did. Never ever again!

26. SEVERE? FUCK NO

    I aint got that kind of patience

27. I’might if the person put the effort to treat it, after one too many experiences with someone with a mental illness who didn’t accept it and refused any kind of treatment.

28. No. I already spent 3 years doing that and trying to take care of her and always put her well-being first. She hates me, she’s no better off than before she met me and now I have trauma. 0/10 Never again

    I’ll fuck with some mild shit. Some depression, anxiety… no worries, I’m here for her. But no hardcore shit.

29. I’ve learned the very hard way that you should most definitely not.

    Someone that has good mental health is such a great breath of fresh air, and leads to a deeper, more relaxed authentic relationship.