Kristine Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 Okay I have a problem, I was diagnosed with a mental illness following the death of my father, loss of children, etc. It's a bad one and I'm scared telling him will end things. How do I bring up that I have a mental illness when he thinks I'm sane, yes meds work. No I'm not bipolar it's sz. Well I told you now I have to tell him. How?
alphamale Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 just be honest and hope 4 the best...some people will stick around and some won't. you can;t control that
MizzBlue72 Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 You could start out by testing the waters on how he feels about depression, etc. Then go from there. You can tell a lot about people from their stance on that. If you ARE serious with this guy, then and only then would I tell him. If not, why bother?? If the meds are working, keep it to yourself.
Crazy Magnet Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 Hmmm.....I shall PM you since I finally have that function.
Barky Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 Schizophrenia is a pretty darn serious disease. I have a feeling that if the guy is at all observant he will notice some behavioral signs that aren't quite "right" anyway. And keep in mind it's genetic, not brought on by external factors like PTSD is.
chica_one2002 Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 This is definitely a tricky situation. It seems like your father's death accelerated the onset of schizophrenia (you were going to get it anyways because you carry the gene... but it may have come sooner because of the stress and grief you've been under). The best thing is to be completely open and honest with your SO. This is a major thing in your life so I don't think he'd appreciate hearing about it "down the road." Explain that it is controlled by meds and that as long as you stick to them you'll be the same old you . Also if you're open with him he can do his part by keeping an eye on you to make sure you're okay.
meerkat stew Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 Am no doc, but believe most schizophrenia is very responsive to meds? Be sure to mention this if it's true when disclosing. Half the country is on SSRIs or other meds for emotional or mental problems, so it's not the stigma it used to be.
counterman Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 Set aside a time to tell him and just be completely honest. Either he'll stick by you or go; you can't control that.
TaraMaiden Posted January 27, 2010 Posted January 27, 2010 One way of doing it might be to find some good, positive and encouraging literature on the internet, ask him to read it, then tell him it's about you.... or at least, make sure you have some of the above saved and available for him to view.... Just an option.....
Author Kristine Posted January 27, 2010 Author Posted January 27, 2010 Well thank you. I haven't read my PM yet but I'll get to it. I did bring it up because he's talking of travelling with me to see his brother in Florida, etc. He asked a lot of questions. I answered as best I could. I knew nothing of the disease until diagnosed, and still didn't know much just my experience and for me it was brought on by stress. No one in my family has it. People in the family have depression but no one I'm aware of has sz. He basically told me we're all human and have our issues, and then later asked if he could be my man. He even had asked me what was wrong during the date, but I wasn't ready to tell him, he's very observant and with meds I'm my pre-diagnosed normal self. Truthfully I think I think I had a psychotic break, but the psychiatrists tell me I have sz.
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