Monday, April 3, 2017

Dating with Schizophrenia? 5 Tips for Finding Lasting Love

For many years, you have avoided dating altogether.  The memories of past relationship failures have been a painful roadblock to any future happiness you might envision.  Because of your schizophrenia, you may feel that you're destined to live alone.  If this scenario sounds familiar, you do have hope.  If you're ready to give dating a try again, consider the following 5 tips for finding lasting love.

Seek Social Skills Therapy


Many sufferers of schizophrenia feel vulnerable or even paranoid in certain social situations.  People may experience these paralyzing feelings when in a dating setting.  If you're tired of the isolation associated with your condition, you should think about seeking social skills therapy.  Ask your trusted physician about the availability of social skills training in your area.  In a non-threatening environment, you will be able to work on communicating and relating with others. 

Join a Support Group


If you're struggling with mental illness alone, join a support group.  Ask your physician about local support groups for schizophrenia or mental disorders in your area.  You can also search for reputable support groups online.  Social networking provides great opportunities to meet and get to know people all over the world who are dealing with schizophrenia.  In the process, you may become more comfortable sharing information about yourself with others.  This practice will help prepare you for dating in the future.  You might even meet that special someone in a support group.

Don't Try to Hide Your Illness


As you start going out on dates, don't try to hide your illness.  When getting to know someone, always be proactive and upfront about your disorder.  While you might successfully be able to hide your schizophrenia for a while, your loved one will eventually discover the truth.  Then, he or she will probably feel betrayed.  Your love interest might not be able to trust you in the future. 

Educate Your Date


When you confide in a date that you have schizophrenia, she or he will probably barrage you with many questions.  Take this opportunity to educate your new love interest about your condition.  Dispel any myths that your date may have about this disorder.  As much as possible, try to explain your condition in a serious, but lighthearted manner.  Talk with your love interest about your treatment regimen.  Tell him or her what types of behaviors to expect.  In sharing this information, your date will probably be a lot more comfortable with the situation.


Know When to Move On


Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to accept or cope with dating someone with schizophrenia.  After several months of dating, if your loved one is still hesitant about the relationship or afraid of you, you should probably move on.  You deserve to be with someone who will wholeheartedly accept you for who you are.  Remember, you won't ever meet the person you're meant to be with if you stay in a bad relationship.

Dating with schizophrenia can be challenging, emotional, and scary.  However, the happiness of finding lasting love is unmistakable.  If you're failing at the dating game, follow the aforementioned 5 tips.

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