I am diagnosed with Bipolar II, major depression, and anxiety.
He is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, anxiety, and has a past of severe and horrifying sexual abuse as a child.
That all sounds like a recipe for disaster, huh?
We're both fucking crazy... but also crazy about each other and comitted to each other. Comitted to each other's wellbeing, happiness, health, and constantly are each other's rocks and anchors. We've learned how to deal with each other in constructive ways. We've learned how to ask how we can help when the other partner is having a "moment". We've learned to tell each other what we need in specific circumstances. We are also comitted to improving our mental health by staying on our meds, staying with counselling and never ever missing a doctor appointment or med dose.
We've dealt with so so much in the short 6 months of being together. We were friends for a year before that, so we sort of knew what we were each getting into. It's been extremely difficult at times, but totally worth it.
I think the key to success for us is: openness, honesty, not afraid to ask for help from each other, open communication, mutual support, and love. We also want to see each other be the best people we can be. We both know we can never fix/heal each other from our past hurts but we can navigate the mine field with grace, understanding, patience, determination, effort, and love.
We are so in love and are planning to get married next year. He is the best friend I always wished I had. Someone who loves me unconditionally and will never abandon me or call me crazy.
I just wanted to share our story in hopes that others will be inspired.. to know its possible to have a healthy relationship despite being so fucked up.
Love,
S.
