My mind swims with thoughts that he deserves so much better than what I have to offer. According to a survey conducted by Psych Guides, 35% of people who have mental health disorders feel they aren't good enough for their partners. Societal stigmas around mental illness are alive and well -- and hurting our ability to have healthy relationships.
When you have a mental illness, you worry about scaring partners away: What if I sound crazy?
But that doesn't make disclosing your mental health status to someone you've just starting seeing any less awkward or difficult.
Sometimes, people in relationships will disclose it out of necessity, particularly if their symptoms are noticeable.
Chris*, 28, also says he discloses his mental illness to potential partners right off the bat.
I love gloomy Victorian novels, obscure Korean horror films, Premier League soccer, and knitting.
I'm 5-foot-5, slim, with brown hair and brown eyes. I suffer from mental illness.” Finally verging on being over a long-term, on-and-off relationship, I am both excited and terrified at the prospect of a new one.
On one hand, I am the most self-confident I have ever been.
I feel horrible shame that my partner has to deal with my anxiety, even when his love and support give me no logical reason to feel this way.
Often, and unfairly, I express those feelings by picking fights with him -- over problems I've created because of my own self-doubts.