Romantic Relationships Can Endure Mental Illness, Study Finds

It is difficult to go through life’s challenges alone. That is why researchers from the United Kingdom were so encouraged by a recent study that says that most partners of those with mental illness are understanding, supportive, and have a great impact on improving the life of their partner.

Seventy-four percent of people who have had a partner with a mental illness said that they did not panic when their partner told them that they had a mental illness. Most of them merely wanted to learn more about it so they could understand it and their partner better.

To Love or Leave

Mental illness causes a huge strain on romantic relationships. According to Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, three out of five people claim that their illness was the main reason that a romantic relationship had ended. In a recent study, more heartening news was found among partners.

Two UK groups, Mind and Relate, a provider for relationship support, questioned over 500 couples about their romantic relationships. Each couple had one partner who had a mental illness.

Researchers found that partners of those with a mental illness more often chose to love and understand rather than leave. Most of the success of this commitment was due to good communication.

Communication Is Key

Nearly three-fourths of the survey participants said that they regularly and openly talked about the mental illness together. This communication is what they say held the relationship together.

Partners mostly wanted to be informed about all aspects of the illness and how it would relate to their relationship. Talking about the illness helped alleviate unknown fears and anxieties. Only 4 percent of partners in the study said they were fearful when they learned of their partner’s mental illness. Most just wanted to understand it and could see past the illness to the person they loved.

Love the Person, Dislike the Illness

Nearly half of the partners of those with mental illness said that they were able to maintain a romantic relationship because they did not let the illness define the person they loved. The illness is a sickness that attacks the person like cancer, diabetes, or other illnesses that people do not choose.

Most encouraging is the support that someone can find in a loving relationship. Sixty percent of people with mental illnesses claim that a loving and supportive relationship has improved their mental health. Communication, compassionate listening, and commitment can make two stronger than one and help lessen the heavy impact of mental illness.