Post by xxxxxxx on Sept 15, 2013 0:00:58 GMT
Hey guys.
I thought this might be the best place for this thread. I have Borderline Personality Disorder, and I've also lived with depression and anxiety for a long time. I first entered the mental health system when I was 15 - I was self harming, my mum found out, didn't know what to do and told my head of year at school. My head of year told a doctor (I'm presuming), and I wound up talking to some kind of psychiatrist at CAMHS.
Fast forward eight years (sheesh), and I'm now on Citalopram and in full time work. A LOT has happened between the age of 15 and 23. I've had one-to-one counselling (Leeds was the best place for me with this, and did a lot of good), CBT (maybe it was the area, but didn't help at the time) and finally DBT early this year (absolutely fantastic). I've been on a variety of meds but Citalopram has worked great, and I've been on it for about four/five years. I've been very up and down, had a few serious relationships and mental health has always been a significant and constant part of my life. It's now in a positive way - I consider myself well into recovery, and like to spend some of my spare time helping others and generally giving advice.
My boyfriend, who I've been with for two years, went to the doctors for the first time today, to talk about his mental health. It was really strange being there for his 'first time', because it's been such a constant in my life. I find it incredibly normal to go to the doctors about my issues - in fact, it's a novelty to go there for anything physical! It was very strange being the person helping, for the first time. Living with, and being in a relationship with someone who has mental health issues is challenging for me, as it's easy for me to be triggered by his mood swings and, recently, self harm. However, I think I'm doing pretty well.
What I wanted to ask people, was whether you guys have experiences with living with someone, or being in a relationship with someone, who has a mental health condition when you have one yourself? Do you find it difficult, or is it nice to have someone going through it by your side?
I thought this might be the best place for this thread. I have Borderline Personality Disorder, and I've also lived with depression and anxiety for a long time. I first entered the mental health system when I was 15 - I was self harming, my mum found out, didn't know what to do and told my head of year at school. My head of year told a doctor (I'm presuming), and I wound up talking to some kind of psychiatrist at CAMHS.
Fast forward eight years (sheesh), and I'm now on Citalopram and in full time work. A LOT has happened between the age of 15 and 23. I've had one-to-one counselling (Leeds was the best place for me with this, and did a lot of good), CBT (maybe it was the area, but didn't help at the time) and finally DBT early this year (absolutely fantastic). I've been on a variety of meds but Citalopram has worked great, and I've been on it for about four/five years. I've been very up and down, had a few serious relationships and mental health has always been a significant and constant part of my life. It's now in a positive way - I consider myself well into recovery, and like to spend some of my spare time helping others and generally giving advice.
My boyfriend, who I've been with for two years, went to the doctors for the first time today, to talk about his mental health. It was really strange being there for his 'first time', because it's been such a constant in my life. I find it incredibly normal to go to the doctors about my issues - in fact, it's a novelty to go there for anything physical! It was very strange being the person helping, for the first time. Living with, and being in a relationship with someone who has mental health issues is challenging for me, as it's easy for me to be triggered by his mood swings and, recently, self harm. However, I think I'm doing pretty well.
What I wanted to ask people, was whether you guys have experiences with living with someone, or being in a relationship with someone, who has a mental health condition when you have one yourself? Do you find it difficult, or is it nice to have someone going through it by your side?