Your partner can have mental health challenges too— it’s a given, they are human beings akere— so build a room to be supportive & not add to the stigma or discrimination. Yes, s/he might not have said anything until the time they relapsed, understand the fear that comes with disclosure, find them help if you can before leaving if you so choose.
Your partner deserves to know if you ve had major challenges with mental health, do not lead him/her into marriage/commitment before disclosing that. That way you are sure of the support and the other will not feel hijacked ha bolwetse bo tsoga. Just like other illnesses taking care of the ill can be psychologically draining, allow the other person to be prepared for what might happen.
Some people cannot stand the mentally ill and some can take advantage, do not find yourself under the care of an abuser.
Understand that some symptoms can pose danger, do not allow yourself a potential to be a harm to you or your partner in the midst of trying to conceal your condition. It’s okay to disclose, that might be the determinant of your relationship going forth.
Banna hardly open up about psychological challenges , try to always create a room for conversations. They may be ‘strong’ to a particular point but they also do suffer mental health conditions that needs attention, be ware of symptoms before you label them as deliberate. Yes, they might need a push than usual to see a professional.
Basadi can go through post partum depression/ psychosis after tsholo, be prepared of taking care of the baby and her. Women are also highly vulnerable to depression, watch out for that instead of identifying her symptoms as deliberate too.
Not all Mental health conditions render someone unfit for relationships, support within a relationship can actually be therapeutic. Lack thereof/persistent conflicts can trigger, precipitate or perpetuate a mental health condition.
Mental health conditions can affect your intimacy, most of the time lowering libido than hiking it up. It can also diminish interest in engaging in interactive activities or spending time with others. Anger/irritability, self isolation,excessive substance use, excessive forgetfulness or seeming too preoccupied, being overly suspicious of partner/environment etc are all symptoms in mental health that can affect relationships. Explore your problems together before being at each other’s throat.
It’s okay to go for couples counseling anytime, it’s okay to tag along with your partner to their sessions/check up. You will understand better how to take care of each other.
Lastly, you have a choice to leave without degrading each other. Dear partner left- it does hurt to be left in a vulnerable state but it is better to heal without a thorn in your flesh.
Take care of yourselves.
#youmatter
❤️💚
Kelly.
Life Ls 