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How Mental Health Affects Relationships

What is mental health?


Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being all contribute to our mental health. Our mental health has an impact on how we think, feel, and act. Many factors influence our mental health, including genetics, family history, childhood experiences, trauma, discrimination, and poverty. All of these things have an impact on mental health and how it changes over time.


How can mental illness affect relationships?


When a child or loved one is diagnosed with a mental illness, families may be unaware of the impact they have. Consider family systems as an example. This signifies that a family is a unit made up of various systems and subsystems.


What is a family system?

  • A family system is a group of people that not only live together but also rely on one another for basic needs, emotional support, and a shared history.

Types of family systems

  • Nuclear Family: A nuclear family consists of two parents sharing a home and raising a child or children together.

  • Matrifocal Family & Patrifocal Family System: A matrifocal family system is one in which the mother may or may not have a relationship with the father of her children and manages to take care of her family as a single mother, A patrifocal family system, the other hand, is one in which the father supervises the majority of family care in circumstances of divorce or unmarried parents but may participate in custody agreements.

  • Extended Family: An extended family system is made up of family members from various generations and positions, such as grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, who may live alongside parents and their children.

Each family system has an impact on mental health

  • Through the generations, each member of the family is either not taught the importance of mental health or has some education on how to take care of their mental health. Mental health was not a topic that was talked about in many families throughout the generations due to a lack of resources, lack of education, and many beliefs that mental health is for the "sick or the crazies".

  • The key to what causes a shift in homeostasis—the center of the norm—to move into either a positive or bad alteration in life is these unfavorable ideas about mental health. This implies that while talking to your family about your mental health may make you feel comfortable and allow you to be transparent about your experience, others may experience a negative change as a result of passive-aggressive behavior, guilt or shame, or being judged and advised to "suck it up."

  • Depending on whether their environment was helpful or neglected, each generation has learned different ways to manage their mental health.

Mental health affects relationships


Whether you are a person who has been diagnosed with a mental illness or you are supporting a loved one with a mental illness, each relationship is impacted by certain outcomes.


1. Codependency

  • In intimate partnerships, a common dynamic is that one spouse has a mental illness, and the "healthier" partner spends a lot of time caring for the ill partner. Problems might emerge when the caregiving partner neglects his or her own needs and begins to experience burnout symptoms such as resentment, impatience, angry outbursts, and infidelity. It is critical that you and your partner establish healthy boundaries in order to avoid feelings of resentment and burnout.

2. Arise in emotions and difficulties in communication needs

  • When a person with a mental illness learns to manage their mental health but then must learn to cope with an increase in emotions. It is frequently discovered that the afflicted partner finds it difficult to explain their feelings and needs, which can lead to feelings of abandonment, guilt, and shame.

  • When you are feeling guilty or ashamed over anything, it can be difficult to engage with family members. For example, a family may get overwhelmed and puzzled while attempting to help you on your mental health journey, which can be difficult for you if you begin to feel isolated and alone. Many emotions may occur within these familial ties, but remember that even though it is difficult, attempt to talk with your family or loved ones and discuss what you are going through.

3. Lack of intimacy

  • A mental illness can have a negative impact on a couple's sexual life in a variety of ways. Such include medications that might induce libido, arousal difficulties, and orgasm prevention. Remember that you can share these symptoms with both your spouse and your doctor.

4. What can be done to support yourself and your partner (family, loved one, etc) with their mental health?

  • Individual. couples or families can help the relationships with relationship needs, develop healthy boundaries, and create a safe space to discuss these issues.

  • Medication

  • Self-care

  • Create a treatment plan with your spouse by showing support and appreciation, developing a list of people to call, scheduling fun days, taking days off from work if possible, and showing affection to one another.


Conclusion


Remember to do your best to be supportive of a loved one suffering from a mental illness. With everything they are going through, it might be difficult for them at times, and they appreciate your support. But you are also affected, and remember that you are doing everything you can to help them. Also, self-care and healthy boundaries are essential and can benefit both you and your partner, family member, or loved one.


Mental Health Resources


If you are in crisis, get immediate help:

  • Call 911

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline): 988 for English or Spanish, or Lifeline Chat. TTY users can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988.

  • Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free crisis counseling

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