Hey everyone, so I`d been on these forums and independently researching over the past 2 years (when my almost 9 year relationship started going South). I tried to learn about SZ, which my now ex boyfriend has. I`d vented here of course so many times, weighing my options, added up the pros and cons of staying and leaving, seeing if anything works for others that might work for me. I tried to be patient, tried to encourage communication the whole 2 years of having the relationship take a bad turn before I left my boyfriend, nothing worked much or for long. What I didn`t realize (or maybe I was just in denial) was that the relationship went bad for several reasons: the negative symptoms were taking over for my ex, I could not figure out for sure if it was that or he was being a jerk and the fact that it is hard for me to deal with people who become distant and unreliable out of the blue. So I made the choice 2 weeks ago to end the relationship. I did it respectfully over email because my ex didn`t answer cell (never does anymore). The way he only "shows up" when he can is unbearable for me. When he sporatically texts he says everything is ok. So I`m sure he is plus he does a lot for his family and is obsessive about work so he seems fine from what he tells me. It hurts to have him completely ignore me and do everything for other people and act like I can wait or that I`m not as important. He was never like that before 2 years ago. Having done so much for him and helping him through every phase of his illness and being reduced to someone he barely talks to was the breaking point for me. So I`d like to give this message to partners of people with SZ: If you are having a hard time leaving that person look at what your own personal mental state is, physical and emotional health, self esteem & social health, if it deteriorates into something dire like it did for me at a certain point, you must leave! Run don`t walk but at the same time be kind and respectful to that partner. I got my health back and continue to improve. You can`t allow another person`s illness to rule your life, don`t crucify yourself and become a martyr for that person in an attempt to be a good partner like I did. However if you are and can maintain good spirits in the midst of the crap you will be experiencing stay for as long as your health can permit. If that`s what you want. for me personally I couldn`t deal with my ex any longer because I just graduated from college recently and I have loans to pay off so I have to stay healthy, work hard and keep myself afloat financially. I won`t be able to depend on him ever so I had to leave.