for me no my mental disorders did not stop me from dating, having friends. quite the opposite actually because when ever I felt any emotions like sadness, fear, anxiety what ever .... I would dissociate (shut down, go numb, depersonalize or dissociate into one of my alters) then I was able to continue on functioning as if nothing was wrong, like I was ok.

example last night my wife and I went out. I was a bit anxious because the twins were battling ear infections and an upper respiratory infection. I am also in my depression phase of my bipolar disorder. I dissociated ....shut down those feelings, numbed myself to the anxiety and depression and was able to leave the house with out a problem, just as if I didnt have any anxiety nor depression. At the restaurant it was quite crowded and I got a bit of anxiety and depressed again. I started dissociating again....spacing out, numbing myself, shutting down those feelings and then I was ok to continue eating my meal and continued on with what turned out to be a fantastic evening with my wife..

for me dissociation is a coping tool that enables me to continue functioning as if nothing is wrong, as if nothing is triggering me, as if I dont have depression and anxiety problems...