I am here to seek advice and see is someone would be kind to share their experience with being in a relationship with a person affected by Scizoaffective disorder (not sure about the spelling). My mom has been on lithium for the past 20 years and I have consumed most of my life (I am in my early 40's) helping my parents, working hard and college. My heart aches for my mom when "they think their normal" people realize that she has a problem, and treats her disrespectfully because she shakes and gets nervous easily, she works hard to survive. I get furious. She was told she could get on disability years ago but she is blessed with the drive to continue to work (self employed by sales and independent contractor for demo sales - the people you see handing out stuff in walmart) but I help her alot when she struggles with the paperwork, etc.
I have met a wonderful guy who has been diagonosed with scizoaffective disorder, I really feel strongly for him. I must mention he is approximately 10 years younger than I and he is on disability and he was on drugs and alcohol up til 3 years ago. He is very honest about feeling weak concerning "chemical dependency". I have never done drugs so I dont totally understand but I want to understand. I am looking to find others who are in a relationship with someone with this disorder. All my friends state that I should leave him alone but he is so good to me. They state he is lazy but I know this is not true and they dont understand mental illness. I guess I am so openminded because I love my mom so much and she has struggled with mental illness, kidney and breast cancer for so long. I am a very strong willed professional woman. I have been alone for the past 7 years due to a terrible relationship with a "normal" person.
I want to understand his illness better and I want to help him live a more normal life. he wants to go back to work but will he ever be able to go back?? I am not sure and I don't care if he works or not. But I want to help him reach for goals and his dreams. How does it affect children? I realized their is no cure but can he live a more productive life, he wants so much more out of life. At times I think he is too dependent on my attention and I have a really stressful demanding job. Is there a chance for him to be more independent? I have asked him to volunteer or find something to occupy more of his time. I don't fully understand all the drugs he is taking. He takes 4 pills. If anyone can share their experiences with someone in a relationship that has scizoaffective, I would really appreciate it. Thanks and Blessings!