[lywasq]

I have met the man of my dreams. My other half. The male version of my female self.

So, we've both been diagnosed Bipolar I. In addition, I've got a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and he's got Social Anxiety Disorder. We both figure we've also saddled down with OCD and ADHD but are simply undiagnosed.

It's been six weeks since we met. We are both very aware of the heightened emotional state we could be in at any time, but we're both satisfied that for the past six weeks we've both been stable - no signs of many, just genuine happiness.

We live in the same apartment building (met in the laundry room, introduced by a kindly, gossipy elderly neighbour of his) so we spend probably about 80% of our time together. He is on disability; I work full time, but out of my apartment.

We are in love... no doubt. We've discussed the difference between infatuation and love. How and why we relate to each other. Worries about what a relationship like this could entail. Open communication to the extreme. Super comfortable in each other's homes. It's very natural and I think we've become those "we" kind of people.

I've been meeting a lot of his friends and I've met his parents. I absolutely adore his mother and it seems reciprocal. She told me the other day that she sees her son as healthy as she's ever seen (and she's seen major mania and depression). This includes time before I came along, so I know I'm not a major influence in the stability of his mental health. The friends I've met of his are great. I can be really social when the general anxiety doesn't have me buried alive and that makes him feel good about introducing me.

On the flip side, I joke that he probably won't meet my family until well after we're married or something, lol. I don't particularly like my family... they're judgmental and don't even try to understand my illness. He's really starting to come out of his shell, after 10 years of essentially sitting in his apartment alone. But I'm not throwing him to that pack of wolves for a while. He has met one of my closest friends (a guy) and they have a lot in common and banter back and forth on Facebook.

Anywho, didn't mean for all this to just come pouring out when really I want to do is ask a few questions.

• Has anyone had a relationship where both partners suffered from the same (or very similar) mental illnesses?
  
• Were those relationships successful? If not, what were the main issues?
  
• Any other tips?

I am so happy and grateful to have met him. He reciprocates the feeling. We are both very serious about making this work. We acknowledge it is early stages yet and so are trying to adapt our expectations to be realistic.

Now, veering slightly off...

There are some sexual issues, on his part. Mostly when it comes to climaxing.

His meds: latuda, trintellix, clonazepam (as needed)
He just last week went to the doctor about it and went off ciprolex. He suspects it might be more of the clonazepam that's causing the problem.

• Any feedback on that? Do any of these meds jump out as being a cause of reduced sexual libido/inhibitions?

I am not sure about your questions, but you seem happy with him. So, all I can say is: Good luck, and hope others will add their inputs.

[healingme4me]

Not certain about medicine side effects. Psych Meds or Sexuality and Gender are two forums that might bring a response to this last part of your post. Or even searching the forum, pc does have a med review subsection.

Congratulations on meeting someone that you are compatible with.

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