dating others with mental illness

I've been thinking about starting to date other people. I'm tired of being lonley all the time with nobody to talk to I don't want to live in this world a lone

I'm Bisexual so I don't care if the person is either sex.

I would like to ask some of you experienced people out there that is it healthy on the relationship to date other people with similar mental illnesses that you have?

I have Bipolar, BPD and depression including anxiety and PTSD.

Should I try to avoid other people with these diagnoses? Has a relationship ever worked out when the two has almost the same illness? I don't want to create a discrimination and to continue with the mental health stigma, that is not what I attend to do.

With what I have as far as my symptoms goes.. I don't think I could handle somebody else's similar symptoms as what I have

If I were to clone myself and the clone had all of the symptoms that I have, I don't think we would handle each other, which is what I'm trying to pinpoint.

Whats your opinions of dating other people with mental illness?

I don't know. I think it would be hard to date someone else with problems. On the other hand, many "normal" people don't want to date us. My boyfriend has told me, if he knew what he knows now, he wouldn't have dated me, and he sure won't date someone in the future if he knows she has mental problems.

Sorry to be a downer. I have wondered the same. It's hard when you want to be in a relationship, and don't know if there's anyone who will be right for you.

It might depend on both of your current health levels. The guy I'm attracted to has openly had difficulties with depression and suicide in the past, as have I, and I think if we ever got together we'd probably understand each other well and be able to support each other. But if we were both deeply depressed to start the relationship, I don't think it would be healthy. I think it could be overcome if it happened later on, but wouldn't make a good start. But this is just my logical guess, I'm pretty good at giving advice, but I've never actually dated. So there's my disclaimer.

i "tried" one. he almost drove me nuts. i already have my problems and i coudn't handle his need for me to handle his......xoxoxo

I think all the people I've dated since my divorce had undiagnosed mental health issues....though they either wouldn't admit it, or were unaware of it! I really don't know what it would be like to date a "healthy" person!

Tough one...my ex suffers from ADD, OCD, and an eating disorder...I wasn't properly treated recent dx is BP & BPD.

The problem we had as the gap widened in our relationship is that we pushed each other buttons and had no idea on how to support the other.

When I was in the hospital...I saw some where one or both had some issues...The understanding and compassion I saw in some of them was amazing.

I think the biggest issue is each of you have a bad day...in my case we have 3 children...how does one deal with it?

I wouldn't rule it out...carefully planned you never know...

I'm not sure i'd date anyone with depression. Unless they are gettting help.I'd have to be their friend first and see how that go's.Before i think of dating.I dated a guy with mental issues before.He had way more issues than me and became controling and violent.I realize nobody is perfect.I get moody and down in the dumps a lot.But i don't want to date anyone who flys off the handle easily.Dealt with that growing up with my mom and dad.Who had mental issues.But they never got help. I would no way in hell date a guy if he refused help or was in denial about his mental issues.I want to break the cycle of domestic violence.Not be a victim any more.So i doubt i'd date anyone with mental issues. Unless they are like me.When i get in my moods.I tend to isolate myself and feel extra tired or sick to my stomach.Never have i became violent. But some with mental issues.I'm not saying all. But some get violent and i am not willing to deal with that ever.

<font color="#000088">That's a tough question. I guess it really depends on the illness they have,or what you personally can tolerate in a relationship. My last relationship lasted 4 years,he was Schizophrenic,but I didn't want to judge him over it,because of how much I had been judged over my illness. So we just started out as friends for awhile and hung out a lot, to see how we could get along with eachother,and things were fine, then after about 6 months of just hanging we started dating. Then after about a year and a half of dating we moved in with eachother, to see if we could live with eachother, and things were going fine for the first little while. Then I realized that he couldn't do anything for himself, he couldn't cook, he diodn't want to clean at all, he just expected that to be my job to do all the cooking,cleaning, and he had issues with being possesive. He would follow me everywhere I would go like a lost puppy. He didn't know how to handle finances,like even balancing his checkbook,so I had to teach him everything, how to write a check,balance his checkbook,cook,clean properly. He hated it! Then his Mom started taking him to the casino's in the area, he won like $200.00 1 night,and was hooked. So she kept taking him,and he just kept getting worse with the gambling problem,and finally one day he asked me for money to go,and I said he wasn't going to throw my money away,and said No! He freaked out and tried to kill me over it,we were engaged,thank God we hadn't been married yet! So it's risky,but it's a risk that you have to make your own choice on taking.Not everyone is the same.So you have to consider that to! I wasted 4 years of my life on taking a chance,and almost lost my life over it. But it doesn't always end that way,but it does for some! It's a personal choice.I just thought I'd share my experience and let you think about it!
But remember, not all Schizophrenics are like that, he also had a very low IQ,and a not too good background through his adolescence! I hope this helps any! </font>

Ummmmm this is a touchy question, after 31 years marriage with a man with OCD, Panic/Anxiety, and Depression, my dx's are DID, Bi-Polar, and Depression, we have had a rollercoaster relationship, we even went though a stage of pulling the other down when the other was doing good, with counseling and meds, and support, we have a very good marriage, we where even told by professionals they only gave us 3 months, and we would split, soooo if ya really care about someone it will work