I'm curious.

Does anyone here feel that their mental illness makes it more difficult to form meaningful and lasting relationships?
Do you worry about your ability to acquire and maintain a healthy marriage (if marriage is something you aspire to)?

What about having children?
Do any of you worry that your child might also inherit some type of disorder? If yes; does it make you feel guilty?
Are you confident that you'd be able to handle a child that was "like you"? Or would it make you feel uneasy and/or guilty and ashamed?

If you overreact, are paranoid and untrusting, etc: Does it ever feel like maybe you simply aren't cut out to be in a relationship?

If you're constantly suspicious of the motives of others: Do you ever become frustrated with the idea that you'll never be able to find someone that you can trust?

What about those of you that can't empathize or don't do so very effectively/tend to be a tad bit selfish: Do relationships interest you at all? If you were/are in a relationship, is it frustrating not being able to understand the emotions of your partner?

For those of you that have DID or any other dissociative disorders-- that has to be a difficult diagnosis to explain to someone who's completely unfamiliar with disassociation: How do you maintain your relationships? Do you ever feel that it'd be too difficult to find someone that would be okay with the fact that you don't always know where you are or what you've done?

What about those of you with disorders that people find "scary", such as schizophrenia: Do you feel that being schizophrenic is something that keeps you away from the dating scene? Do you think that your partner would leave/become fearful if they found out?

And definitely what about those of you with antisocial personality disorders: Most people would run and hide as soon as they heard the term 'psychopath' or 'sociopath', does that bother you at all? Many sites/whatever say that you are incapable of love- does that ever get annoying, or is it just a fact?

(I didn't cover all types of illnesses because there are too many, but it's clear where I'm going with each of them)

Do any of you feel that the term 'personality disorder' turns people away? How about 'mood disorder', does that also seem to be a relationship killer?

Do you ever feel like people think you're being whiny when you try to explain your illnesses?
Have you ever been in a relationship where you tried to explain your illness, but your partner simply glazed over your explanation--but then later on complained about the very things that you initially tried to describe?

....I've asked a lot of questions x.x
Answer my intrusive questions >:3
....or don't, that's fine too ^-^

I'm asking because these are questions I've asked myself regarding my own illnesses, and I'm curious to see if anyone else has fallen victim to the same line of self-questioning. Ever since I was a little kid I always wanted to fall in love, get married, have kids-- when I was 16 I started questioning if such a life was even possible for someone like me. Now every time I have a relationship issue I resort back to the same line of questioning.
I'm curious to see how you guys feel regarding these questions. Answer whichever ones you desire-- if you so please to answer any of them at all :P

Woah ... a lot of questions ... wouldn't even know where to start

Wow, a lot of tough, unpleasant questions. Does your mental condition include suffering from a lot of anxiety? I am 53; it is possible that something has been going on with me since childhood. In retrospect, had I obtained "help" earlier in my life, I might not have changed jobs so many times or attempted but mostly have had a very full life. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss....

LOL, I was thinking that people could just answer whichever ones hit home with them the most-- but it seems that I have overwhelmed the masses ��

Hahaha! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!

Yeaahhhhhh, I have a habit of asking people unpleasant questions, and as soon as my brain gets started I just keep going lol
I do indeed have anxiety.
Ah, I'm sorry that that's been your experience :/ But! A lot of people get out there and really start living life in their 50's, so don't ever feel like it's too late. The right time is always now for as long as you're alive
Good luck to you ^-^

Yes, my MI has made relationships difficult. I am very fortunate to be married to somebody who can handle my ups and downs. But most normal men couldn't send me, though I was attractive at the time. I'm also glad I mellowed out some with age.

MI has made it more difficult to form friendships and relationships with others. Luckily my wife is schizoaffective so we have quite a meeting of the minds so to speak! It's helpful to have someone in your life who's had to deal with the same kind of situations as you.
As far as dissociative disorder I just don't talk much about it. I'm lucky I don't have DID but I still have blank outs and other symptoms. I have DDD disorder.
As far as suspiciousness goes I hope for the best and prepare for the worst... that way I'm rarely surprised. I hope I've answered some of your questions.

I find it difficult. I have to had a lot of things from people which makes them suspicious and worried.

yes, my illness has impacted my relationships. They weren't very good ones to begin with. This time around I'm with someone understanding of the illness.

My children? I am certain and quite frightened that my children do. I see my adult son with OCD and high anxiety. He seems to function very well though. I just worry when the time will come that he has reached his limit. He is aware of his anxiety as being a problem that perhaps should be attended to. My daughter I am quite certain is also bipolar. She is too high strung that I have been unable to discuss my concerns with her. I am very much concerned her life is going to come crashing down - hard.

I'm glad that you've been able to find someone that accepts you the way that you are. That's a beautiful thing. Many congratulations to you ♥

Yes, you answered plenty of my questions and I thank you for it.
It's amazing that you were able to meet and fall in love with another person that has mental illness-- it does seem like that could make the explanations a lot easier.
I hope you continue to have a beautiful marriage! And I'm glad that you have both found ways to stay together despite the difficulties that come with mental illnesses ♥

Ah, I find it difficult as well but for different reasons.
It takes a special kind of person to be able to trust someone even when they don't know everything about them (I wish I could be that type of person, but I definitely am not-- I become suspicious as soon as the wind blows lol). I hope you're able to find that type of person ♥

I'm so glad that you've finally found someone that is understanding (that warms my heart tbh).
However, I am sorry that you have to live with all of that worry in regards to your children. As someone who's always wanted to have kids, I find myself worrying about them even though they are nowhere near existence-- I can't even begin to imagine what you must be feeling.
But you seem like a strong person, so I have faith that even if your children currently seem like they aren't able to be guided- they will eventually come around and find the same strength and comfort that you have.

I wish your family the absolute best ♥

yea, only in the furthest reachest of a fanastized dream. I'm literally like a monster in the eyes of society which feds my misanthropy. if some one like that existed, they'd for sure think twice

A monster how?
But the whole of society doesn't matter. What society finds acceptable is always changing anyways. You only need one person to accept you (yourself), and a second person if you're lucky. But I think there's someone for everyone. Even if you were the most twisted person ever-- there would still be someone out there equally as twisted (or super kind and understanding) that would absolutely adore you.
Don't give up hope just yet. Thinking twice isn't a no.

I just leave it alone. I don't really care anymore. I already started the cat buying process and planning on moving to the mountains away from humans

Haha, that's not a bad plan I admit. Well, if you ever wanna chat someone up you can always message me. Just in case you need some help picking a cat or choosing the perfect mountains to move to.

It's cool, most of these questions appear at sometime it was just to see them all side by side, it kinda emphasizes just how crazy I probably am.

What I can answer is about my kids, knowing about my mental health has enabled me to be aware of my children's chances of ending I the same way.
So I have pushed a healthy diet, with lots of fresh foods. Stuff to ensure healthy brain function for a growing kid.

I do worry about impending MH issues because it's prevalent in my family. But guilt? Hmmm, I guess a little, but my kids are happy funny mischievous and without them I wouldn't have been able to stay alive.

Well, first things first. Get proper diagnosis, medicine and treatment plan so you can lead a good life. I had crippling anxiety so badly that it affected my entire life adversely. 20 years of talk therapy, completely useless. Finally went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. They immediately put me on a medicine that changed my life. I have been in complete remission for 13 years. I realized that I am a joyous person who loves life. Predictably, as I got better, my husband, who has an improper diagnosis and wrong medicine (therapy via FaceTime with a quack psychologist in the D.C. Area who charges $400/session), walked out after 41 years of marriage.

I have a close, emotionally intimate and healthy relationship with my adult children and with all of my colleagues from my 30-year career (same job). I know that a true relationship has respect, trust, and safety. If this happens for me now, I'll know it and would allow it to grow organically. But I'm not seeking it.

I have good relationships but it's necessary to take some critically important steps to allow that to happen. Enjoy the ride.