We live and learn.. but those that may be ill may think we're cold..

nice rack.!!!

Huray for life lessons and survivors!!

See, the thing is....we are NOT cold, sometimes our answers to these types of questions seem cold.....but if anyone knew what you, me and others have gone through.... (and I tried for 4 years), then they may have a slight idea why we answer these questiosn as we do..

I have friends that are on medications for chemical imbalances, bi-polar, Schosphrinia, ADD, Ect.......the list goes on....my point is this: as a person that loves someone with a disorder, you can only take so much, especially if they don't take their meds or refuse to beleive they have a problem.

Self preservation....this is the internal clock that tells you enough is enough!

There is nothing wrong with trying but having your life force sucked out of you for so long...you actually start exibiting signs of your own mental disorder......


And then we leave, have to, even if it is to save your own azz or children involved...


so again, it depends...do you stay or go?
Well, are they taking their med's and being productive or are they in denial????

Help, how? I've had patients that have had schizophrenia and some that were bi-polar.

Your question is too vague to me.

Also, there is a big difference between family and dating.

I agree with you Tazz...

Been there, done that, wore the tshirt...

You can not fix other people. If they are really, really working on their issues it might be worth sticking around - everyone's going to have a different perspective on that.

But if they slack off and want you to fix them so they don't have to do the hard work, it's time to RUN!

JMHO

I have been as compasionate as possible. I have explained that I didn't think she was "mental". My no frills explanation of how I felt is this...

When it comes right down to it, humans are basically a bunch of chemicals that have come together to create a being. Sometimes, as with any experiment, if something is missing or a temperature is off a hair, something can turn out different. It doesn't mean a person is bad or mental or whatever, it just means that a supplement may be needed to correct or set an imbalance to a level that makes things work correctly or functionally.

It is when a person denies they have a problem by blaming all others, God, their parents, the stars, etc., everything but themselves for what happens, is when it becomes intolerable. Needing something whether it be a drug or counseling to rebalance is not a weakness, it is a firm grip on reality that shows strength.

If you,,, forget things you say, say I meant something that I didn't say, say I'm thinking something without me speaking a word, tell me that I don't love you when I've put up with the senseless tirades, have stood by you through this charade for more than a year, have accepted that your use of Paxil and Wellbutrin was to quit smoking without calling you out on it, have stood and taken you hitting me, have tolerated the silent treatment for days on end without knowing why, have not questioned you when you would disappear, it is,,,

"time for me to move on"

Call me cold, an asshole, a prick, a useless "man", whatever...
the worst thing you could do is kill me and to be honest, I will finally have peace and you will get the help you need...

Would I be willing to help them.....sure, to the best of my ability as I was able to (like running an errand or being a listening ear).

Would I be with them? No. I wouldn't risk my childrens safety to knowingly go into a relationship with someone who needed more than I could give emotionally.

If I met a guy that was disabled and/or mentally retarded??
I have to be honest and say: No, for sure.

It is a different story if I have been with this person for a while, (a few years) and I love him, but he had a bad accident, and now he is diabled or has had some brian injuries. I would prolly stay. I would hope he would do the same for me. It would be frustrating and discouraging at times, no doubt. But no one can really say for sure what they would do, until it happens. JMO.

If she had a disabling mental illnes from the begining, I would avoid her. If the illness developed, as we were in a relationship, I night stay. It would depend on the illness, the severity, how she is dealing with it.

Hmmm. Hadn't thought about children as I don't have anymore. When I was a single parent, I wouldn't date at all cause (if you want MHO), I didn't want strange men around my kids (and no offense to anyone, but there are alot of strange men out there).

Without kids? Yeah, I'd consider it. It'd depend on the person and situation.

How about when they lie about taking their meds and flip out on you repeatedly?
Never again!

My experiences with mentally disabled people is that they think in their minds they are fine and stop taking their meds.

you get sucked into their episodes and it is just not fun.

And to those who say it is a cold world you are right. I was treated as a kid for a disorder I didn't have with tons of Ritalin and the more they made me take the weirder I got. At 13 I smoked pot for the first time and suddenly I was normal. I still get looked down on it feels like. I don't have a hottie under my arm right this second. uh oh...





O.K. Now I feel better. You are right. It IS a cold world that does not care at all...

I got in my heart and as long as I still got just a little left there is hope. When it runs out?


Ciao Baby!

Depends.

Going into a relationship, no I probably wouldn't stick around, esecially with a mental disorder along the lines of bi-polar.

If I was in one, and something happened, like the person was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or was in a car accident and was paralyzed, then it probably wouldn't bother me as much, especially if they were willing to fight it. I'd have a harder time if they went all screwy and mega-depressed and tried to bring me down with them, though.

But then, I believe that people should be allowed to commit suicide, as long as they only take themselves out, rather then keeping them alive to wear everyone else out, so I'm sure that makes me a B#$%H.

Yeah, the world is cold, but love is like a refrigerator box, it's your only means of shelter while you sleep on the streets of life.

Nope - I know myself well enough to say I can't handle that.