CHALLENGING RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS
Having a partner who experiences mental illness or addiction can be a major stressor in relationships. Undiagnosed, untreated or mismanaged mental health concerns or addictive behaviors are silent killers in relationships. However, couples do live fulfilling lives together in spite of one or both partners experiencing addiction or c. The problem is not because of the illness itself, but because of the downstream effects on the relationship when not managed well. This is because we operate on assumptions in relationships: assumptions that we can trust our partner, that they will behave or react in predictable ways, that we can accurately track our partners moods, motives and moves. Untreated or mismanaged mental illness or addiction removes that sense of security and safety that is foundational in relationships.
When experiencing significant mental health struggles or addictive behavior, the relationship can become unbalanced, with one partner over-functioning to manage the situation and often, the other becomes the “under or non-functioning” partner. It never feels good to try to manage someone else, and it never feels good to be managed.
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Chronic mental health concerns or crises such as depression, anxiety, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD, and others can wreak havoc in the lives of those who experience these adverse mental illnesses.
Similarly, undiagnosed, unprocessed childhood trauma can show up and can be a significant contributor to mental illness, and often exacerbates these conditions.
If you are experiencing some form of mental illness, and if you haven’t already done so, it is time to get individual help for yourself. A licensed psychologist or psychiatrist can help diagnose and create a treatment protocol for you. This will put you on the path where you’ll be the most successful at getting to the root of the problem instead of just patching things together and white-knuckling it until the next crisis. It will help you show up as a better partner in your relationship.
As a partner of someone who is experiencing mental illness you’ll need to seek additional support. A licensed mental health practitioner will help you understand your partner’s illness better, and give you tools that help get you the support you need in this challenging situation.
Marriage counseling works most effectively when both partners are capable and willing to show up as their best selves. Addressing mental illness is a critical first step to couple’s counseling.
Click the button for a free consultation about your relationship to find the best next move in your relationship.
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Addiction and compulsive behaviors can wreak havoc in the lives of those who experience these adverse mental illnesses.
Similarly, undiagnosed, unprocessed childhood trauma can show up and can be a significant contributor to and can be the catalyst underlying addictive and compulsive behavior.
If you are experiencing some form of addiction, and if you haven’t already done so, it is time to get individual help for yourself. A licensed mental health professional, or CMAT (Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist) can help diagnose and create a treatment protocol for you to manage your addiction. This will put you on the path where you’ll be the most successful at getting to the root of the problem instead of just patching things together and white-knuckling it until the next crisis. It will help you show up as a better partner in your relationship.
Alcoholics Anonymous, and other drug and addiction recovery programs can be helpful in treatment and recovery.
As a partner of someone who is experiencing addiction you’ll need to seek additional support. A licensed mental health practitioner will help you understand your partner’s addiction better, and give you tools that help get you the support you need in this challenging situation.
Group support such as Al-anon is available for partners of addicted persons. These support groups will help you find community and understanding.
Marriage counseling works most effectively when both partners are capable and willing to show up as their best selves. Addressing addiction is a critical first step before beginning couple’s counseling.
Click the button for a free consultation to find the next best move for your relationship.
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Nothing changes until something changes. This one small but significant step can be the catalyst to a better relationship. Click the button below for a free consultation about next best steps for your marriage.
The content shared on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical or mental health care.
Messages sent through this website are not monitored 24/7 and should not be used for urgent concerns or crises. If you are in crisis, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room or urgent care provider. If you are in the U.S. and need immediate support, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.