How Mental Health Can Affect Your Marriage

Written by Chelsea Borruano for Baton Rouge Parents Magazine

Marriage isn’t always easy, and neither is managing mental health. When things like anxiety, mood, impulse and substance abuse disorders are present in a relationship, it can be incredibly challenging. But, if we can navigate these things correctly, they can also bring about an even deeper connection and understanding of ourselves and each other. A mental health condition within a marriage can be managed if both partners have the skills and awareness to cope and communicate through challenges.

Let’s talk about it.
Just starting the conversation about mental health can often be the hardest part, so it’s no surprise that some people tend to hide that part of themselves from the people they love. While this may be sustainable for a while, it will inevitably negatively impact the relationship in the long run. By sharing our health history, we’re sharing insight into not just our challenges but also our strengths.

These tools can be used to start the conversation for those suffering or for those concerned that their partner may be suffering with a mental health condition.

• Talk when there are no active symptoms of mania, anxiety, or psychosis present.

• Initiate with a text, email or letter if it feels uncomfortable to speak face-to-face.

• Use “process talk” to introduce a difficult conversation. (“I want to tell you something important that I’ve been worrying about. This is difficult for me to say, though. I hope you can listen and understand.”)

• Find important information online that might help explain symptoms, concerns and feelings.

• Expect to be asked questions. Expect to not have all the answers.

• Be prepared for them to have mixed reactions and emotions.

• Listen.

• Be honest with each other.