{"id":81516,"date":"2022-11-29T05:52:14","date_gmt":"2022-11-29T05:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=81516"},"modified":"2022-11-29T05:52:38","modified_gmt":"2022-11-29T05:52:38","slug":"how-does-schizophrenia-affect-relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/how-does-schizophrenia-affect-relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Schizophrenia Affect Relationships: 15 Ways"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition affecting a person’s functioning in multiple areas. One way that schizophrenia can negatively affect people is in terms of interpersonal functioning.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, how does schizophrenia affect relationships? Learn information about schizophrenia and relationships, as well as how to support a partner with this mental health condition, below. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Symptoms of schizophrenia <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Before jumping into what you can expect from <\/span>schizophrenia relationships<\/span><\/a>, it is important to understand the symptoms of this mental health disorder. <\/span><\/p>\n

Schizophrenia is classified as a psychotic disorder, and as such, people experience the following symptoms of schizophrenia:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Delusions<\/b><\/h3>\n

These are irrational beliefs that a person maintains, even when provided with evidence that the beliefs are not true. For instance, a person may believe that they have special powers, such as the ability to read minds.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Hallucinations<\/b><\/h3>\n

This often involves hearing or seeing things that are not actually present.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disorganized speech: A person with schizophrenia may speak in a way that others cannot understand because they shift rapidly from one topic to the next.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Catatonic behavior<\/b><\/h3>\n

Behaviors that fall under this category include lack of speech, strange movements, sitting still for long periods, or other movements that are generally perceived as strange. <\/span><\/p>\n

Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> 10 Different Behaviors That Ruin a Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
4. Negative symptoms<\/b><\/h3>\n
The negative symptoms of schizophrenia include a lack of motivation and a lack of interest in major areas of life, including relationships. A person with negative symptoms may also show a lack of emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n
To meet the criteria for schizophrenia, a person must experience dysfunction in major areas of life, such as work or relationships, and evidence of a mental health disturbance must be present for at least six months. <\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>15 ways how schizophrenia affect relationships<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Woman<\/p>\n
If you’re dating or married to someone with schizophrenia, you may be interested to learn how schizophrenia affects relationships. Consider the 15 ways below:<\/span><\/p>\n
1. Difficulty with household duties<\/b><\/h3>\n
A person with schizophrenia may have difficulty reading social cues, such as hints that you want them to help with <\/span>household chores<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n
They may also struggle to pick up on the fact that you’re upset with them for not helping. This means they may need direct instructions about what is expected. <\/span><\/p>\n
2. Problems with sex<\/b><\/h3>\n
Schizophrenia can cause people to lose interest in pleasurable activities, including sex. You may find that there is a <\/span>lack of intimacy<\/span><\/a> in your relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n
Remember that<\/span> being in a relationship with a person with schizophrenia<\/span><\/a> can lead to intimacy issues because of the side effects of the antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia. <\/span><\/p>\n
3. Lack of emotion toward you<\/b><\/h3>\n
The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can lead to difficulty expressing emotions. Living with a schizophrenic partner may even mean that your partner doesn’t seem to express any emotion toward you. <\/span><\/p>\n
Remember that this is a symptom of their mental health condition, not a reflection of how they feel about you.<\/span><\/p>\n
4. Lack of interest in dates and activities<\/b><\/h3>\n
Another negative symptom of schizophrenia is experiencing a lack of pleasure or interest in activities that most people would enjoy. <\/span><\/p>\n
Your partner with schizophrenia may not seem very excited about doing things together, such as going out to dinner, traveling, or sharing hobbies. <\/span><\/p>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> What Happens When There Is Lack of Attention in Relationship?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
5. Confusing behavior<\/b><\/h3>\n
You may not always understand the behavior of your partner. Remember that schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, which can lead to delusional and paranoid behavior that may not always make sense to you. <\/span><\/p>\n
6. Communication challenges<\/b><\/h3>\n
A relationship with a person with schizophrenia may mean communication does not always go as planned. You may try to have an effective conversation but cannot follow your partner’s advice. <\/span><\/p>\n
This can also mean that when you try to address <\/span>relationship problems<\/span><\/a> or conflict, your partner has difficulty even having a conversation. <\/span><\/p>\n
7. Financial difficulties <\/b><\/h3>\n
Having schizophrenia can make it difficult for a person to maintain a full-time job, and your partner may even need to rely upon disability benefits to support themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n
This means that if you’re married or in a <\/span>long-term relationship<\/span><\/a> with someone with schizophrenia, your partner may not be able to contribute significantly to household finances.<\/span><\/p>\n
You may be relied upon to be the breadwinner, or you may have to provide significant financial support because disability benefits are rarely enough to cover all major living expenses for a family. <\/span><\/p>\n
8. Medication issues<\/b><\/h3>\n
Antipsychotic medications can be very helpful for people who live with schizophrenia, as they can make symptoms more manageable. However, they can also come with significant side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n
Living with a schizophrenic partner can mean helping them to manage medication side effects. You may also have to encourage them to continue taking their medication or remind them to take it daily. <\/span><\/p>\n
9. Stigma<\/b><\/h3>\n
The unfortunate truth is that people may have a <\/span>negative attitude<\/span><\/a> toward people with mental health conditions like schizophrenia. <\/span><\/p>\n
You may experience judgment from others if your partner has schizophrenia, and family members may even question your choice to have a romantic relationship with a person with schizophrenia. <\/span><\/p>\n
10. Difficulty with emotions<\/b><\/h3>\n
You may find that your partner will shut down emotionally if you try to discuss an important topic with them. They may also have difficulty <\/span>understanding your feelings<\/span><\/a> or expressing their own. <\/span><\/p>\n
11. Accusations<\/b><\/h3>\n
Sometimes, hallucinations and delusions linked to schizophrenia can lead your partner to become paranoid. <\/span><\/p>\n
They may accuse you of somehow “being out to get them,” or they may become distrustful of your intentions. Learning to cope with these accusations can be a challenge.<\/span><\/p>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> How to Handle Psychological Effects of False Accusations in a Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
12. Avoidance of romance<\/b><\/h3>\n
Romantic relationships<\/span><\/a> can be challenging for people who live with schizophrenia. They may lack romantic interest, or they may not understand romance. <\/span><\/p>\n
In a relationship, this can mean that your partner isn’t good at being romantic. They may have difficulty expressing affection or communicating a romantic desire to you. <\/span><\/p>\n
13. Added stress<\/b><\/h3>\n
Coping with the symptoms of schizophrenia can be difficult for you and your partner. Being in a relationship with someone who experiences a severe mental health condition can add additional stress to your life. <\/span><\/p>\n
Related Reading:-<\/i><\/b> 20 Causes of Stress in Relationships and Its Effects<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
14. Feeling neglected<\/b><\/h3>\n
Because your partner’s mental health needs are so strong, you might sometimes feel neglected. <\/span><\/p>\n
A significant amount of time and energy will go into meeting your partner’s mental health needs, and because of their difficulties, they may have difficulty making you feel cared for. <\/span><\/p>\n
15. Experiencing more problems in your relationship.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Every relationship has its ups and downs, but if you’re in a <\/span>relationship with a person with schizophrenia,<\/span><\/a> you may experience more problems when compared to people whose partners do not have schizophrenia. <\/span><\/p>\n
Research suggests that the partners of people with schizophrenia tend to perceive an average to a high amount of problems within the relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n
See the following video for more on “How does schizophrenia affect relationships?”<\/span><\/p>\n