How to Help Your Spouse With Their Mental Illness

When you get married, you don’t want to have to think about the trials and hardships that you will have to deal with down the road — you want to live in the happy moment with the person you love. Unfortunately, the honeymoon doesn’t last forever, especially if your new spouse has a mental illness. As much as society would rather push the idea of mental illness under the rug, it’s important to take into account how it can affect others. Having a spouse with a mental illness is not easy, and there will be days that are harder than others. In today’s post, we will discuss how you can help a spouse with mental illness so that, hopefully, the good days will outweigh the bad.

If you are married to someone who struggles with mental illness and it is taking a toll on your mental health, then Long Island Counseling is here to help. We offer both individual and couple’s counseling services to help those with mental illnesses, as well as the people they love. You and your partner are not alone, and our licensed psychoanalyst, Lisa Lempel-Sander, is here to help you find the tools and strategies you need to combat any problems you face. Learn more about the services we offer, and continue reading below for more tips.

Educate Yourself

Some people struggle with mental illnesses like anxiety or depression for years, and you may be aware of their struggle before you get married. Other mental illnesses, on the other hand, may appear unexpectedly. Regardless of when your spouse developed their condition, it’s important to take the time and educate yourself. Each mental illness is different, and they affect people in different ways, so it’s important to understand the basics of how your spouse’s condition is making them feel. Resources you find online or receive through your therapist may not be able to explain to you exactly every symptom that your partner endures, but doing the research will give you a basic idea of how the mental illness operates and how to help your spouse cope.

Find Support for Yourself

As a spouse, you want the very best for your partner. You want to see them enjoy life and search for new ways to grow and have fun. Some mental illnesses make this journey quite difficult, and it can be extremely hard to see your spouse suffer and not be able to help. It’s as important for you to seek support as it is for your spouse. Living with and loving someone with a mental illness can easily cause problems if you let it, so it’s best to seek support from others who may be going through the same or a similar situation. Look for support groups in your area or try going to therapy. There are many ways in which you can find support, and having that outlet will make it easier for you to enjoy life with your partner.

Find Help and Support at Long Island Counseling

Many people struggle with some kind of mental illness, and if you are married to someone who has a mental illness, then you know that there are days when it can be difficult for both of you. At Long Island Counseling, we offer the support and resources you need to start living a better, healthier life. Learn more about our individual and couple’s counseling services, and give us a call to schedule an appointment.