Would you date someone who has a history of mental illness?

Suppose you meet someone, you started dating, are getting along with them, and they soon divulged that they suffer from a mental illness (like schizophrenia, bipolar disease, or multiple personality disorder) or have had a history with severe depression or rage issues -- and on heavy medication to control their condition. Would you continue the relationship? Have you ever dated someone who was on medication for a mental condition?

Second question first. No, I've never dated a woman with a mental illness or medical condition. At least not that I know of although looking back, maybe they just weren’t diagnosed. Would I if I knew? I guess that would have to depend on how I felt her…ah, felt about her. The heart can say “yes” when the head says “no”.

Chris wrote:Suppose you meet someone, you started dating, are getting along with them, and they soon divulged that they suffer from a mental illness (like schizophrenia, bipolar disease, or multiple personality disorder) or have had a history with severe depression or rage issues -- and on heavy medication to control their condition.

Then it would be bye bye, Sybil.

Honestly, I have had enough drama in my lifetime I would prefer to go out with someone that is a bit on the normal side with no medications involved and no multiple personalities. I would be friends with someone like that but not a relationship.

Nah. I've dated enough crazy motherfuckers without the medication. I don't know if I could deal with an official, legally crazy one.

Yes, if I were dating someone and he and I were getting along well and he told me he was suffering from a mental illness and on medication, I would continue to see him. There's no reason not to, if everything is going good. Funny, Chris, if you had asked the group here if they would dump a diabetic person, they would be "oh no, no, that would just be wrong!" but somehow it's okay to dump a mentally ill person for that reason alone. It seems they can't recognize their own prejudices.

To answer your second question, I have dated a man who was on medication for a mental illness. He dealt with major depression and he was the kindest men I ever knew. I wouldn't take back my time with him for anything in the world.

MandyPerfumeGirl wrote:Yes, if I were dating someone and he and I were getting along well and he told me he was suffering from a mental illness and on medication, I would continue to see him. There's no reason not to, if everything is going good. Funny, Chris, if you had asked the group here if they would dump a diabetic person, they would be "oh no, no, that would just be wrong!" but somehow it's okay to dump a mentally ill person for that reason alone. It seems they can't recognize their own prejudices.

Your comparisons are way too extreme. And dramatic, lol. You're going to compare a diabetic with someone who is mentally ill? Because quite frankly, asking someone if they would date a diabetic would be such an off beat question to begin with. If you're cool with dating a motherfucker who is fucked up in the head, legally, that's you. More power to you. If someone chooses not to, it's their preference. I prefer not to deal with that. I'm pretty sure you have preferences when it comes to guys you'd date so don't give anybody any of that bull. Being discriminatory against the mentally ill would encompass A LOT more than not willing to date one.

To answer your second question, I have dated a man who was on medication for a mental illness. He dealt with major depression and he was the kindest men I ever knew. I wouldn't take back my time with him for anything in the world.

Like your one man accounts for all the mentally ill patients out there, lol.

Date maybe, but nothing more. It would depend on how stable he was. I had a BiPolar roomie years back and it could get pretty bad - the mood swings, phone calls in the middle of the night that he'd have no recollection making to us, and so on. He also drank pretty heavily, so I think that countered whatever meds he was on. I don't think I could be in a serious relationship, though.

I had dramas in my life and still do...... there is no way my brain would handle more craziness!!!

Can't say for sure. I wouldn't get involved with anyone who I already knew was on crazy pills, but if we were already together when I found out and I was otherwise digging them, then I might hesitantly stick it out for the time being. It would all depend on how well we were clicking and how committed they were to staying healthy.

"Funny, Chris, if you had asked the group here if they would dump a diabetic person, they would be "oh no, no, that would just be wrong!" but somehow it's okay to dump a mentally ill person for that reason alone. It seems they can't recognize their own prejudices."

Mandy, apples to oranges, here. If I am single tomorrow, I do not have any fear that a diabetic would endanger my son. Somebody with a mental illness?? I can not be sure.

I would not be in a serious relationship with anyone who can be unpredictable sans meds. That is just too huge. Of all the instances Chris posted in his post, depression is the only one that is subjective. All the rest would make me really leery.

RedBedroom wrote: "Funny, Chris, if you had asked the group here if they would dump a diabetic person, they would be "oh no, no, that would just be wrong!" but somehow it's okay to dump a mentally ill person for that reason alone. It seems they can't recognize their own prejudices."

Mandy, apples to oranges, here. If I am single tomorrow, I do not have any fear that a diabetic would endanger my son. Somebody with a mental illness?? I can not be sure.

I would not be in a serious relationship with anyone who can be unpredictable sans meds. That is just too huge. Of all the instances Chris posted in his post, depression is the only one that is subjective. All the rest would make me really leery.

Severe depression I can deal with maybe. All the others (including rage issues) I couldn't take. I can't be with someone who has such a mental imbalance that they become another person and totally unpredictable when they're upset or unmedicated. Just don't got a "way" of reasoning with a crazy person to drop the knife.