Is it ok to date someone mentally different from you?

[Anonymous]

Why do you think that’s ok? And it’s not true that no one would want to date someone with a mental disability right? They are just ignorant?

[OlderAndWiser]

If someone does not want to date a person with a mental disability, why does that make then ignorant? About 15 years ago, there was a young woman who attended my church with her mother. To me, it was obvious that she had some degree of mental retardation. She took a fancy to me and asked me for a date, but I have no interest in dating a mentally retarded woman. What would I have in common with her? If I had wanted to take advantage of her, I could have easily done so, but I didn't. And you call that ignorance?

[ManOnFire]

Why would that not be okay? If you have the capacity, patience, and compassion to handle them then go for it. Mentally "different" people need love too.

[Asker]

Yeah they do! But on another forum someone said no one would want to date someone with intellectual disability or put up with them! Why would they say that?

[jahaims]

Because mentally healthy people aren't obligated to deal with the burden of other people's mental issues

[Asker]

@jahaims Really? Like how?

[ManOnFire]

So in fairness most people aren't willing to date someone with mental disabilities, but you do have some who still have the patience and compassion to do so. And it isn't wrong for them to want to.

[Asker]

Yeah you are right!

[AI Opinion]

My aim here on GAG is to help you untangle love, mindset, and all those sneaky red flags and green flags in between.

Yes, it’s absolutely okay to date someone who’s mentally different from you. Everyone’s brain is wired differently anyway. Mental disability doesn’t erase someone’s worth, charm, or ability to love.

The key is respect, patience, clear communication, and honest expectations. Some people avoid dating those with mental disabilities out of ignorance, fear, or stereotypes, not truth. That’s on them, not on you.

You deserve someone who sees your value, not your diagnosis. Anyone who can’t do that is a walking red flag, babe 💋

[DishLady]

It's often recommended, actually. If you're both good at exactly the same things there's nothing to challenge you. And what's life without a good challenge?

The person I had felt was MOST suited to me is very good at a couple of things I'm only marginally good at (and actually struggle to complete, while they're super simple and common sense for him).

I don't recommend the "opposites attract" mentality in terms of personality, though, bc that's sometimes toxic depending on the combo.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Not just okay, but preferably he will be very mentally different from me 😂

[MissSunshine2]

Look, from experience, there’s a fifty percent chance that you won’t get friendzoned or dumped by a guy when you have mental health issues, like schizophrenia. There are currently two men pursuing me. One who thought he could do better and obviously he can’t. He friendzoned me. Another who has been pursuing me and seems better. Ultimately, he might disappear, too. But he did say he’s seeking marriage and he closed his dating app after starting to chase me. So I’m hoping that’s a good sign.

I find the best thing to do is to immediately explain your mental illnesses and how much they affect you and what it means for a relationship. What I’ve learnt to do is to be more independent. If I really want a nice piece of jewellery? I buy it for myself. I had a friend who had a beautiful engagement ring and I wanted a ring like it and knew I might never meet the right guy, with my track record of low quality guys. So I saved up and bought it. I get my emotional needs met by my circle of guy friends. My point is maybe you should do the same.

schizophrenia runs in my family. Three of us got it. I’m the only one that stayed single. That tells you there’s a fair chance for marriage, provided that you can at least work part time and are complying with medical treatment and therapy.

[Alia_Czechgirl]

I definitely wouldn't live with a mentally ill person. But living with someone mentally different than me is completely normal in my opinion. Two mentally identical people would kill each other after a short period of living together in my opinion LOL

[WhitneySnow]

It’s fine. Neurotypical people and people on the spectrum can definitely date as long as they acknowledge, respect and value each other’s differences.

[Asker]

What if they are mild intellectual disability? And low IQ

[WhitneySnow]

Still works as long as the neurotypical person respects and cherishes their partner’s differences

[genericname85]

what do you mean "mentally different"? we're all individuals. that means nobody is mentally the same. you litterally can't date someone that's mentally the same cause that doesn't exist.

[Asker]

I mean like dating someone with a disability

[genericname85]

i mean don't disabled people deserve love? what's wrong with loving someone that has a disability?

[Asker]

Yeah I think you are right! They deserve love too! But why do some people think that they won’t want to date them because they won’t have the patience?

[genericname85]

everyone is free to choose who they wanna date. nobody can force you to date anyone. freedom of choice is a thing. by the same token that nothing is wrong in dating someone with a disability, nothing is wrong with not dating someone with a disability if you don't wanna.

[molonski2]

Each to their own , but there is absolutely NO WAY I'd want to be involved with someone with a mental disability , life's hard enough.

[Asker]

Why?

[Abbycado]

Please see someone about your problems. No matter what we say, you post the same thing again the next day.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the most normal person, so I might have more tolerance than others. It depends on the disability.

[Asker]

Ok good! And what about mild intellectual disability?

[Opinion Owner]

I wouldn't immediately write you off.

[RavVid]

I don't care so long as they are not arrogant in their ignorance

[whosnumber_1]

We are all on some sort of spectrum for something. ADHD, depression, autism whatever.

[Asker]

What if it’s mild intellectual disability?

[whosnumber_1]

Like you feel less intelligent than your partner or visa versa?

[Asker]

Yes like low iq

[whosnumber_1]

Intelligence doesn't make you a bad person or mean that you have less to give. What are your passions

[azertytoga]

I guess that would depend on how you define "mentally different from you" are you speaking aout mental illnesses? a way of viewing the world? morals? values?

[Asker]

I am talking about a mental disability like intellectual disability that’s mild

[azertytoga]

oh wow I would've never thought about that. well I guess yeah that's okay, why wouldn't it? as long as they're a nice person there's no moral wrong

[AngryCarl3]

I'm sure I already answered this question like a week ago. My thoughts haven't changed.

[KostasKouvalis]

It's okay, but I don't think you'd get along with them

[Alex-Snow]

Sure but make sure to discuss your differences openly and honestly

[Nikki1989]

Seek therapy ASAP.

[Zionne]

when love strikes at most

[dudeinohio]

It's ok.

[Grilo]

Not ideal