Be honest: If you found out someone you liked had a mental illness, would you still pursue them?

[Ozanne]

We've heard these comments before, such as:
"They were crazy, how do I end up with these people who have mental issues?"

So I am wondering - in this age of ending the stigma of mental illness - how far are you willing to accept it from someone new in your life? If you had a bad experience with someone suffering from a mental illness, will it affect how you choose a partner thereafter?

This is for people who find out early that their partner or crush has a mental illness, as I know finding out knee-deep after falling in love it makes things much more difficult.

Kudos to those who stand by and support their loved ones, and thank you all for answering honestly even if you think it might not be politically correct, or may make you seem insensitive to the issues. I understand we all have our boundaries.

I am willing to date someone with illness such as moderate depression or anxiety - nothing too distressing though

I am willing to date someone with any mental illnesses including bi-polar or most personality disorders

I prefer not to date someone with a mental illness

I have a mental illness / or will comment

[ShadezMcgee]

It would really depend on the illness. I myself since I was a kid had anxiety disorder and depression. I know the amount of a toll I took on not just my family, but my friends as well. It ultimately left me isolated and alone because I felt I would ruin everything and was too messed up to deserve any good relationships.

Knowing that I am stronger now despite still having instances of it has strengthened my resolve, but I don't think I could do anything beyond anxiety and depression. I can at least relate to the individual in that regard to help.

[Smoothing]

Being able to understand the nature of mental illness and having the capability to deal with it, is a determining factor for me to date some one with mental illness.

Obviously this all depends on the level of mental illness and it's cause.

For the most part, I would rather date some one who doesn't have mental illness.

We live in a world where mental illness is on the rise. Most of us will have had mental illness in our twenties or thirties and gotten well without even knowing it.

The problem is that most in society will think of the most extreme cases when mental illness is mentioned but there are mild cases that do not even necessarily require treatment. Social interaction with the right people is all it requires to heal.

One principle for me is that the mental illness should not have been a consequence of drugs. If it is, that is a definite deal breaker.

[zollo]

Well it of course depends on what the illness is and how severe. Just having a mental illness doesn't constitute crazy by any means. Anxiety and depression is Super common, around 18% of adults in the US have anxiety and or depression, roughly 40 million American's. Naturally for some it's absolutely debilitating but a lot of people with the help of either medication, therapy, life style and mind set changes, or all of the above lead not only normal but great lives. Everyone has some sort of mental baggage or traumatic event in their pasts, and while that doesn't mean they have a mental illness it still affects them and needs to be discussed and dealt with in a relationship similar to mental illness.

[DanaeAdam5]

Yes I would. I am currently working on getting my psychology degree, plus I have suffered from severe social anxiety in the past so I feel like I could handle and have an idea of what someone goes through or even help them. As long as they are willing to get help/work on getting better I would still pursue them.

[Pistolpete90]

It would need to be well-managed and no other drug issues present for me to consider a relationship with them. Otherwise I am not interested. I am too tired and old to deal with needless drama.

You can't help having a mental illness, but you can certainly choose to act like an adult with taking care of yourself and getting helpwhen you aren't doing well.

[PhantomMk]

Yes, I have my own health problems such as Scoliosis, Hyperglycemia, and Asthma I would want somebody to treat me the same way, I have corrected my Scoliosis through a spinal fusion I’m not limited in what I can do but there still is low back pain in some instances, I am working on lowering my cholesterol through dietary means and my asthma really isn’t bad. As long as the person is working on bettering themselves and are making the attempt then you damn straight I would Perdue someone with a mental illness,

[smash4isBetter]

I would only if the person was not severely mentally ill. That being said I did have major feelings for this one girl in high school, she was probably one of very few women in my life that had a facial set that was amazing. Nice nose, forehead, smile, cheekbones, hair. And not to be vulgar but nice body. But she had major problems mentally, so i never pursued

[Variety_3-14]

I’m willing to see if I can handle it. The only problem is if the relationship is new, I probably wouldn’t fight to keep her if she mentioned wanting to leave.
I’ve actually been “in a relationship” with someone with severe trust issues and other stuff that made her kinda needy and angry. But I stuck it out until she dumped me.

[Kurαȷ]

That depends on the type and extent of the mental illness.
I would date someone with generalized anxiety, but not someone with bipolar, borderline, schizophrenia and (obviously) not someone with antisocial personality disorder.

It just comes down to how big of a risk they are to me and themselves.

[scarlett774]

It depends on what mental illness they have and the severity of it. More so for their sake than mine because I don’t know if I can emotionally or stably be someone they need me to be.

[Omar5881]

I suffer from anxiety , I personally haven't met someone with a more distressing illness like bipolar disorder so I don't know about that but for someone suffering from depression or anxiety it wouldn't be a problem at all

[Anonymous]

It depends what it is and what they’re doing about it. My dad has mental health issues but he refuses to accept help and treatment and continues to make everyone else suffer for it. In that case I’d rather be rid of them personally as my life is far better without.

[Unit1]

Depression is my second name. I would he hypocritical to reject someone because they too have a chronic mental sickness.

[Inquisitive3]

I like crazy people quite a bit. Violent and mean is my limit though, no crossing that boundary.

[Hangry22]

Depends on what the illness is. If it's depression or BPD or something, i will atually be more attracted to that person. Ik i am crazy😅

[SnackAttack7]

That is a lot to shoulder when you start dating someone new. I don't think I would be able to pursue a relationship , but I don't mind being friends.

[KrakenAttackin]

Mild and treated depression/anxiety ok. BPD, hard pass.

[blackarchiteck]

No, I wouldn't waste my time. Why because it can be hereditary and your kids can carry these issues.

[Pete671]

I'd want to look after them as a friend,

[tHISpLACEiSbONKERZ]

Nope.