Learning about your loved one’s mental health diagnosis is the best way to understand what they go through clinically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, and even physically. There are different ways to research a diagnosis. First, you can look up the specific diagnosis in the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders which is what diagnosing doctors use for the criteria to make an official diagnosis. You will learn what the requirements of the diagnosis are, which can help you understand how severe or not severe the diagnosis is. In addition, you can identify some of the symptoms you will need to learn to look out for.
The next best place to learn about their diagnosis is through first hand accounts online. Today, mental health is a popular subject on many blogs and websites. Thankfully, a growing awareness about mental health disorders has encouraged others to speak up about their personal experiences, their struggles, their treatment, and their recovery. In addition, there are many spouses and partners who write about their experience supporting someone with a mental health disorder. Reading these accounts can give you insight, teach you where to draw healthy boundaries, and most importantly, how to take care of yourself in the process.
Lastly, the best place to learn about your partner’s mental health diagnosis is from your partner. After doing research of your own, ask them if it is okay to ask them questions so you can gain a deeper understanding. Get their personal insight on their experience, what they need, what they go through, and what they are learning. If they are going to treatment, have an open conversation about how you can support them in the healthiest way.
Being in a relationship with someone actively seeking treatment and therapy for a mental health disorder means learning to take care of your own mental health in the process. Learning to set healthy boundaries and practice effective communication will help maintain necessary balance and structure in your relationship. Together, counseling or therapy can help you learn more about each other’s needs and wants, while developing healthy tools for supporting one another. Seeking out a therapist or counselor of your own can help you work through any issues which might come up, which isn’t uncommon.
Supporting couples and relationships is part of the therapeutic program here at Avalon By the Sea. Leading with premiere clinical care, our treatment programs are designed to heal mind, body, and spirit. For a confidential assessment and more information on our primary mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs, call us today at 888-958-7511.
