• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Immunocompromised Care
    • Top Blacks in Healthcare
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Mental Health / #MentalHealth Myth Buster: Dating Someone With Mental Illness Will Make Me Sick, Too?

#MentalHealth Myth Buster: Dating Someone With Mental Illness Will Make Me Sick, Too?

couple sitting on couch

Mental illness, like other medical illnesses such as diabetes or cancer, requires personal and professional attention to its effects on mood, thinking, relationships and overall well-being. As medical evidence shows, mental illness results in more disabilities than any other group of illness, including cancer and heart disease.

However, people who survive mental illness can work, raise a family and be productive citizens. They date, marry and do anything else anyone without an illness does. So, why then are some people, including singles, afraid to date a person with depression or anxiety? Are they worried they’ll “catch” something like people who catch the flu from being in public places?

Sign Up for the Black Doctor Newsletter!

 

Here are a few things single people who date should consider when choosing a mate with mental illness:

MYTH: Mental illness is contagious. Mental illness is a medical and biological disease. It’s not a contagion that you “catch” from spending time with other people. Notwithstanding the effects that being around depressed or anxious people can have on our own mental and spiritual well-being, but dating or even marrying someone with a mood disorder, for example, does not necessarily create illness in us. But as with other medical diseases, there are courses the disease goes through that can be taxing on the sufferer and their loved ones, but there are periods of latency, too.

You May Also Like
9 Foods You Should NEVER Eat after Age 30

MYTH: Asking about mental health history is too personal when dating. Dating should be an exploratory and fun time. But it should also be a time for people to learn about their partners, ask questions about previous relationships, family history and personal challenges. Dating someone who suffers from a mental illness, especially one that may be chronic but not psychotic, can be similar to dating someone who struggles with other personal tribulations. The way someone acknowledges and deals with living with an illness speaks volumes to their quality of life, and ultimately your quality of life as a couple.

MYTH: People always know they have a mental illness. Adults with mental illness may not always know they have it. It can take a loving partner to gently point out what they see about a person’s mood or thought process. If you find that someone you’re dating presents with concerns of a possible mental illness, the first rule of thumb doesn’t have to be to run the other way. Be patient and see if what you’re concerned about interferes with your getting to know the person. If it does, then address what you see at an appropriate time. The gesture may or may not be well received but it will at least inform you as to whether you should proceed with that person as a serious candidate or not. Listen to your gut!

 

Asha TarryAsha Tarry, Licensed Mental Health Specialist and Owner of Behavioral Health Consulting Services LMSW, PLLC (www.BHConsultingServices.net). Follow her @ashtarry on Twitter/ Asha Tarry on Facebook and LinkedIN.

January 23, 2015 by Asha Tarry, LMSW

Read Next Article

The Latest In Mental Health

Megan Thee Stallion

Mental Health Matters: Megan Thee Stallion’s Call to Check on Your Friends

Megan Thee Stallion is urging you to check on your friends. The rapper, whose offstage name is Megan Pete, is part of a new public service announcement called Seize the Awkward, a national campaign to encourage young people to talk to read more about Mental Health Matters: Megan Thee Stallion’s Call to Check on Your Friends
practicing mindfulness

3 Benefits Of Adding Mindful Practices To Your Daily Routine

Contemplative practices such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness are becoming increasingly more popular in many urban communities. From yoga studios to retreats, many of us are now starting to gravitate toward life practices that focus on the mind, body, and read more about 3 Benefits Of Adding Mindful Practices To Your Daily Routine
fantasy football

6 Ways To Stay Stress Free This Fantasy Football Season

It's that time of year again - fantasy football season has arrived! Many are eagerly anticipating gathering with friends and family to watch their favorite sport, all while avoiding the dreaded punishment for coming in last place in their fantasy read more about 6 Ways To Stay Stress Free This Fantasy Football Season
types of grief

Recognizing the 9 Different Types Of Grief

Losing something you value causes pain, but there are various sorts of grieving beyond the death of a loved one. When someone, place, pet, or item you care about leaves your life, you may feel loss. This emptiness causes regret read more about Recognizing the 9 Different Types Of Grief
back to school

4 Tips To Help Your Child’s Back-To-School Anxiety

Back-to-School season is upon us – if you couldn’t tell by the uniforms and school supplies strewn all over every department store. And, as the yearly routine goes, there are a few tykes somewhere in the world begging their parents read more about 4 Tips To Help Your Child’s Back-To-School Anxiety
podcasts for mental health

Best Podcasts For Your Mental Health

Remember when we were all stuck in the house, quarantining in 2020? The podcast space saw major growth during that period being that we were all spending more time in solitude. We needed someone or something to relate to. That read more about Best Podcasts For Your Mental Health

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

6 Things In Your Home That Can Cause Cancer

things that cause cancer

3 Supplements You Should Be Taking Daily

daily report

World’s Oldest Woman Shares Secret to Long Life on Her 117th Birthday

World’s Oldest Woman Shares Secret to Long Life on Her 117th Birthday

Hip-Hop Legend of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in ICU

Hip-Hop Legend of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in ICU

Nelson Mandela’s Granddaughter Passes Away of Cancer at 43

Nelson Mandela’s Granddaughter Passes Away of Cancer at 43
Find a Culturally Sensitive Doctor

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.