How open should we be in maintaining relationships

[Ash]

Managing personal relationships amid living with schizoaffective disorder is highly complicated. Deciding what to share with the partner or friend, when to disclose and how much transparency should be there is usually confusing. People are confused as they fear of being judged and this may lead to isolation.

Have you opened up about your disorder condition to friends, partners or family members? Has the openness helped in a positive way? Have you found ways to explain symptoms to them? Moreover, do people around you know how to help or assist you during episodes?

Let us discuss the situation here and how much openness helps in promoting better relationships. Also, share whether there should be some boundaries while sharing.

 

[johny899]

Being open allowed me to form more productive partnerships, but I was cautious and established a clear boundary for any personal information I chose to share. I discussed it first with a select few individuals whom I trusted, and this support eased my experience through some of the more difficult times. Sharing my symptoms in simple terms enabled my companions to know what they could do to assist during an episode.