---
title: Understanding How Mental Health Affects My Relationships
date: 2022-11-13T22:37:35-05:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-understanding-how-mental-health-affects-my-relationships"
section: "Stories & Conversations"
---
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[Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Understanding How Mental Health Affects My Relationships

EN discusses how going to therapy has affected her relationships with romantic partners and her parents. She notes how mental health has played out in her romantic relationships and her parents' journey of understanding why she goes to therapy.

## Transcript

**OBOS Today:** How has mental health affected your relationships?

**EN:** Um. So sometimes I felt like I was very dependent on the other person. And he would have to, sometimes, would become my therapist, which is something that I personally was not comfortable with because I don't want to be in a relationship if I am not fully there. But even on like the flip side where I was with someone who had to deal with really heavy mental health issues, it was really hard. And seeing it from the other side it's like "Ok, so I have to remind you to eat, I have to remind you to do this." Like sometimes you start feeling like more their caregiver than their significant other.

**OBOS Today:** And even with relationships with your parents and stuff, are you having these similar issues or?

**EN:** Yeah so, my parents were always really supportive of me going to therapy, but they didn't really understand why. So, when I first started going to therapy, my entire family sat at my psychiatrist's office and we would get asked all the questions that we needed to and basically it was like, "I can't tell you anything, if she doesn't let me." So that is where I felt this sense of security and a place where I could talk about whatever I wanted. But um, yeah. Going to therapy has definitely made the relationship with my parents better. It helps me calm my emotions and just talk about things without screaming and yelling at them.

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ mental health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/mental-health)
- [relationships](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/relationships)
- [families](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/families)
- [support](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/support)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with the Stigmatization of Sexuality

SA shares how gaps in her sex education curriculum growing up failed to prepare her for sex. She discusses her desire for sex-positive sex education.

![Steph](data:image/png;base64,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)

SA shares how gaps in her sex education curriculum growing up failed to prepare her for sex. She discusses her desire for sex-positive sex education.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-dealing-with-the-stigmatization-of-sexuality)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Low Sexual Desire Levels

While motherhood decreased SA’s desire to have sex, communicating with her husband and redefining what sex looks like for their relationship has been helpful.

![Steph](data:image/png;base64,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)

While motherhood decreased SA’s desire to have sex, communicating with her husband and redefining what sex looks like for their relationship has been helpful.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-dealing-with-low-desire-levels)

[ResourcesRead

## A Disabled Person's Guide to Talking With Your Partner(s) About Sex

Disabled writer Carrie Kaufman created this excellent guide for disabled people who want help communicating sexually with their partners.

![Pexels judita tamosiunaite 2026764 scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Disabled writer Carrie Kaufman created this excellent guide for disabled people who want help communicating sexually with their partners.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-disabled-persons-guide-to-talking-with-your-partners-about-sex)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Mental Health Issues

MB describes her struggle coming to terms with mental health issues. She shares how her parents hindered her from getting help, but her friends supported her.

![Marisa](data:image/png;base64,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)

MB describes her struggle coming to terms with mental health issues. She shares how her parents hindered her from getting help, but her friends supported her.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-dealing-with-mental-health-issues)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Setting Boundaries and Communicating

MB discusses how consent, communication, and boundaries as practiced in sexual relationships can also be useful in working relationships.

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MB discusses how consent, communication, and boundaries as practiced in sexual relationships can also be useful in working relationships.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-setting-boundaries-and-communicating)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## If I Had Listened to Abortion Protesters, Things Would Be Different

A'yen talks about the forces that tried to prevent her from getting an abortion and how grateful she is that she was able to make the choice that was best for her.

![abortiontshirt](data:image/png;base64,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)

A'yen talks about the forces that tried to prevent her from getting an abortion and how grateful she is that she was able to make the choice that was best for her.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-if-i-had-listened-to-abortion-protesters-things-would-be-different)

[ResourcesRead

## Dear Black Women: An Affirmation Movement for Black Women by Black Women

A collection of positive affirmations and pep talks for Black women, by Black women.

![Pexels rodnae productions black women family scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A collection of positive affirmations and pep talks for Black women, by Black women.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/affirmations-an-affirmation-movement-for-black-women-by-black-women)

[ResourcesRead

## Afiya Peer Respite Center

Afiya, one of about a dozen peer-run respite centers in the U.S., provides alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization and other more invasive or disruptive treatments.

![pexels-tim-mossholder-942317](data:image/png;base64,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)

Afiya, one of about a dozen peer-run respite centers in the U.S., provides alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization and other more invasive or disruptive treatments.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/afiya-peer-respite-center)