Hello and welcome to the forum.
Congratulations for having the strength and conviction to persuade your partner to seek professional medical advice. Having a diagnosis is critical to effectively managing any mental health condition, and it’s often the hardest first step for people experiencing a mental health condition. So, well done to you both.
I care for a family member who also lives with a chronic mental health condition. I have learned some critical lessons, which might be useful to you.
I found it vital to learn as much as I could about her condition, so that I could offer useful support. It really helps to understand why your loved one acts the way they do, and know what to do to help when the rubber hits the road. If you ring the Beyond Blue support line (free, 24/7, professional counselling) they can help you to access evidence-based credible information. The number is 1300 22 4636.
You can also ask for information about carer support groups and services—they do exist but in my experience aren’t well known..
It’s also really important to look after yourself. It can be really challenging and exhausting to care for someone with a mental health condition, so you must invest time in yourself and provide yourself with lots of self care.
If you want to talk some more, I’m listening.
Kind thoughts to you
