I guess you could say it’s like any other marriage. It has its ups and downs, its good days and its bad days. For the most part, it has (and needs) a lot of love and affection.
It’s not an easy road like any other marriage, but it’s very rewarding. My husband is still my husband, just as he always has been. In between the hospital stays and psychotic episodes, which are fewer and farther between, there are moments of strength, love, and commitment like any other marriage. Some couples struggle with financial issues. For us, it’s mental illness, and I’m fine with it.
My husband’s diagnosis allows me to help and be there for him in a way that is unique to our marriage and our situation. I talk to him about his psychosis. I help him keep up with his medications, his appointments, and everything in between. I also take him to the movies because I love it (even if it’s romantic). I love driving with him and spending time with our families. Our marriage is as unique as any other marriage.
Sure, it can be stressful, but stress accompanies almost everything I do in my life. We love to do things like go to the zoo or go out to dinner. Honestly, the only real difference is that sometimes we have to take extra precautions. For example, sometimes we have walked out of restaurants or movie theaters because they were too loud due to my husband’s schizophrenia. Other times, we have to be prepared for something that could trigger an attack. But most of the time, it is as unique as any other relationship. We live, laugh, and love together on this journey known as life.
Does marriage include a “disability” (I use the word disability because I personally find it misleading, but that’s a story for another day) for everyone? No, everyone handles these things differently. But it works for us. If you are truly in love with someone and are willing to go through hell and back for happiness, then do it.