Polyamory on Purpose Archive

Tag: Mental Illness

  • Poly Advice for the Mentally Ill: “Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations”

    I’ve written a fair bit about boundaries in the past. There is a fair bit of theoretical discussion in polyamory about the benefits of using boundaries or agreements in relationships. Theory aside, no matter which you use for relationships, we all have personal boundaries. For instance, many people have a boundary about respect in relationships.…

  • Mental Illness and Polyamory Recap

    This blog series is already one of the longest I’ve written, and I’m about to add a bunch more information. So before we dive back in I decided it would be good to do a quick recap of the key points of the series so far. Educate Yourself If one of your poly partners suffers…

  • Polyamory and Mental Illness, Part II

    Okay, folks. After a much needed hiatus, I’m going back to tackling polyamory and mental illness. For those who are interested, the old polyamory and mental illness posts are below. Mental Illness: Monster or Myself My approach to mental illness frames it as something outside “who I am”. It is very similar to how I…

  • Abuse and Mental Illness

    Abuse or Mental Illness? In discussing mental illness, and specifically PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, I mentioned that some symptoms of mental illness can mimic abuse. I say mimic because while these symptoms may look the same as abuse, they are not about trying to control. Here’s a classic example: My partner has several mental…

  • Living with an Abusive Metamour (Guest Post by Liz Gentry)

    This week Liz Gentry of Learning Many Loves has chosen to share her experiences of living with a mentally ill and abusive metamour. Many thanks to Liz for opening up about this difficult experience. Don’t forget to stop back next week, when we’ll be taking a close look at the intersection of abuse and mental…

  • Polyamory and PTSD (and other trauma and stress related disorders) Part 2

    Part 1 Ways to Manage Trauma and Stress Related Disorders in a Poly Relationship Okay, I said this about anxiety and the same goes here: If anxiety manifests in ways that look like jealousy or controlling behavior, do not follow standard poly advice for dealing with jealousy. Learn to tell the difference between anxiety-induced and…

  • Polyamory and PTSD (and other Trauma and Stress Related Disorders)

    This post and others discussing specific mental disorders will reference the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Psychiatry and Psychology, Edition Five (DSM-5). Apologies to my international readers, I’m just not familiar enough with the ICD to use it as a reference. Trauma and Stress Related Disorders Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Acute Stress disorder Reactive…

  • Polyamory and Mental Illness – The Wrong Diagnosis (Guest Post by Michón Neal)

    Receiving the proper diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death, acceptance and ostracism, understanding and confusion. The right treatment can be an important part of functioning well, forming and maintaining relationships, and finding peace with your limits. However, when you’re a queer and poly female-bodied person of color the lines start to blur…

  • Mental Illness Treatment Intensity and the Impact on Polyamory

    FYI, depression is once again trying to kick my ass. Posts may be delayed while I’m getting it back under control. Thankfully, so far I seem to be winning. Last week I talked about the range of treatment from hospitalization to home care–ie the different levels of intensity of care that is available to people…

  • Course of Treatment: Treatment Options–Treatment Intensity

    In Western medicine, there are varying levels of treatment for mental illness. In theory, the more you are able to take care of and manage your own mental health care, the lower the level of treatment you receive. Hospitalization Hospitalization for mental illness has a bad reputation. A reputation that is historically valid but far…