Hey there, wonderful partners! We want you to know something crucial: we truly see you. Even when our minds are tangled in confusion, battling the chaos of our mental illnesses—be it anxiety, depression, ADHD, or any other challenge—there’s a tiny voice deep inside that recognizes, “This isn’t right. You need to stop.” Unfortunately, that voice often gets drowned out by the overwhelming noise of our struggles.
But don’t doubt it for a second; we appreciate everything you do for us. You shoulder a significant burden, and we’re aware of the solitary battles you face on our behalf. You are the unsung heroes, quietly doing the heavy lifting in our lives. If our struggles were physical—like needing a feeding tube or frequent hospital visits—society would shower you with praise. You’d be celebrated with parades and compliments about being such an amazing partner. Instead, we navigate the invisible landscape of mental illness, where the effort you put in often goes unnoticed.
You share your life with someone battling a chronic condition. Mental illnesses don’t leave visible scars or require medical equipment; we look just like everyone else. Sure, we might have hidden scars or pill bottles rattling in our bags, but those are mere whispers of our reality. To the outside world, we appear like any other couple. Yet, we are acutely aware of the late nights you spend by our side, comforting us when we’re overwhelmed, shaking, or crying over fears that often don’t make sense. You’ve learned that reasoning with us in those moments rarely works—and so, you simply sit with us, rubbing our backs and holding us close, providing a kind of solace that’s invaluable.
We know it’s not easy. During our darkest moments, we lash out with words that can wound deeply. Our rage often finds its target in you—the one person we trust most. We might scream that we want to end everything, convinced you’d be better off without us. Yet, somehow, you manage to take a deep breath and respond with, “Let’s talk about this later.” You’ve become a master at deflecting the chaos our minds create.
We tear ourselves down with brutal self-talk: “I’m a terrible person. I’m not a good partner.” And sometimes, we whisper thoughts of wanting to disappear. You’ve learned to gauge our moods, knowing when to ask if we have a plan or if it’s just a fleeting feeling. You’ve become skilled at guiding us from the edge of despair back to safety, melting the tension with your touch.
You’ve taken mental health days—not for yourself but for us—because there were times we couldn’t bear to be alone. You’ve held back your own feelings to avoid triggering ours, recognizing that our struggles can morph your emotions into our own. It’s an unfair balance, and we wish we could reciprocate the comfort you provide, but often, we simply don’t have the capacity.
You have been our advocate, coaxing us into therapy and treatment, assisting us in learning the skills to navigate daily life. You’ve picked up our prescriptions and gently reminded us to take our medications—not in a patronizing way, but with an understanding that it’s tough sometimes. You’ve cooked for us when we couldn’t muster the energy to eat, sat with us through mindless TV marathons when we were too drained to engage, and given endlessly of yourself.
Yet, there’s little recognition for what you do. There are no accolades for your sacrifices, and when you talk about it, others may question why you stay with someone like us. We feel the stigma surrounding mental illness, but still, you choose to love us through it all. You hug us, keep us safe, and show a love we often think we don’t deserve.
Ultimately, words fall short of expressing the depth of our gratitude for your unwavering support. We can only say this: Thank you, dear partner. Thank you for everything. We love you too.
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In summary, we recognize and appreciate the immense efforts our partners put forth while navigating the complexities of mental illness. Your support is invaluable, and we are endlessly grateful for your love and understanding.