Have you ever noticed that people form relationships with their own kind? Teachers marry teachers; Doctors marry Doctors; musicians attract musicians. But what of professional services users? Ever been on a date and had to stop to take medication? I have; it's not good.
The reason I bring this up today is that I ran a training session for some colleagues at the university on Thursday. We were talking about tips to maintain wellbeing. Someone said avoidance of what he called "co-dependent relationships". It was an expression born out of bitter experience. I think there was some substance in what he had suggested. That said I have no doubt that some relationships between people with mental illnesses can and do flourish. But I suspect many others fail.
Over my years roaming the strange world of mental health, I have noticed that a huge number of sufferers are single. This seems to be particularly so of men. I'm lost count of the number of young men who felt that getting a girlfriend would make their lives better. Not sure that is the case. Likewise there are many women who avoid relationships because of their experience at the hands of men.
I rather like being single; my life is so much less stressful then. I'm not looking for anything in particular but I know what I'm not looking for-forming a relationship with another service user. I spend too much time looking after my students and myself without having to come home to it every night.
So what else has been happening in my world? Lots of complex case work. Suspect I will have to work late much of next week. But it will ease off. And anyway, however complex my work can be it is almost never dull and is always rewarding.
Now back to a quiet Sunday. I indulged my passion for pork earlier-lots of delicious crackling. Was also very restrained in that I didn't open the fine bottle of rioja I have waiting. It is indeed a quiet Sunday! Now to enjoy the rest of the sunshine
I Heard a Voice.
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