The best thing you can do for the both of you is keep your g/f on her meds & keep all doctor appointments.

Thank you... I was starting to think noone would answer at all. I know she has to have plentyu of sleep and takes her meds regiliously. I'm just hoping if they start becoming uneffective we will notice before she has a total relapse.

Sign up with NAMI.org they are very supportive and are a national organization. They have services and groups for family and friends of the mentally ill too. Encourage her to develop a WRAP (well and recovery action plan) with her mental health care support network, and family and friends.

There may be times when sexual functioning is affected by both the meds AND the illness or one or the other. Be sure to be supportive to her and listen to her feelings and try to understand them. This can be very frustrating for people to go through, male or female.

If ever she becomes delusional and is afraid of you or something else and she takes off or begins taking evasive actions, don't give up on the relationship. Do whatever you can to win her trust within reason while still trying to help keep her safe. Do not abandon her even if you think she's abandoned you. The illness can make people run for their lives out of pure terror. If she loves you and leaves you, it's highly possible that she was afraid that she had to leave or someone would die or be hurt somehow. It's a big part of delusions/paranoia. It becomes a life or death scare.

If she becomes dangerous to herself or others, even if just threats, consult with a psychiatrist (preferably hers) and also with her trusted family members and other friends in common. Contact the local dept of human services also and/or a trusted mental health service. Try to follow the WRAP plan to avoid escallating the problems.

I don't know how serious the two of you intend to become in the future, and if you are considering children. I would suggest, if you do decide to have kids, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of staying on meds while pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Also, raising kids is stressful even without a mental illness, so be sure to give her LOTS of support (e.g. cooking meals for her after the birth, helping with diaper changes, etc.) Just bear in mind that the stress you feel in everyday life is magnified for her in all her experiences, and that she really needs as much help and love (and positive comments--"you are a great wife/mother.") Again, I apologize if this post about children does not reflect your plans for the relationship, but I just feel the need for people to understand how much support someone with this diagnosis truly needs, especially during sensitive transitional periods. Good luck!

First, let me say to you "It is great that you are aware & supportive of your girfriend"...there are various degress of Schizo-effective disorder and if she has not had an episode in 5 years that is AWESOME! I agree with mishaC....she needs to keep on her meds and in touch with her psychiatrist on regular basis...that is the most critical thing to keep as stable as possible. I would discuss pregnancy with her doctor if you are planning to have a child...talk to the doctor before a pregnancy happens. My son has schizo-effective disorder and he has decided not to have children with his significant other due to the responsibilities of a child. Everyone needs to access their own situations of course! Good Luck to you both!!

Hi Never, medication compliance is crucial in my experience, I as just wondering what age your girlfriend is? Of course there may be battles ahead but doesnt every couple have days like that, try not to worry yourself too much on negatives and enjoy your time together. Fair play to you for supporting her as you so clearly do and keep up the good work!! May you both have many many more happy days :)

Thank you for you replies everyone. She is very good at keeping her appointments and taking her meds. She makes me take my own something I am not good at(paxil for depression/anxiety) She remembers most of her onset and it scares her to think it can happen again. She is 29 like me and do not plan to have children. I love her dearly and support her in everyway possible. She has some issues remembering things more than the normal. Is that common among you also?
Is it the meds or the disorder itself?