Those with schizophrenia tend to avoid relationships and social situations. However, because schizophrenia most often emerges in one's teens or twenties, there are some individuals who may have formed relationships or even gotten married before they discovered that they had schizophrenia. If you are in a relationship with someone with schizophrenia, you may find it difficult to work through your relationship.

Make Sure to Get Help

A large part of improving your relationship with someone with schizophrenia is to make sure that they get the help they need. For example, your loved one might need medications to control his or her psychotic episodes. 

Learn About Schizophrenia

Becoming educated about the symptoms of schizophrenia can help you better live with a person suffering from this condition. Schizophrenics can sometimes struggle to differentiate fantasy from reality. They may find it difficult to make decisions or have a hard time handling their emotions. They may have periods where it's difficult to think clearly. Most importantly, schizophrenics can sometimes struggle to relate to other people.

Beware of Extreme Introversion

Some schizophrenics can become so introverted that they would rather not talk to anyone. Some degree of introversion can be fine for many couples, but you may have a difficult time maintaining a relationship with very little communication. Your partner might suddenly experience a collapse in motivation.

Expect Bad Days

A common struggle is that you might occasionally feel like a caregiver when your partner loses his or her ability to engage in basic activities, such as bathing and dressing. When your partner is not in such a state, what can really help is to allow them to communicate honestly and openly about their feelings. This can help your partner remain in an emotionally balanced state.

Seek Counseling

Couples counseling is an important part of any relationship that involves a partner with a mental illness. Counseling can help you through communication problems, conflicts with child rearing, and other issues that might be exacerbated by schizophrenia. An individual counseling therapist can help your partner work on social skills that can help both of you form and maintain a relationship.

Your partner might need help remembering to attend sessions. Also, he or she might not be motivated to attend, and you may need to put pressure on him or her. But if you are committed to the relationship, you can have a successful relationship with a schizophrenic partner.