Each person who enters a mental health facility has to go through one similar experience – transitioning back to everyday life post-treatment. This process comes with many challenges that require overcoming emotional turmoil, especially within romantic relationships. Dating, in general, can be complicated. It brings a wide range of emotions – both good and bad – but exposure to these complex emotions too soon can be problematic. Due to potential problems, many individuals decide to wait until they have been in recovery and are mentally well for some time before they begin dating again.
With the increase in the emotional turmoil that comes with dating, identifying and managing them is critical. Failure to acknowledge them or learn effective coping techniques can put your well-being and the relationship at severe risk. With the Alter Wellness Mindfuli platform, you can confidently work with a counselor to help you overcome emotional turmoil. The extra assistance can help your romantic relationship flourish while continuing to maintain wellness long-term.
When Is the Right Time to Start Dating While Recovering from Mental Health Conditions?
Before acknowledging the emotional turmoil of dating, you must determine the right time to start dating. Many professionals encouraged people to wait until they have a strong foundation of recovery, a healthier mindset, and achieved overall well-being to start dating. This can reduce the risks of relapse, as too much turmoil in early recovery can be dangerous due to the susceptibility to experiencing intense triggers and falling back into harmful habits.
Granted, individuals can experience these triggers at any point in life. However, early life post-treatment is a particularly vulnerable time.
Additionally, starting to date too soon can hinder the treatment and healing journey. Some of the potential risks to consider include:
- Entering a relationship that may become toxic
- The inability to discover and become comfortable with your identity post-treatment
- Spending more time focusing on a relationship rather than your well-being
- Replacing harmful behavioral habits with other bad habits
- Dealing with complex emotions before having a solid mental health recovery foundation
Dating can be complicated for anybody. Unfortunately, mental health conditions can complicate things even more. Aside from determining the best time to start dating, there are other factors to consider when dating while trying to maintain your mental well-being.
Factors to Consider When Dating in Recovery
The first additional factor to consider when dating in recovery is what kind of conversation you plan to have with the person you date. That conversation revolves around disclosing that you are struggling with a mental health condition. Should you reveal your condition? If so, when is the best time? How will the person react? These are some questions that may cross your mind. The topic may present itself before you are ready.
Discussing mental health in a new relationship is only one factor to think about. It is prudent to also consider the potential outcomes of dating and how it will impact your life and wellness. That includes:
- Telling someone you are recovering from a mental health condition
- Preparing for their reaction
- Dealing with the stereotypes associated with individuals with mental illness
- Potential rejection in the early stages of healing
- The emotional toll dating may have, especially if you find yourself in a breakup
Speaking with a counselor or peers once you have begun dating can help. However, preparing for the emotional turmoil you may experience is still vital.
What to Expect When Overcoming Emotional Turmoil in Your Dating Life
Healing and recovering from trauma or mental health conditions is a time of emotional growth and self-discovery. Emotional turmoil can hinder this journey.
Some things that may cause emotional turmoil within your romantic relationship include:
- Lack of communication
- Excessive separation
- Projected trauma from past experiences
- Extreme jealousy
- Constant fighting
- Lack of trust and honesty
- Emotional, verbal, or physical abuse
- Lack of boundaries
- Family tensions
- Codependency
Overcoming emotional turmoil can be challenging, but being complacent and in denial are two of the least beneficial things you can do. Denying problems such as these and hoping tensions will dissipate only ensures things will get more harmful.
How to Start Overcoming Emotional Turmoil in Your Romantic Relationships
Overcoming emotional turmoil is worth the effort to save your relationships and recovery. Though it may seem impossible, you can do it, especially with help. Some ways to start overcoming emotional turmoil in your romantic relationship include:
- Learning to improve your communication skills
- Getting the outside opinion of someone you trust
- Considering couples counseling or relationship therapy
- Not forgetting to prioritize your well-being and self-care
- Acknowledging the differences between you and your partner
- Considering taking a break to regroup and collect your thoughts, needs, and desires individually
- Speaking with an accountability partner if you fear the turmoil is impacting your overall well-being
- Realigning your priorities in accordance with your lifestyles and relationship goals
- Considering individual therapy to work through issues contributing to relationship turmoil
- Taking more time for each other in a way that showcases love and appreciation for one another
Overcoming emotional turmoil is not an exact science, and there are many ways to go about it. For additional help in overcoming emotional turmoil within your relationship, reach out to Alter Wellness Mindfuli.
You will experience many challenges upon reintegrating into life post-treatment. That includes determining when to start dating and how to manage the emotional stress or tension that often comes with romantic relationships. Dating too soon can put your mental health at severe risk. Nevertheless, overcoming emotional turmoil in your romantic relationship is possible by improving communication, talking to a trusted confidant, and considering relationship therapy when you require professional help. Alter Wellness Mindfuli offers many services to individuals through our online and convenient virtual platform. All you have to do is answer a few short questions and a professional counselor can be available at your fingertips. Call (866) 973-4415 to learn more about how we can help today.
