My story supporting my partner
with mental health issues
I was tired and being pulled in different directions, physically and emotionally. For the past few weeks since my partner had been signed off work with stress I’d adjusted my life and my working patterns: working from home on occasion, long lunch breaks to meet up, time off to spend together and go along to appointments. When I was working I was worrying about my partner. When I took time away from work I felt I should be contributing more. We were seeing more of the psychiatrist than any of our friends and family.
When the message flashed up on my phone: “have the yellow leggings arrived?” a cold trickle went through me. No, they hadn’t. Because I hadn’t ordered them. My friend had asked me to order them about a week ago and I’d forgotten. Something else that I’d got wrong; someone else I’d let down. I felt that by trying to do everything I was actually doing nothing right, that no-one and nothing was getting my best.
I cried in frustration. Who could I find to help me? My partner had support, what about me?