Dating a person with a mental illness By Nicole (Pug Princess) Dating a person with a mental illness can be challenging for various reasons, however it can still be a very rewarding experience. You’ll need patience, empathy, and a positive attitude to make it work. There’s a balance between helping take care of them, and treating them like they can’t help themselves. Finding this balance and knowing how to cope can help ensure that your relationship is still healthy even if their mental...

Understanding the effects of sexual abuse on your partner By Kyra (Radioactive.) Trying to walk in the shoes of a victim of abuse or assault is understandably difficult. Sometimes it may feel like attempts to comfort, help, or sympathize with a victim of trauma can go unnoticed or unappreciated. The victim may be going through significant stress in multiple areas of their lives, and the trauma and stress cannot be fixed or forgotten overnight, even if it happened years before. This article...

The Single Life, Part Two By Dave (dr2005) and Katrina Questions and Answers Thus far, we have conjoined our thoughts and views on each of the above issues presented. However, to give readers a more comprehensive look, we have chosen to answer each of the following questions separately. In doing this, readers are given a male perspective as well as a female perspective, each from different countries, backgrounds, and upbringings. Question #1: “I’ve been single forever. Where do I...

The Single Life, Part One By Dave (dr2005) and Katrina As one enters adolescence, the pressures of being in a relationship are intensified, perhaps by the social networking relationship statuses open for the public to see, or the tendency to feel as though all of one’s friends are in relationships. As we’ve all seen in the movies, teenaged relationships can grow into marriages of “high school sweethearts,” and others still can turn into long term relationships stretching into the twenties....

Is your relationship healthy? By Ada (you'rebeautiful) and Robin (PSY) There are many reasons for a person to seek out a romantic relationship. For the sake of both people involved, however, it is important to ensure that the relationship is a happy and healthy one. Many people fail to make a distinction between the two. For example, one can be happy with their relationship, but exhibit signs of co-dependence. Relationships can also be fun and passionate, but lack the necessary components...

February 14th: Just Another Day By Cheyenne (Come As You Are) Valentine’s Day is the bane of many a single person’s existence. The sudden influx of roses, chocolates and love songs is enough to do anyone’s head in. Many, myself included, argue that Valentine's Day isn’t even a real holiday. It’s an excuse for Hershey’s and Hallmark to charge unreasonable prices for their wares all in the name of romance. As you can probably see, this isn’t an article about what to get your girlfriend for...

Technology in long-distance relationships By Traci (Traci) Technology has affected the way that we communicate in a variety of relationships. From reconnecting with old friends on Facebook to making new friends around the web, technology has changed the way that we interact. Technology allows long-distance relationships, from two lovers split apart by necessity to a couple that met over a dating site, to survive just as a normal couple would. Which apps are best for you and your partner?...

Taking a break in a romantic relationship By Robin (PSY) Taking a break in a romantic relationship can either help or hinder a couple's ability to work through conflict; therefore, it is important to approach a break in a healthy manner, regardless of whether or not the decision to take a break is mutual. Various events can lead a couple to consider taking a break, such as a major life change or hardship (e.g., moving to another state or losing a loved one), an ongoing issue (e.g., an...

Coping with jealousy in relationships By Traci (Revolution) Regardless of your particular romantic relationship, from different sexual orientations to having a long-distance relationship, you are bound to deal with jealousy, defined as an uneasiness or suspicion of unfaithfulness. In small amounts, jealousy is healthy, showing a love for that person and desire for mutual love, affection, and commitment. But if jealousy in your relationship is impeding you or your partner’s ...

How to begin dating By Barbara (Unbreakable♥) When you’re looking to date someone there are tons of articles and stories about how to talk to your crush or how to ask someone out. What you don’t see very often is what to do before all of that. Meeting other people When you’re first looking to date you have to meet people in order to see what type of person you’re attracted to or not attracted to. You might care about looks, personality, beliefs, or basically anything that makes a...