The best dating sites for people with depression

This article will discuss what are the best dating sites for people with depression, and why they are so good.

What are the best dating sites for people with depression? 

Some sites have been focusing on finding dates for people struggling with depression. Those usually take into consideration that dating sites can often be stressful. People are often evaluating you on the little things you say, and mostly on how you look. 

When you are depressed, you may experience a lot of changes, and it can even affect your self-esteem. So having a dating site in which people are open to a more honest connection, and learn more about the complex nature of each other’s emotions, can be a relief. 

Here are some good dating sites for people that have been struggling with depression.

No longer lonely

No longer lonely is a dating site that was created in 2004. It was created to help people that have been struggling with mental illness to connect and date amongst themselves. The main goal of the site is to get people talking.

They are all dealing with the shame and guilt that having a mental illness can lead to. So there is a space in which there is no stigma, and everyone’s the same. By 2018 the site had more than 54 thousand users, in over 45 countries. And by that time, there had already been 37 marriages between people that met on No longer lonely.

The creator of the site says that making your condition known by the beginning, allows everyone to feel more comfortable. There is no need to have awkward conversations about your diagnosis in the future or hide your medication. You may feel that it is easier to share the difficulties brought on by your condition. 

The website offers the chance for people with mental illness to deal with the difficulties of dating, which happens to everyone, in a more caring environment. And it breaks the stigma that people with mental illness are lazy, unstable, crazy, or even unable to love.

Lemonayade

This site is focused on helping people with chronic health conditions to find love. And since mental health conditions, including depression, are considered chronic conditions, one can apply to this site. 

But people are not asked to disclose what condition they have. The dating site was created by Niko G. after he had a positive experience going out with a person that had the same skin condition that he had. 

Because of that, he had the idea of creating a space in which people would feel comfortable getting to know each other more deeply and sharing the condition of their health. 

The creator of the site said that it can help people get out of their comfort zone, help others feel more valued in their condition, and some may even find love. He says that in no way this is a site to help sick people only date sick people, but rather one to open to new possibilities.

How depression can affect my dating life?

Depression impacts pretty much all aspects of your life, and your dating life is no different. It can lead you to become more irritable, which can make it harder for you to be around people, leading you to isolate yourself. 

You must also deal with the lack of energy, and the fatigue that depression brings will also make it harder for you to go on a date. Sometimes you may feel like getting out of bed is impossible, and getting dressed to go on a date, maybe even harder. 

Caring for a conversation can also be harder, you may feel it is harder to focus, so paying attention to what others are saying is harder. It also affects your self-esteem, and you can feel like you are worthless, which can impact how you relate to others.

So going on a dating site that is directed at people with depression, can put you in touch with people that are going through similar things, and as a consequence, they might be more understanding of what you are going through. 

What are the ups and downs of a dating site that focuses specifically on mental health?

Dating sites are always a stressful experience, and there is a lot to be said about the negative impacts they can have on your mental health. But by creating or joining a dating site that focuses on people of a determined condition, you can offer them a chance to connect with people going through similar things.

Even if a relationship doesn’t come out of it, sharing with others can help you in your process of self-acceptance, and even in your process of healing. By being in touch with someone that is going through the same thing, you may even be able to exchange experiences and develop new strategies to cope with your condition.

Those seem to be upsides of being a part of a dating site that is focused on people with depression. But there is a downside to that as well. By only relating to people that go through the same thing as you, you close yourself to the possibility of learning new things.

It may also be a way to make the stigmas even stronger, leading people out of that site to think about how hard it can be to date a person with depression, causing them to not even try to see the person beyond the diagnosis. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): What are the best dating sites for people with depression? 

How online dating impacts people with anxiety?

There has been a lot of questioning if people with anxiety have preferred to use dating apps, or if the use of dating apps has made people more anxious. What is known is that people with anxiety tend to use dating apps more, but they have a harder time initiating contact once they have a match.

This leads to the question of people with anxiety have been using the app more for the swipes, and losing the chance of taking advantage of the connections it can bring. Especially for anxious people, knowing who you are talking to, instead of going on a blind date, can be a great resource.

For socially anxious people, having a little more control of what you are saying, and how the other person perceives you, can make a lot of difference. But this can also lead to a problem, that when you meet the person face to face, you can be a big let down. 

All of this tends to lead people with anxiety down an anxiety spiral. They may already have matters with self-esteem, self-judgment, and how others see them. People with anxiety can often be more sensitive to rejection, and when they don’t get the validation they need in the app, it can trigger a lot of negative feelings in them. 

How can I date someone with a mental illness?

Although mental illness has been a taboo for quite some time, it can make you feel like you are walking on eggshells, but it doesn’t need to be like that. There are things you can do that will make your relationship a lot easier.

The first thing to do is educate yourself. Learn all you can about the condition your partner has, this will allow you to understand better what they are feeling and going through. You should also avoid using labels, and try to have a structured and stable routine. 

Being supportive and a part of their treatment will help them cope, and help you to understand it all better. You should keep in mind that you shouldn’t try to fix everything, offer them support, let them vent, but know that this is a process they will have to go through.

And don’t let go of yourself. In the process of caring for your partner that is struggling with mental illness, sometimes you can let go of yourself. But try to prevent it from happening. Keep in mind that the better you are, the better you will care for them.

Is it okay to date if I have a mental illness?

Yes, it is completely possible to date when going through a mental illness. What you need to keep in mind, and this is not a prerogative of someone struggling with mental illness, is that a relationship needs to be something that adds up to your life. 

Having an abusive relationship that has an even worse impact on your mental health is something you should avoid. You should be with someone open to accepting you and understanding your condition, and how it impacts your life.

If you find someone like that, it is safe to say that your relationship will be great, and will most likely have a positive impact on your mental health.

How can I break up with someone that has a mental health condition?

Breakups are never a simple thing. It can come as a surprise to the other partner, and you need to be careful about the way you do it with everyone, even people that have a mental illness. If you have decided it is time to end it, keep in mind that you are not the cause of the person’s mental illness.

This will allow you to keep a clear mind, and not be moved only by guilt. And as you talk to them, you may want to let them know that there is a lot of care in that relationship, but that things are different. Let them know you hope they stay safe, and stick to their treatment, and that you have only positive wishes for them in the future.

When should I tell the person I am dating that I have a mental illness?

There is no fixed schedule when telling someone you are dating that you have a mental illness. You should take into consideration how you have been feeling with that person.

Sharing about your mental health condition is private, so be sure to let them know when you feel comfortable with them, and think it is a safe space. Share when and with whom you think will listen, and be caring, respectful, and supportive of what you are going through and the needs that your mental health condition brings to your life.

Conclusion 

This article centered on showing what are the best dating sites for people that are struggling with depression. The article also explained why those tend to be the best ones.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to write them in the section below.

References

https://themighty.com/2018/08/dating-app-disability-chronic-health-illness/

http://mindsmattermagazine.com/the-online-dating-site-designed-for-people-with-mental-illness/

www.ameridisability.com