“Schizophrenia makes it hard for people to form close bonds,” says Dost Öngür, MD, clinical director of the Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Research Program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. Often, people with schizophrenia who are married met their partner before being diagnosed with the condition.

Is it safe to be in a relationship with a schizophrenic?

In severe cases, dating is probably out of the question. Even if your condition is well-treated, you may have trouble enjoying activities. It might be difficult for you to show your emotions, too. As a result, many people with schizophrenia find it hard to start relationships and keep them.

What is probably the toughest struggle for someone diagnosed with schizophrenia?

Hallucinations and delusions may be the public face of schizophrenia, but the hidden cognitive symptoms — which include difficulty focusing on mental tasks, understanding speech, and remembering what just happened — make it very hard for people with the condition to live satisfying, productive lives.

Can a schizophrenic love someone?

Psychotic symptoms, difficulty expressing emotions and making social connections, a tendency to be isolated, and other issues get in the way of meeting friends and establishing relationships. Finding love while living with schizophrenia, however, is far from impossible.