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Relationships

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Distraught after finding out that he hid a serious mental health condition

220 replies

Notadrool · 22/08/2026 18:03

My bf deliberately lied to me about a serious mental health condition (schizophrenia). He never told me about it, and I found out by chance and it caused a massive row.

As we were packing up things (and throwing out a lot) I was surprised when he didn’t want me to go through some “boring” bathroom and medication box in his bedroom. I thought it was strange that he wanted to do it alone but didn’t think too much of it until I noticed that he threw what looked like medication boxes into one of the black bin bags. I checked later and googled the products and we had a big fight because I feel that was an absolute ass hiding this from me and that I should have known. He claims that there was no need because he is fine and there was never any reason to bring it up. I know nothing about this illlness apart from what I googled but said that it can’t be that fine if he is throwing out medication instead of taking it. He said that it’s old stuff that he stopped taking as he had been put on something different which is why it was still in the box.

I can accept that this is most likely true but for me it’s still a massive breach of trust not to have told me about this. I don’t expect someone to share every detail of their lice with their partner but this is serious I think that I should have been told so I can at least learn about it

I left and he hasn’t texted or called, which makes me even more upset because he clearly doesn’t even care. Things were good and there was no need to keep it unless he thinks that I’m completely shallow. FWIW I have a mental health condition too but I was upfront about it from the start.

I don’t even know where to go from here. I’ve texted a friend and will meet her tomorrow because I just want to wrap my head around it. I feel like such an idiot and I’m absolutely disappointed.

OP posts:
Teamrabbit · 23/08/2026 07:50

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 07:49

Not everyone thinks of every relationship as "I'm here because I know I want to die with this person".

Ok

AndSoFinally · 23/08/2026 07:50

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 07:37

Okay so it's your opinion on ethics guiding you. There isnt any law so nobody has to? Right.

Maybe not a law as such but certainly a societal expectation. If they were to go on to get married and he hadn’t told her, it would be grounds for annulment, so it’s clearly expected.

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 07:51

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 07:45

I think you should make it clear up front that someone has a ser amount of time to decide if they want to be with you before you believe they are a dickhead.

Most of us do 🤣

If I was dating someone for a year and they still werent certain if they wanted to be with me or not I'd dump them.

HannahSqan · 23/08/2026 07:51

Its so tricky isnt it. My husband has bipolar 1 and has had 2 x psychotic breaks. Inlove him for him but there are 2 major mental illnesses that are life ling and require meds - bipolar 1 and schizophrenia. I recall seeing my psychologist and askjng her what shr would do as a partner. She told me point blank if its bipolar, on meds, with therapy and the person has insight it can work. She told me she would leave schizophrenia as it tends to decline over time and is super challenging.
i also get why they hid it as its a deal breaker for many people

Itsnotgirlinterrupted · 23/08/2026 07:58

And what would happen if you replaced the poster's "schizophrenia" with "cancer", which can also have genetic elements?

Good to see stigma is alive and well.

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:00

Itsnotgirlinterrupted · 23/08/2026 07:58

And what would happen if you replaced the poster's "schizophrenia" with "cancer", which can also have genetic elements?

Good to see stigma is alive and well.

So you think everything should be hidden from your partner?

What's the point in wanting a partnership then?- we may as well deal with everything alone by this rationale

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:01

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 07:51

Most of us do 🤣

If I was dating someone for a year and they still werent certain if they wanted to be with me or not I'd dump them.

So youd expect them to always know after a year if they want to spend the rest of their life with you?

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:03

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:01

So youd expect them to always know after a year if they want to spend the rest of their life with you?

After a year of dating I would want to know if they were serious about me and saw a future together for us, yes.

I dont see that as particularly odd or unusual at all. I always wanted to settle down and have a family so why would I waste time with someone who doesnt want that?

Notadrool · 23/08/2026 08:03

He did confirm if when I asked him about the medications.
Honestly, I’m more upset that that he didn’t tell me. I have bpd (eupd) so I absolutely understand what it’s like to live with a stigma.
He has asked to meet up and talk which is at least something.

OP posts:
Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:04

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:03

After a year of dating I would want to know if they were serious about me and saw a future together for us, yes.

I dont see that as particularly odd or unusual at all. I always wanted to settle down and have a family so why would I waste time with someone who doesnt want that?

I think it depends on the relationship, phase of life, lots of things.

OneShyPeachShark · 23/08/2026 08:06

Itsnotgirlinterrupted · 23/08/2026 07:58

And what would happen if you replaced the poster's "schizophrenia" with "cancer", which can also have genetic elements?

Good to see stigma is alive and well.

Cancer doesn’t make you potentially dangerous to others.

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:07

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:04

I think it depends on the relationship, phase of life, lots of things.

Yes, which is why I dont get why you seem so incredulous about it.

If you want kids and are in your 30s its kind of important to know if the person you are with just wants to casually shag around or if they want something more serious!

Namechangedasouting987 · 23/08/2026 08:08

Notadrool · 23/08/2026 08:03

He did confirm if when I asked him about the medications.
Honestly, I’m more upset that that he didn’t tell me. I have bpd (eupd) so I absolutely understand what it’s like to live with a stigma.
He has asked to meet up and talk which is at least something.

I guess I would hear him out. You understand the stigma, the genetic component, the fear of telling and losing relationships. How did he react when you explained your condition?.

Teamrabbit · 23/08/2026 08:10

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:01

So youd expect them to always know after a year if they want to spend the rest of their life with you?

I’d imagine after a few months they’d know if they were hoping it was going to be something of substance. That they were both on the same page.

The OP calls him her bf & partner so by her accounts this is a committed relationship.

Even if after a year he didn’t feel the same way he still should have disclosed.

You yourself said having a mental health issue would be a deal breaker - yet you’re giving OP a hard time and trying to justify why he didn’t tell her. Why do you go on threads and do this?

Are you playing devils advocate or do you just not like women?

MyTakeIsntYourTake · 23/08/2026 08:10

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 07:24

Who says he is certain about their long term.future?

Its nothing to do with that. If they're in a relationship and spending lots of time together then OP needs to know incase any symptoms appear or should he stop taking his medication etc as depending on the severity of his illness, she or him, could be at risk of being harmed.At the least she would need to know so that she could contact someone for support for him. Also it would affect her decision whether to continue with a relationship whereas she might have considered it being long term.

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:10

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:07

Yes, which is why I dont get why you seem so incredulous about it.

If you want kids and are in your 30s its kind of important to know if the person you are with just wants to casually shag around or if they want something more serious!

Is the OP in her 30s and wanting kids soon?

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:11

MyTakeIsntYourTake · 23/08/2026 08:10

Its nothing to do with that. If they're in a relationship and spending lots of time together then OP needs to know incase any symptoms appear or should he stop taking his medication etc as depending on the severity of his illness, she or him, could be at risk of being harmed.At the least she would need to know so that she could contact someone for support for him. Also it would affect her decision whether to continue with a relationship whereas she might have considered it being long term.

Maybe he has people in his life that play that role.

Cannesdo · 23/08/2026 08:12

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 22/08/2026 18:24

Yep, that's the sort of thing that needs to be disclosed very early into dating.

I'd be out without a second thought if someone hid that from me.

Me too.

Namechangedasouting987 · 23/08/2026 08:12

OneShyPeachShark · 23/08/2026 08:06

Cancer doesn’t make you potentially dangerous to others.

Oh jeez stop knee jerk reacting. Plenty of people are dangerous to others without a mental illness! Most (85-90%) of those with schizophrenia are not a danger to others
I am sure if he was a danger to others it may have shown up in this year everyone is arguing about.

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:15

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:10

Is the OP in her 30s and wanting kids soon?

I have no idea- but you implied it was really odd that anyone would want to know after a year of dating if the relationship was going somewhere.

Its not odd and I gave you one possible reason why it wasnt.

There are also lots of other reasons why it's not odd- just use your imagination.

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:16

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:15

I have no idea- but you implied it was really odd that anyone would want to know after a year of dating if the relationship was going somewhere.

Its not odd and I gave you one possible reason why it wasnt.

There are also lots of other reasons why it's not odd- just use your imagination.

I didnt say it was "really odd" at all. I said that not every relationship works that way.

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:17

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:16

I didnt say it was "really odd" at all. I said that not every relationship works that way.

Is this true for the OP then?

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:18

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:17

Is this true for the OP then?

Is what true for the OP?

Teamrabbit · 23/08/2026 08:19

Namechangedasouting987 · 23/08/2026 08:12

Oh jeez stop knee jerk reacting. Plenty of people are dangerous to others without a mental illness! Most (85-90%) of those with schizophrenia are not a danger to others
I am sure if he was a danger to others it may have shown up in this year everyone is arguing about.

The issue is the choice wasn’t given and information was withheld.

dibleydob · 23/08/2026 08:19

Lexibletheflexible · 23/08/2026 08:18

Is what true for the OP?

That she doesnt care if the relationship is serious or not after a year of dating?