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Listen to this Podcast and then answer this question in the comments below:

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Listen to this Podcast and then answer this question in the comments below:

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In this podcast, they talk about people with mental health issues dating people who also have mental health issues. What is your gut reaction to this? What are the positives or negatives of this situation?

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EP 21: Mental Illness and Dating: Romance or Tragedy?

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Read the two articles below and post your reactions to either one or both below. Also, comment on at least one of your classmate's posts.

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Please write below at least two questions about week three topics you have for class discussion.

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Post your infographic below. We will discuss in class.

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If you've ever been on a date, you've likely experienced that moment when you want to tell the person across the table from you something about yourself - but you're not sure if you should. Is it too "early" to tell him I desperately want kids? Will she still go out with me when she finds out I live with three roommates? When you have a chronic illness, mental illness or disability, you may feel like you have an extra "layer" of truths about yourself you're not sure if your date will be OK with. Ideally, everyone would be understanding of other's health challenges, but sadly some people aren't. If you've had bad experiences in the past, it can be a tough hurdle to get over.

That's the thought process behind online dating apps made specifically for people with illnesses and disabilities. The logic goes that by creating apps for people with health conditions, singles can find like-minded people who get your health challenges. This eliminates the potentially awkward, "So, I have to tell you something..." speech and misunderstandings that can occur when one person isn't sensitive to the other person's needs. Plus, meeting someone with similar health challenges can be pretty awesome. You already have a huge part of your lives in common.

Of course, these apps are not without controversy. Some argue that people with health challenges shouldn't have to "segregate" themselves and that people on all dating apps should open their minds to disabled and chronically ill people. After all, it's entirely possible for someone without health challenges and someone with health challenges to have a happy, successful relationship.

But, if you have a chronic illness or disability and do want to see if you can find love among other people with similar health challenges, there are a few dating apps to choose from. Check out the apps below and let us know in the comments if you'd sign up.

1. Gutsy Dating

Gutsy Dating is an app specifically for people who have digestive health problems like celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. The app was created by Phil Beesley, who has IBS and resides in the U.K. He told the website FODMAP Life that he first got the idea for the app three years ago, after talking with friends and hearing in IBS support groups how difficult it is to find a partner who understands your symptoms, and how difficult it can be to go on a date when you need to make frequent trips to the restroom or follow a strict diet.

"It was really upsetting to see so many people struggle to cope with the stresses of dating and finding someone who understands," he said. "There was much chat about a dating app for sufferers and why there was nothing like it in the market."
Download Gutsy Dating for free from iTunes and Google Play.
2. Lemonayde

Lemonayde is designed for people with chronic health conditions, although you do not need to disclose your specific diagnosis in your profile. Creator Niko G. told The Mighty he was inspired to create the app after his own positive experience dating someone with a skin condition similar to his (he has tinea versicolor). The relationship gave him confidence, and he wanted to help others with chronic illness explore dating by creating an app that makes it OK to talk about your health.

"Maybe that's all Lemonayde ends up being: a fire starter that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Or maybe you end up finding your one true love, who knows. In either case, as long as it's making someone's life better, it's done its job," Niko said. "Because, and I want to be super clear about this, I think we can all agree that no one wants to hear the phrase 'sick people should just date sick people.'"
Download Lemonayde for free from iTunes and Google Play. Monthly subscriptions cost $6.99, yearly subscriptions are $47.99.
3. Glimmer

Glimmer, a dating app for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, was founded by Geoff Anderson and his mother, Christine. Anderson told the Chicago Tribune that he was inspired by his brother, Steve, who has cognitive disabilities and wasn't having much success on dating apps. Anderson built an app that anyone can use (in fact, 35 percent of Glimmer users say they don't have a disability), but designed it with the knowledge that disclosing a disability on other dating sites can be difficult.

Like Lemonayde, you can choose to share your health condition on your profile or not, and you can search for friends or romantic partners by condition.

"If there are dating apps that make it easier for two people of the same faith to meet each other, I started wondering why there wasn't something out there to help people with disabilities do the same thing," Anderson said.
Download Glimmer for free from iTunes and Google Play Monthly subscriptions are $9.99, yearly subscriptions are $59.99.
Bonus: The Mighty's App

Did you know The Mighty has an app? Download our app to read more stories like this and connect with people from the chronic illness community.

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These Dating Apps Are Made for People With Illnesses and Disabilities

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If you've ever been on a date, you've likely experienced that moment when you want to tell the person across the table from you something about yourself - but you're not sure if you should. Is it too "early" to tell him I desperately want kids?

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Dating apps are now a firmly established part of the dating scene. These include Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and a range of others suited to different tastes. The basis of these apps is simple. Users can create a profile by uploading several photos, along with a short text description. This becomes visible to other users who can then "like" or "dislike" the profile.

When two users like each other, they can start text messaging on the app. Popular dating apps such as Tinder now have over 50 million active users, with some reports noting that the average user spends a whopping 90 minutes per day on the app.

These dating apps represent a significant new social phenomenon; a far cry from the singles bars and social mixers of times past. Interestingly, the impact of dating apps on mental health has been under-researched, but some preliminary evidence suggests they may cause issues.

Regular Rejection

Some research indicates that dating apps expose users to considerable rejection. One study found a low rate of matching, particularly for men. This study also found that around 50 percent of matches do not message back. Hence, dating app users are constantly being "disliked" and ignored.

Worse still, many users report that first dates are often awkward, crude, and unrewarding. In my own research, people report many demoralizing experiences in this new dating world, noting that in-person realities can be wildly different from online personas.

Indeed, a common experience reported by many people who use dating apps is " ghosting"; the sudden ending of a developing relationship without explanation or forewarning. This can be a dehumanizing and damaging mental health experience.

These experiences are encapsulated in the entertaining yet touching short film below, exploring themes of connection and rejection which recently premiered at the Au Contraire Film Festival in Montreal. A man and woman hit it off online and agree to meet for a first date. What happens when they meet in person? Watch it and see a poignant reality that is played out daily.

Human Disposability

These negative experiences can lead users to question their physical appearance, conversational skills, and the general reliability of the opposite sex. Indeed, a University of North Texas study found that dating app users report lower self-esteem and lower psychosocial well-being than non-users. This could be related to frequent and regular rejection.

Indeed, dating apps could contribute to a culture of human disposability, with users becoming part of a "throwaway society." All this may be driven by a "tyranny of choice." Dating apps have millions of users, and users may be simultaneously messaging many other users. This can lead to a superficial breadth, rather than meaningful depth, of connections.

In fact, this overwhelming choice can lead to endless self-questioning regarding dating options. Many users may constantly be asking themselves, "Is there someone better than this on the next swipe?"-leading to a merry-go-round of dissatisfying brief relationships.

Anonymity and Deceit

In times past, men and women tended to meet at work, through mutual friends, or at social venues such as church or sports clubs. In other words, their relationship was rooted in a pre-existing social ecology where others could generally be trusted. This could inhibit contemptible dating behavior as wrongdoers faced opprobrium from the pre-existing community.

However, no such social ecology exists within the world of dating apps. On the contrary, some dating app users can hide under a cloak of anonymity or deceit. This can include deception about personal characteristics such as age or profession, as well as dishonesty regarding intentions.

Again, experience of such deceit may be damaging to mental health, leading to painful emotions, less trust, and more self-doubt. This can interact with a cycle of constant rejection, overwhelming choice, and transient relationships-all contributing to a lower sense of psychological well-being.

Conclusion

To be sure, dating apps can open up a whole new world to people seeking new friends and connections. They may be especially useful for people who are lonely and introverted, or for those who are traveling or new in town.

That said, dating apps do have a shadow side and may not be for the sensitive or faint of heart.

Proceed with care.

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Are Dating Apps Damaging Our Mental Health?

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Dating apps are now a firmly established part of the dating scene. These include Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and a range of others suited to different tastes. The basis of these apps is simple. Users can create a profile by uploading several photos, along with a short text description.

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Do NOT post in the comments below- post in the padlet link below with the assignment on it!

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Wesley Wang
file:///C:/Users/weswa/Downloads/older%20Adults%20Online%20Dating%20(1).pdf

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I think that there may be no relationship more affected by mental illness than the intimate relationship between partners. The good news is that it is possible to build healthy, loving, and long-term partnerships with people with mental illness. But this is only a matter between two lovers. If they want children, it's another matter, because their children are always likely to have the same mental illness. Wesley Wang

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I think if anyone wants to date they should. there shouldn't be rules on who you can and cannot date. Yes everyone should be somewhat secure with their emtotions so they do not put all of their problems on someone else. People who are mentally ill should take dating slower but I do not feel that they should not date all together. People can always learn and grow and it takes a little longer for some.

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Ignore the title! Middle adulthood and stepfamilies

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Personally, I would not fate someone with a mental illness if they were not stable and getting the help they need. I am fully aware of how different a mentally ill persons life could be when they are on the right track vs when they are unstable. I will not risk my emotional wellbeing and my emotional energy for someone who does not care about themselves.