Do you find it easier to bond with people who also have a mental illness?

[lightningandsnow]

I do. I find I naturally gravitate towards other people with mental illnesses, without even realizing it.

One of my best friends has bipolar, as well as a cousin who I'm quite close with.
Several of my friends have depression and/or anxiety, including the majority of my close ones.
One of my only close friends who doesn't have a diagnosis is pretty much textbook for BDD, but horribly reluctant to go see a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Is this healthy?

The way I see it, it is. I think sometimes people only get it if they've been through it themselves.

[Forkboy]

1. They usually seem saner to me then the so-called sane people.

It's not a requirement for me to get along with someone, but it sure helps. :)

[mopinko]

2. i think the problems is

people who have less than adequate sense of self don't usually have much that is positive to bring to a relationship. sometimes these things end up mutually reinforcing the worst in each other. plenty of "normal" people do the same thing. but needy people will take without giving.
i have seen my daughter get into this type of relationship. i think to her it seems huge and complete. concrete. but after a while it becomes smothering and desiccating. and impoverishing, in every sense of that word.

no sweeping assertion that people with mental illness cannot form good relationships. just pointing out the common pitfalls.