Heterosexual relationships of psychiatric patients established during their treatment

Thirteen cases of sexual partnership established during psychiatric treatment, where both partners suffered from a psychotic disorder, were studied. Poor selection of a mate, in terms of excessive differences of their ages, educational background and social status can be viewed as one facet of behaviour affected by mental illness. No patients derived support from such relationships, nor were stabilizing effects on the patients' psychopathology observed. It seems a fully justified conclusion that such relationships cannot be viewed as positive with respect to the stabilization of the patients' mental conditions and that they should be discouraged.