I could definitely use some help on dealing with my partners mental health issues. She started seeing a therapist about a month and a half ago. My partner has always kind of shut down during instances of conflict, although we dont really fight(and I dont mean that in a couples counseling kind of way, we just generally havent had many instances of serious conflict).
Her therapist told her that this shutting down is "dissociation" and my partner describes it as not really feeling 'connected to her body.' I really cannot relate. My partner and I generally bump heads on things like me not wanting dishes left in the sink, me wanting the laundry I did/folded to be put away, not wanting food to be left out over night, etc.
Where I am failing to be sympathetic is that the other day I started to get frustrated with the amount of totally rinsed out dishes in the sink, dishes that could be put in the dishwasher as they were, and I asked her (sternly) if they could go in the sink. She then told me "I am starting to dissociate" and it really felt like a cop out.
I want to support her venture into therapy. I tell her that I am proud that she wants to break the cycle of emotional abuse she was put through and is working to make sure our daughter doesnt experience that. That being said I now feel like I am in a position where I am to shoulder the burden of not being able to communicate with my partner.