Dating can be an absolute nightmare. 

It’s a constant trial and error system. Sometimes, when you think you’ve found success, something can take a sharp turn. It’s nervous stuttering through awkward first dates and sitting by your phone waiting when you actually like someone.

While dating is hard, there can be an extra challenge if someone you’re dating has experienced a traumatic event in the past. They may come with issues they are still working through, and they may be hesitant to form a strong emotional and physical bond.

If you are dating someone with PTSD, keep reading below. We provide 5 tips to help.

1. Take It Slow

When dating someone with PTSD, it’s advised to take everything at a slower pace than a normal relationship. 

We aren’t just talking about sex and other physical things, it can be almost anything. Due to trauma, people with PTSD probably aren’t looking to rush into a wildly emotionally intimate relationship. They aren’t dying to meet your parents after a few dates.

Treat them with kindness and respect like any other partner you would date, but make sure to practice effective communication when it comes to comfort and boundaries. If they tell you they aren’t ready to take a certain step in the relationship, listen to them. 

2. Allow Them to Open Up When They Want

Not many people with PTSD are going to tell you about their traumatic experience on the first date. It will most likely take a while for them to trust you with the information.

Once they do share pieces of their experience with you, don’t keep pushing the conversations with more questions about it. Listen with respect and allow them to open up when they feel comfortable.

If they wish to seek help, let them come to you. Whether it’s seeking a therapist or finding child abuse lawyers, let them come to you about needing help.

3. Be Respectful

Dating someone with PTSD can lead to you holding a lot of personal information about someone. It can be stressful holding a large amount of negative information and can cause us to vent to other people.

Whatever you do, don’t reveal any part of your partner’s past to anyone else. It is not your information to share. Be respectful.

4. Push Away Negative Talk From Others

Mental health comes with a strong stigma. If you date someone with PTSD, you may start to become more aware of it.

Friends and family may start telling you to be extra cautious or to leave your partner because they are “messed up” or “need help”. You have the full right to shut down those types of conversations.

5. Embrace the Relationship

Just like in every relationship, there will be challenges. No matter what, continue to embrace and grow the relationship with mutual respect and effective communication. 

Top Tips for Dating Someone with PTSD

There are some unforeseen challenges when dating someone with PTSD. However, things can be made slightly easier with the tips above.

As long as you are respectful of your partner and the situation, don’t sweat the relationship too much. Things may be taken at a slower pace but there’s still plenty of movie nights and candlelit dinners to be had.

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