Can dating cause ptsd?

Content/Trigger Warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics such as abuse that could be potentially triggering.

The answer to the question “can dating cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)” is a complex answer. The act of dating itself can be a daunting and overwhelming task. People with socially induced anxiety disorders or fear of rejection might find it hard to begin “putting themselves out there” and pursuing romantic relationships intimidating or triggering anxiety.  But, the concept of dating might not necessarily be traumatic or cause PTSD.

When focusing on the smaller details of the situation, one might conclude for themselves that dating/the act of dating is “triggering” or causes trauma-related responses and symptoms. If a person has childhood trauma or was in an abusive relationship in the past, introducing themselves into the dating scene might cause an increase in trauma or PTSD symptoms.  For example, if someone with previous relationship-based trauma meets someone who reminds them of their ex, they might find themselves experiencing a distressful response while on a date.  Or, maybe this person sees their ex on social media or dating apps without any warning.  In both of these cases, the person’s PTSD was not necessarily caused by dating.  But, the act of dating opened them up to potential triggers that they might not have been aware of. 

That being said, it cannot be denied that people have experienced traumatic things while on dates when meeting new, potential romantic partners.  However, this still means that dating did not cause PTSD during these very traumatic events.  It was the experience that somebody had with someone else who did this. Now, the act of moving forward with dating could potentially be considered a trigger or a situation where trauma is more likely to “flare-up.”

In the end, the act of dating is not inherently traumatic or a cause for PTSD.  But, if one looks at people through the lens of their dating history, their relationship dynamics of past, and what their experiences with dating have been previously, there is a possibility that, yes, going on a specific date or engaging in a specific relationship (aka dating someone in particular) did, in fact, cause the development of PTSD.