Choosing the Right Time to Disclose Chronic Pain to a Potential Partner

Dating or starting a new relationship while living with chronic pain poses unique challenges. The decision of when to disclose a chronic pain condition to a potential partner can be difficult.

Individuals with chronic pain may feel comfortable sharing their chronic pain in a public forum, such as in an online dating profile, or they may share their chronic pain on social media, a blog, or another online presence. Some individuals require the use of a wheelchair, cane, or other mobility aid that makes their condition apparent, so the topic may be discussed with a potential partner sooner rather than later.

Even if their chronic pain condition is not apparent, some individuals choose to share their condition at the beginning of the dating process. While unfortunate, some people may not be willing to date someone with chronic pain, so putting the information out there early in the dating process prevents the person with chronic pain from becoming too invested if rejection ultimately occurs. Some people may also feel that waiting too long to disclose chronic pain is detrimental to building an honest relationship.

On the other hand, some individuals may choose to build a connection with a potential partner before disclosing their chronic pain. It may be easier for them to share their condition once a level of trust is in place.

Choosing when to disclose chronic pain is a very personal decision. There is no right or wrong time to do it. Whether it is shared right away or later on in the dating process, the most important factor is that the person with chronic pain is accepted exactly as they are, chronic pain included.

Additional resources used to create this article include Creaky Joints.