Dating With Chronic Illness

Dating apps are an option, but they're not the only option.

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This Tik Tok came across my feed today about dating when you have a chronic illness. Before sharing my thoughts, let’s define what constitutes a chronic illness.

Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. - National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Chronic illness is similar to trauma in that it can be subjective. It’s a chronic illness if it requires ongoing medical treatment and prohibits daily life. That includes anything ranging from cancer to migraines to depression to addiction. You get my point. All that matters is it affects your life.

The creator wants to know if dating apps are a chronically ill person’s best (or only) option. If not, in what ways should they try to meet people? I’ll address specific possibilities in a moment. Let’s first cover some basics that can be applied to all social scenarios.

Make the activities fit your needs.

First, I suggest not feeling pressured to conform to what’s socially acceptable if it negatively impacts your condition. Instead, make the outing fit your needs. If you can only stay somewhere for thirty minutes, don’t push yourself to remain longer. If you tire easily, find a place to sit central to the group so you can interact in a way that works for your energy level.

Communicate your needs.

Approach the organizer or host and explain any restrictions you might have, and ask for assistance. Contact them before the gathering so they have time to make appropriate adjustments if necessary. It doesn’t matter if admission is free or five-hundred dollars. No, you’re not being a bother. Get that thought out of your head. Their job is to accommodate you. Not the other way around.