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I'm dating someone who has been cheated on. What should I do?

306 Answers
Last Updated: 04/26/2022 at 3:52pm
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Top Rated Answers
caitanya
February 19th, 2020 12:30pm
It's going to be hard at first but it's worth it. They are going to have doubts, they are going to have insecurities. They always be needing reassurance and you will have to be patient with them. You are going to need a lot of patience. Always remind them of how much they mean to you. Communication is very important as well. You have to learn their love language so they can receive the message you're trying imply. Listen to their problems, be their rock. At the same time, don't forget to check on yourself. Make sure you're okay with it and it's not draining you.
admirableLight4992
February 27th, 2020 6:08am
If you were dating someone who has been cheated on you should be patient with them. Patience is a virtue and someone that has a lack of trust in others needs it the most. Someone that has been cheated on and does not believe that they are worth it or t if you were dating someone who has been cheated on you should be patient with them. Patience is a virtue and someone that has a lack of trust in others needs it the most. Someone that has been cheated on does not believe that they are worth it or they are in fear of what they did wrong when in reality they did nothing wrong and there is nothing wrong with them.
Hanaa00
March 12th, 2020 6:41am
Dating someone who has been cheated on can be challenging. The person might have certain issues that do not allow them to trust you fully and completely, or they can have a different attachment style from yours, or anything else that has been caused by the terrible experience of being cheated on. What is very important is that you try understanding those the best that you can, and offering some compassion. Make sure that they are aware of your emotional support and are able to see that those experiences aren’t something that will be repeated. Healthy communication is important as well.
Anonymous
March 13th, 2020 8:27pm
First things first, do not feel you have to panic about this. Everybody comes into a relationship or friendship with past experiences, both good and bad. In this case, they've been cheated on which stinks and can often carry over into other relationships. Trust is something that might be hard to get at first, especially because some people who been cheated develop mistrust of others, especially in romantic relationships. Show them they can trust you. If you say you are going to meet them someplace, do that. If you two plan a call, follow through. Communicating openly and honestly goes a long way to building that trust between you and them. Don't feel you have to bring up that they have been cheated on often, they probably want to forget it and move from it.
lovelyEmbrace9205
April 1st, 2020 5:08am
You should comfort them and gain their trust. Tell them that whoever they were cheated on by wasn’t worth it and didn’t deserve them. You need to show them how much you love and care about them in a way they will be comfortable with. They also need to know that cheating isn’t something that is normal. Talk to them and really work your way into there heart so that you both can have trust within eachother. Let them know that heating is the last thing you would ever do, and that they are safe with you at all times.
Anonymous
April 2nd, 2020 2:57pm
Trust is a main issue we are talking in here, because when someone cheat on us we feel we can no longer trust ( at the least most of the time).... timing I believe is the best solution, however there are many different variables which can take place in this situation.... For example is that person already ok for a knew relationship ? is his past feeling are being passed to you ? Only you have the real answer, what are your real feelings for this person ? I believe be honest is the main point in this situation, this person was already hurt once, try to support ....
magneticHand2937
April 4th, 2020 7:09am
A person that has been cheated on may be jealous, more aggressive with smaller incidents that mean nothing to you and may still be suffering from getting cheated on. You will have a lot to deal with so be prepared for a lot of small yet extreme(in their eyes) disagreements. Be prepared to validate this person occasionally in the relationship( remember to To do this but don't do it so much if you won't be able to keep up with it because that will open another can of worms) . The two important things to remember though is to make sure you maintain respect for your relationship and don't cheat.
tracyyyy
April 15th, 2020 7:08pm
I think that you should really take a step back and think about whether if you want to continue this relationship anymore. No one understand what you feel or what you’re going through besides yourself. You know what is best for you and what you are supposed to do. If you’re unhappy with being with your current partner, then maybe it’s time for you to reevaluate your relationship and think whether if it is a healthy choice for you to stay or leave. But remember that you have to love and respect yourself before making any decisions. I hope you make the right choice.
Anonymous
April 16th, 2020 12:04pm
Hello! I completely understand where you are coming from as this may be extremely upsetting. Although I cannot offer you specific advice, I am confident that you are able to find a solution. If you take some time to truly figure out how important this is to you and what you are willing to endure, then I have confidence in your abilities to come to a solution. Everyone experiences hardships within their lives and they come in many different shapes and forms. Each experience is something that you are able to learn from and take away from, especially within relationships. I completely understand how you are feeling. I know you will find a solution and be able to learn from experiences like these.
Anonymous
April 19th, 2020 5:22am
Try to be understanding. I know it's hard to exactly know what to do in situations like this. But I'm sure you will do great in your new relationship. Being cheated on can come with trust issues. Show your partner that they can trust you. Try to have deep conversation to show them that they can open up to you. Show them that you are comfortable around them so they can be confortable you. It can sometimes be difficult to come into another relationship coming from a harmful one. Give them time and patience. And most of all... don't let them even think that there's a chance that you could be cheating on them. Spend as most time with them as you can.
sereneMermaid411
April 23rd, 2020 10:31pm
Talk to them about. Confront the issue head-on. Acknowledge that it may take more time for them to trust you than they would have if they hadn't been through that experience. Trust is like a jar of marbles. It's made of a collection of acts that build up and become stronger. However, continue to establish and assert boundaries. When someone is cheated on, they may become suspicious and want to read your texts, snoop through your phone, know where you are every second of every day. Know that you still have the right to privacy, and their insecurity is not more important than that right.
Anonymous
April 26th, 2020 10:57pm
I think it is important to understand that your partner's past relationships will shape their perspective and outlook on your current relationship. Since your partner was cheated on, it may impact their view on trust. It is helpful to be accepting and listen to what they have to say. Your partner's trust had been broken at one point, so it may take them more time to gain trust with others. Be supportive, and be sure to prioritize communication between each other. Communication is a platform for building trust and honesty with others and with partners. Everyone is different, and everyone handles being cheated on differently, but having an open mind and validating their past feelings can be helpful.
contentedBeauty22
May 6th, 2020 3:29am
learn how to have patience, I don't know if they have properly healed from that situation but learn to have patience with them. it's truly a horrible experience knowing someone you trusted to do something like that. From what I have experienced, give them lots of reassurance, look into the 7 types of love languages, and look into that and have consistent ones. also, unexpected reassurance is the best because they have their fears that they might be not good enough to be loved which is not the case. I hope everything goes well and wish you both the best. give it time and lots of patience and love
Anonymous
May 14th, 2020 6:59pm
Since he/she was cheated once they might be portrayed cynic but in fact they're much broken and emotionally unstable . At times they might sound really matured but don't get to that conclusion just in the beginning , because that maturity might just be a disturbance in their perspective and might not stay long which would disappoint you later. Well in the end it's like any other normal relationship, give time and take time don't be in a hurry. They might be too suspicious (mostly) but don't take them wrong just try to talk out things. Don't take decisions with assumptions nor allow him to do the same. Not every person who got cheated wouldn't end up suspicious , few might turn up really good ( if so try not to lose them)
zealousWinter25
June 4th, 2020 2:15pm
Be you. Who you are, if you are not a fan of or condone cheating, will shine through and the person you are dating will see your true colours. It may take time for them to build up trust, but if you be who you are, they should gradually begin to trust you. They may also benefit from reassurance every now and again, however, it is important that this person can trust you as relationships are built on trust and can't function as well if trust is missing. It is not your responsibility about the person being cheated on. Just be you!
Dallas86040
June 6th, 2020 3:27pm
Just take the relationship slow, don't try and move any faster than they are comfortable with, validate their experience and show empathy. Just be supportive overall and always try to validate the way they feel. The best way to earn their trust is with trustworthy behavior over an extended period of time. Be patient and understanding. The more empathy and patience you show towards your partner, the better. Hopefully over an extended period of time, they will trust you more and more and they will open up to you more and more. I hope this helps. Good luck to you.
Anonymous
June 6th, 2020 8:08pm
Be patient with them. They may feel insecure or they may keep their guard up if they feel they get hurt like that again. Patience, understanding and building trust within the relationship, like any other, is valuable. Let them talk about something that they may be worried about and try to understand where they are coming from. Depending on the circumstances of how they found out they were cheated on? did the relationship end amicably or volatile? ect they may still need to heal and learn to trust someone in a relationship and to let go of the fear they may be carrying of it happening again
Anonymous
June 10th, 2020 9:27am
Ensure that the person you are dating with feels safe, comfortable and cared for. Give them reasons to trust you, but also make sure you are comfortable. relationships will only grow if there is a mutual trust, respect and understanding between partners. If you feel your partner is out of reach, talk to them and let them know you are there for them and that they can trust and rely on you. however, if you feel your partner is not putting in the same effort as you into the relationship, address these issues and find out why they may be reluctant. try to be patient and understand what your partner has been through.
Anonymous
June 10th, 2020 10:14pm
For people who have been cheated on trust is a big issue in relationships(for obvious reasons). Someone they trusted betrayed them and this hurts a lot. To try and help fix this issue I recommend being honest with them and trusting them, this will help them learn to trust you and be less concerned about you cheating on them. Sometimes they can act cautious this can get annoying or even make you uncomfortable, which is very understandable. Don't be afraid to bring up your agitation/issues with their cautiousness, as long as you don't treat them like a child there is a good chance they will make an effort to grow.
Anonymous
June 25th, 2020 11:59pm
In the beginning of my relationship my boyfriend had told me he had been cheated on before and so I reassured him that I wouldn’t cheat on him or hurt him like his ex did. Whenever he was worried or anxious about me cheating I would tell him that I cared about him and I reassured him that I lived him. He and I had long relationship that lasted about a year and a half we broke up because his family moved across the country and he had to go to. We did the long distance relationship for a couple months and he became really worried that I would cheat on him but I reassured him I wasn’t and I never would but it became really difficult for us and we fell out of love so we decided to end it.
TraceListens
July 2nd, 2020 8:23am
Firstly, try not to take their insecurities and fears personally. It's hard, I know. If you really care about this person, the only way to allow them to feel safe with you is to build trust. This takes time. However, people who have been cheated on can be difficult to have a relationship with. It's important to set boundaries. Feelings of insecurity can raise negative behaviours that might be directed towards you. Aggression, violence or abuse should never be tolerated. Your person may be hurt but they should still be expected to behave in a respectful manner. Sit them down and ask the same thing you've asked here. Get them to be as honest as they can (this may be difficult as it means they need to feel vulnerable) and just listen. However, only do this if you are serious about them. Don't get them to let you in if you are not sure you can be there for them.
SohnisSpotofSunshine
July 3rd, 2020 5:41am
It's always tough to have a partner who has been cheated on in his or her past. Partly because it's confusing for you as to why your partner seems distant or wary at times. Partly because your partner is afraid that he or she will be cheated on again. Make sure your partner understands that you're there for them. That you will not cheat on them. If your partner is cautious, that's understandable. Build trust with him/her slowly. Allow your partner to understand that you're there for them. Don't worry. Take a deep breath. Trust yourself, and you'll be fine :)
Anonymous
July 11th, 2020 2:46am
It is important that you love and respect anyone in all relationships. In this case, you want to be very careful and pay attention to what make that person comfortable and be cautious as it may be frustrating for them. The ultimate goal is to love them no matter what, support one another, stay faithful through the good times and bad, and respect is key to the relationship. Listen and talk to your partner as it is crucial in a relationship to communicate what is working and what is not as you always want to be working and continuing on.
creativeMist74
July 12th, 2020 3:25am
i have been in a kind of similar situation and let me tell you it isn’t easy. you just have to stay loyal and be honest. if he wants to see your messages with that guy he’s worried about: let him. if he wants you to reassure him: reassure him. it will never be easy but eventually he will learn that you won’t hurt him. if you do cheat you will break him for good. all the guy needs is honesty and loyalty for him to realize that this is ok you won’t cheat (and please do not cheat).
Anonymous
July 17th, 2020 8:37am
Show them you can trust them and if they come to you with feelings of cheating or being insecure about someone you talk to, reassure them that it is completely harmless. They are hurting and scared the next person will hurt them the same way, so spend time with them, don't run out unexpectedly, talk often and let them into your life. This doesn't mean you can't have friends or go out with anyone, just be cautious about it and understand their worries as you would want them to if you were the one hurting from being cheated on in the past.
paulalm2000
July 22nd, 2020 10:37pm
I think we shouldn't judge someone from their past. Dealing with someone that was cheated on can be hard. First of all, if they are still hurt and have not gotten over their partner, issues like difficulty to trust, to open up will be present and it's normal. We need to make them feel comfortable and let them know that we are here for them no matter what. I´ts important to gain their trust and viceversa to build a strong relationship. We need to take in mind, that if we promise not to hurt them and to be always for them it needs to happen. If they get cheated on again, it will destroyed them. Most importantly, show and tell how much you love them.
Petra1234
July 31st, 2020 8:59pm
Simply, ask him what he needs for now from your side. It may occur that he is now okay with all this cheating situation and you're just too stressed. Communication in the relationship is very importand and the question "what do you need" is crucial. If you're not communicating you can only guess what other person has in his mind and you're making decisions for him. Also listen to yourself, what do you feel during dating this person? What do you need from him? Trust yourself :) And don't forget to communicate your feelings and needs. Just make sure that you're both on the same site.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2020 7:47pm
Dating someone who has gone through that traumatic experience can be hard but you can gain their absolute trust by being truthful to them. Understand that getting cheated on send a person a message that they were not good enough. It can be tough but you can deal with this if you are really into that person. It can be rough but don't lose hope. You can always share what you feel. Be there for him/her. You won't have to be accountable forever. Time is the best healer. Be yourself, they may start trusting you. People often like to know who you really are, not what you think they want you to be. Be patient and kind him/her
Anonymous
August 15th, 2020 10:11am
Show them that you are not the same as the others that the person has been with and let them know that you will not cheat on them like other have done before. Also if they are still worried let them look at your phone and be open about what are you doing on your phone so they can know you are not texting someone else. The most important thing is to make sure to build trust with this person and show them that you will not hurt them and that they can open up to you without fear of you leaving them for another.
Anonymous
August 30th, 2020 7:53am
Talk to them and see what they want out of your relationship. You need to try and understand how they feel and try to have a transparent relationship. In a relationship, you need to be able to lean on the other person and be able to help your partner in any way that you can. One thing you need to do is see how they feel about talking through what it was like to be cheated on. Thye might be a little bit more controlling. If that happens you need to talk to them about how you are feeling about what they are doing.