One reason many people don’t have the patience for someone with trust issues is because they take it personally. They think, I haven’t done anything wrong for them not to trust me, but they’re punishing me for it. That is not true though. When someone has trust issues it is because they trusted someone before and were fooled. Here are ways to try to understand and help them.
1. Ask them what you can do. Although staying calm and patient helps anyone with trust issues, they are all driven by varying sources. Some people simply need time to trust, other need someone to earn their trust, others need more than that.
2. Offer to talk about it. Often in order to understand why this person has trust issues, you have to know the story. It may be difficult for them to express it.
3. Prove it rather than saying it. You may not understand why they still don’t trust you after you promised not to hurt them or that you would never lie or cheat, but those words will not go far for someone with trust issues.
4. Realize what they are doing in order to trust you. Your frustration can begin to get the best of you. You may think that you are doing so much to earn their trust, but wonder what they are doing.