The body needs more than physical touch for it to function well.
People who have had their hands tied behind their backs for extended periods tend to develop mental problems due to lack of sensory stimulation.
Humans need more than just sensory stimulation. They also need meaningful touch. Touching another person can be purely sensual or meaningful. Sensual touch is erotic and often involves skin-to-skin contact. Meaningful touch affirms that someone exists. It shows that they are important and valid. When the mind craves existential touch, there is a problem. This is because an individual cannot get enough of feeling like they belong or matter to someone else. Existential touch can help them achieve this.
What happens when the body begins to crave existential touch?
When the body begins to crave existential touch, the brain does not receive enough stimuli that make it feel like it matters. The lack of such stimuli affects both the short and long term health of an individual.
If left unaddressed, existential touch deprivation leads to severe depression, social anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicidal thoughts. Existential touch refers to the non-sexual touch between two individuals which reaffirms one's existence. Without this kind of touch, it becomes difficult to connect with other people. An example would be hugging friends or family members after a long absence.
Long-term effects of existential touch deprivation
The long-term effect of existential touch deprivation manifests in different ways depending on how serious it gets. If you do not experience any form of existential touch for weeks or months, your mental state will deteriorate significantly. Your mood will drop, and you may become anxious about anything around you. You will find it challenging to trust others or relate to them positively. People who have been victims of existential touch deprivation often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also tend to suffer from panic attacks and depression. Some may develop substance use disorders. Those who are unable to get meaningful touch from their caregivers may grow up to be emotionally immature and distant. It is crucial to understand what existential touch is and how important it is to our well-being as human beings.
How to avoid existential touch deprivation
It is impossible to avoid existential touch altogether because humans need it for emotional growth.
There are several ways to prevent existential touch deprivation. One way is by building healthy relationships with friends and loved ones. When you spend time with people you love, you can feel the presence of someone who makes you feel valued and cared for. Spending more time with these people helps recharge your emotional batteries and reduce the urge to seek existential touch elsewhere. Another way is seeking professional help if you notice that you constantly crave intimacy. A therapist can help you explore why you need such touch and teach you how to cultivate it in your life. There are also self-help books and videos on YouTube which explain how to build strong relationships without having sex with anyone. The key is to recognize when you need existential touch and not neglect it.
What happens when the body begins to crave not erotic but existential touch — the contact that affirms being?
While sexual touch may give us an immediate sense of pleasure, the kind of touch that affirms our existence is something we need for our long-term wellbeing. When our bodies begin to crave this type of contact, it can be a sign that we are feeling disconnected from ourselves and others. Touch provides us with physical connection and helps us feel secure, loved, and valued. Without these experiences, we may start to feel isolated and lonely, leading to depression and anxiety.