Veterans returning home from combat experience a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties that affect their daily lives, including family dynamics. After undergoing traumatic events such as combat-related injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma brain injury (TBI), moral injury (MI) and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse are common symptoms among veterans. As a result, they may struggle to maintain positive social interactions with friends and family members who have different life experiences outside military service.
It is no surprise that these struggles often carry over into the bedroom and lead to problems with relational trust and sexual intimacy. Veterans may find it difficult to form emotional bonds because they feel guilty about causing pain for others due to their actions during war or suffer from guilt after witnessing death or destruction caused by other people's mistakes. This can make them doubt their own capacity to love or be loved again. They may also become distant from their partners or even cheat on them out of fear of rejection based on past behaviors associated with PTSD or TBI.
Exposure to operational stress can cause physical changes in the body which impact libido, arousal and ejaculation, making it harder for veterans to enjoy sex when they do engage in it. In particular, many men report lower levels of testosterone, decreased genital sensitivity and a reduced ability to climax following deployment - factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED). Women may experience vaginal dryness, less intense orgasms and painful intercourse due to hormonal imbalances brought on by combat-related stress.
Rebuilding trust in relationships takes time and effort but there are several strategies that couples can use to improve communication and intimacy after trauma:
1. Develop open lines of communication: Couples should communicate regularly about how they feel emotionally and physically before, during and after sex so each partner knows what works best for the other person.
2. Establish safety within the relationship: Create safe spaces where both parties feel comfortable expressing themselves without judgment; this includes talking about personal experiences related to warfare as well as discussing feelings around sexual intimacy itself.
3. Make time for emotional healing: Allow space between activities like watching TV or going shopping - taking breaks allows everyone involved to process thoughts, emotions and experiences while keeping things lighthearted together.
4. Seek professional help if needed: Many military families turn towards therapy sessions for support navigating difficult conversations around past events affecting their marriage today.
5. Practice self-care: Veterans need to take care of themselves first before expecting anything from others in order to have healthy relationships built on mutual respect and understanding. Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins which promote relaxation, reducing anxiety levels which often lead up to better performance during intimate moments with partners later on down the road.
Building relational trust and rekindling sexual intimacy post-deployment requires dedication from both partners who must work together towards achieving common goals based on mutual understanding and compassion. With these steps taken into consideration along with proper treatment options available through professional counselors specializing in trauma recovery services, veterans can learn new ways of connecting authentically once again with those closest to them despite any challenges faced due to combat exposure stressors.
How do veterans rebuild relational trust and sexual intimacy after exposure to operational stress?
Veterans face numerous challenges upon returning from combat duty, including difficulties with reintegrating into civilian life, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, adjustment disorders, and other mental health concerns.