Psychosexual Support for Military Personnel
Military service is demanding, physically and mentally. It involves long periods away from family, friends, and civilian life. In addition to combat injuries, military personnel are exposed to extreme stressors such as death, dismemberment, and exposure to hazardous materials. These experiences can lead to physical and emotional scarring that affects their daily lives. They may struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, insomnia, substance abuse, relationship problems, and difficulty relating to others. These issues often manifest in sexual dysfunction. Sexual difficulties can include low libido, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, delayed orgasm, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, or lack of arousal. Some veterans also experience trauma-related sexual dysfunctions, like avoidant behavior, hypersexuality, compulsive masturbation, or fetishism. This creates a need for psychosexual support within military medical care.
What is Psychosexual Support?
Psychosexual support is a form of therapy that addresses the interaction between sex and mental health. The term 'psycho' refers to psychological factors while 'sexual' concerns physical and sexual functioning. Psychosexual support recognizes that psychological trauma can cause sexual problems, and vice versa. Effective treatment requires addressing both the psychological and physical aspects of the problem simultaneously. Military personnel who have suffered severe physical or emotional trauma require comprehensive, specialized care from trained professionals.
Why is Psychosexual Support Important?
Military personnel must undergo rigorous training before being deployed, including learning how to handle weapons, obey orders, and work as part of a team.
There is little emphasis on developing healthy relationships with others. They may see their partners only occasionally due to deployment, which can strain intimacy.
They are exposed to stressors that impact their ability to relate to civilians. These factors make it difficult to seek help for sexual issues outside the military environment.
They face unique challenges such as disability, discharge, or stigma around seeking counseling. Psychosexual support provides them with a safe space to explore their feelings, express themselves, and develop new relationship skills. It helps them heal physically and emotionally and improve their quality of life.
How can psychosexual support be effectively implemented within military medical care for wounded or traumatized personnel?
Psychosexual support is an important component of effective military medical care for wounded or traumatized personnel. The implementation of such support can be challenging due to various factors, including cultural stigma surrounding sexual health issues and lack of knowledge about sexual health among medical professionals. Military medical care providers must work with mental health specialists and other relevant experts to develop strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of their patients.