Soldiers and Intimacy
In modern militaries around the world, soldiers are trained to become effective killers. They learn how to take lives without hesitation for the sake of their country's security and freedom.
The intense training can also affect their mental health. It is common for them to be plagued with nightmares and flashbacks after leaving active duty. Some even experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms that make them feel detached from reality and struggle with everyday life. But they may find it difficult to open up about these feelings due to fear of being stigmatized by others.
When a soldier returns home, he/she may face another challenge - connecting with loved ones emotionally. The lack of trust and communication during combat makes it hard to rekindle intimate relationships with friends, family members, or partners. Moreover, the trauma can lead to an unreasonable sense of guilt and shame that stops them from seeking affection from anyone else. This emotional dissonance between what they want in life versus what they believe is possible creates internal conflicts within themselves.
Emotional Dissonance
Emotional dissonance refers to the conflict between one's conscious desires and subconscious thoughts. In this case, a soldier craves love but believes he/she does not deserve it because of wartime experiences.
If a veteran has witnessed many deaths and injuries during service, he/she may feel like a monster who cannot connect with people anymore. He/She might have lost faith in humanity, making him/her question his/her value as a person. As a result, such soldiers feel guilty about wanting sex while having PTSD symptoms which makes them feel like damaged goods.
The emotional dissonance affects all aspects of their lives - from personal relationships to professional interactions with colleagues or superiors. It becomes a barrier preventing them from leading healthy social lives. They are stuck in this state where they need closeness yet know deep down inside that no one will accept them for who they are today. They may try to numb their feelings by abusing drugs, alcohol or avoiding contact altogether. Such behaviors only exacerbate the problem further since it prevents them from getting help and support when needed most.
Overcoming the Challenge
Overcoming the challenge requires courage, commitment, and persistence on behalf of both parties involved in an intimate relationship - the veteran and partner/partners. The first step is admitting there's an issue and seeking professional assistance from therapists specializing in treating trauma-related issues. Counselors can provide practical strategies on how to deal with emotions effectively without hurting others around you. They also educate loved ones on what veterans go through so that everyone understands each other better.
Partners should be patient while waiting for progress to happen gradually over time rather than expecting instant changes immediately after treatment begins. Patience builds trust between two people because it shows genuine care towards someone else's well-being instead of taking advantage of his/her vulnerability due to emotional turmoil. In this way, partners develop empathy for each other's struggles which helps strengthen bonds rather than tear them apart due to misunderstanding or resentment caused by impatience during healing processes.
Emotional dissonance among soldiers creates a rift between them and society at large. It takes courageous effort on both sides to bridge this gap by acknowledging painful realities without giving up hope. With proper care and support, veterans can learn healthier ways to cope with feelings of loneliness while recovering from wartime experiences that leave deep scars on one's soul.
How do soldiers handle the emotional dissonance of craving intimacy while believing they no longer deserve love due to wartime experiences?
The psychology behind this behavior is complex and can vary from soldier to soldier. Some may feel that their actions during war have left them unworthy of love, while others may not recognize any dissonance between wanting intimacy and feeling undeserving. Still, others may simply be too traumatized by their experiences to connect emotionally with anyone. There are many factors that contribute to these attitudes, including cultural norms surrounding masculinity and combat trauma.