When people go through a traumatic experience that is related to politics or politicians, it can have lasting effects on their sexual lives and psychological health. Trauma can affect an individual's capacity for intimacy and desire, leading them to withdraw from sex altogether. Political trauma can also result in the creation of new memories that serve as triggers for future flashbacks and nightmares, making it difficult to form new connections with others. These experiences are often stored in implicit memory, where they remain buried and undiscoverable until something unrelated acts as a trigger. This phenomenon is called "sexual dissociation," which means that individuals disconnect from themselves physically, emotionally, and mentally during sex.
There are several theories about why political trauma causes sexual dissociation. One theory suggests that it's because trauma rewires the brain's reward system. In normal circumstances, dopamine is released when someone has a pleasurable experience, such as sex, and this makes them feel good. When an individual goes through trauma, however, dopamine stops working properly, resulting in less pleasure and more negative emotions associated with sex. Another theory is that trauma changes how the hippocampus processes information, meaning that memories associated with sexual encounters may become distorted or even forgotten entirely.
One study found that individuals who experienced trauma due to political violence were more likely to report feeling numb during sex than those who didn't. They also reported less interest in having sex, less pleasure during sex, and more difficulty achieving orgasm.
These individuals were more likely to have flashbacks during sex, causing them to disassociate from their bodies and partners.
To preserve these memories in the long term, individuals often use various strategies such as writing down thoughts and feelings or talking with therapists.
Some people don't realize they're experiencing sexual dissociation until years later, making it difficult for them to seek help. It's important for friends, family members, and partners of those affected by political trauma to be understanding and supportive without pressuring them into engaging in sex if they aren't ready.
How does political trauma induce sexual dissociation, and how are these experiences preserved in memory?
The term “political trauma” refers to the collective experience of a community that is faced with extreme political turmoil, violence, or oppression. Such events can cause profound psychological distress, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and even sexual dysfunction. Sexual dissociation is one such manifestation of PTSD that has been observed among survivors of political trauma.