Despite being a universal part of human experience, sex is often associated with shame and secrecy. Many people feel ashamed of their sexual desires, whether those desires are too strong, too unusual, or just plain unacceptable according to societal norms. For some, this can lead to suppressing these urges entirely, which can have serious psychological consequences.
Repression is the act of refusing to acknowledge something that exists, such as emotions or memories. It's a defense mechanism used when dealing with painful thoughts or feelings. When it comes to sexual desire, repression can cause significant distress and even mental illness.
Suppression is different from repression; instead of denying that the desire exists, suppression means consciously avoiding acting on it. This may involve abstinence or self-control, but still acknowledges its existence. Suppression has been shown to be less damaging than repression.
Social pressure is one reason for both repression and suppression. Religious teachings condemn promiscuity, while social conventions value monogamy and modesty. Even modern society tends to place moral judgments on certain sexual practices, such as BDSM or polyamory. These beliefs are internalized by many individuals who struggle to accept their own needs and wants.
Internalizing guilt about sexual behavior can also lead to repression. People might believe they are "bad" or immoral for having certain fantasies, and try to push them away through repression or suppression. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
The brain releases dopamine during arousal, leading to pleasure. Repressed desires do not produce this reward response, leaving people feeling dissatisfied and unfulfilled. This can result in addiction-like behaviors, where they seek other sources of pleasure to fill the void.
Repression often leads to negative consequences in relationships. Sexual frustration may create resentment between partners and damage intimacy. It can also affect physical health, with some studies linking suppressed sexual desire to heart disease and other ailments.
Sexual repression and suppression have serious psychological costs. They should never be the default method of coping with societal pressures; instead, we need to work towards creating a more accepting world that respects diverse expressions of human sexuality.
What psychological costs arise when sexual desires are repressed due to moral, religious, or societal guilt?
In some cultures, society has created a social environment that represses any form of sexual expression or desire through strict rules and guidelines that dictates what is right or wrong about sex. This can lead to several psychological costs, such as increased levels of anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, feelings of shame, and a lack of intimacy with others.