Soldiers who have experienced traumatic events during their military service may find it difficult to reconstruct their sexual identities and personal relationships.
They might struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, fear, anger, and distrust. They may also experience changes in libido, desire, and arousal that can impact their physical and emotional wellbeing. This is because the brain and body are interconnected, so experiences can affect both.
Soldiers can learn strategies for dealing with these challenges through therapy, support groups, and self-reflection. In this article, I will discuss how soldiers can work towards reconnection with themselves, partners, and society after combat exposure.
When soldiers return from deployment, they must navigate civilian life again while processing their war experiences. They often encounter new difficulties related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or physical injuries. These conditions make it hard to focus on building intimacy and trust with others. Soldiers may feel distant and emotionally detached due to increased vigilance, hypervigilance, or avoidance behaviors. They may also feel numbness or lack of interest in sex, which affects their partner's attraction and satisfaction.
To overcome these obstacles, soldiers can use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques like exposure response prevention (ERP). ERP helps them face fears gradually by imagining a scenario then working up to real-life situations involving closeness, touch, or intimate acts. Another approach is mindfulness meditation, whereby soldiers pay attention to bodily sensations without judgment. It teaches them to stay present and grounded during sexual encounters.
Couples counseling can help repair communication issues caused by trauma symptoms such as anger outbursts or intrusive memories.
Soldiers can also engage in healthy activities that promote positive body image and reduce stress levels, such as exercise, yoga, breathwork, and nutrition programs. These practices support emotional wellbeing and improve hormonal balance. Exercise releases endorphins to reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation; yoga reduces muscle tension for better performance in bed; breathwork regulates heart rate variability; and nutrition improves mood and energy.
Reconstructing relational meaning and sexual identity after trauma requires effort, patience, commitment, and professional guidance. Soldiers must learn how to process combat experiences constructively while taking care of themselves physically and emotionally. They need time to grieve losses before moving on towards healing. With proper treatment and self-care strategies, they can build trust again with loved ones and develop stronger relationships over time.
How do soldiers reconstruct relational meaning and sexual identity after trauma, ethical dilemmas, or operational exposure?
Soldiers may experience difficulty constructing new identities following traumatic events due to shifts in their belief systems and relationships with others. It is important for them to seek support from peers and healthcare providers who can help validate their experiences and assist with coping strategies. Reconstruction of sexual identity may involve reflection on gender roles and desires, as well as exploring alternative forms of intimacy and communication.