How does trauma interfere with ability to maintain arousal?
Trauma is any incident or event that causes significant distress, fear, and anxiety. It can be physical, emotional, mental, or psychological. Traumatic events can range from small incidents such as witnessing an accident to major life-changing experiences like war, natural disasters, or abuse. When trauma occurs, it can have a long-lasting effect on a person's behavior, thoughts, feelings, and body physiology. One of the ways that trauma affects people is through their ability to regulate arousal levels during sexual activity. Arousal refers to how excited someone feels before, during, and after engaging in sexual activity. People who have experienced trauma may find it difficult to get turned on and stay turned on during sex due to physiological changes caused by their trauma response. This can lead to difficulties in intimacy and relationships, which can cause further stress and negative emotions.
The brain plays a key role in regulating arousal levels. The hypothalamus, located in the brain stem, regulates the autonomic nervous system and produces hormones that play a critical role in sexual function. When someone becomes aroused, the hypothalamus releases a hormone called oxytocin, which triggers a cascade of other chemical reactions throughout the body. These include increased heart rate, blood flow, breathing rate, and muscle tension, all of which contribute to feelings of excitement and pleasure.
When someone has been exposed to trauma, the hypothalamus may not produce enough oxytocin to initiate these responses. As a result, they may feel numb or detached from their partner or themselves during sexual activity. This can lead to a lack of desire or interest in having sex and difficulty achieving orgasm.
Trauma can cause hypervigilance, a state where a person is constantly alert for danger. Hypervigilance can interfere with the ability to relax and enjoy sex because the body is primed for fight-or-flight rather than pleasure and intimacy. It also causes physical symptoms such as sweating, rapid heartbeat, and shallow breathing, which can make it difficult to become aroused. People who have experienced trauma may be more sensitive to touch or noise, making them less likely to enjoy sensual activities like kissing or cuddling. They may also find it hard to focus on their own pleasure, leading to a dissatisfying experience overall.
People who have experienced trauma may be more likely to engage in compulsive or avoidant behaviors related to sex. Compulsive behaviors involve engaging in sexual activity despite negative consequences, while avoidant behaviors involve avoiding sex altogether. Both of these behaviors can further damage relationships and self-esteem and increase distress. Traumatic events may trigger flashbacks or intrusive thoughts that make it difficult to stay focused on the present moment, including sex. These experiences can make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed about their sexuality, leading to feelings of guilt or shame.
Experiencing trauma can significantly impact one's ability to maintain arousal during sex and other intimate encounters. Understanding this connection between trauma and sexual function is important for helping individuals cope with the aftermath of trauma. Therapists and counselors can help clients develop coping strategies and techniques to regulate their arousal levels and improve their sexual satisfaction. With time, therapy, and support from loved ones, individuals can overcome the effects of trauma on their sexual health and intimacy.
How does trauma interfere with ability to maintain arousal?
The study of trauma can be defined as an experience that has been associated with significant distress, fear, anxiety, and helplessness, which may lead to long-term mental health consequences. Traumatic experiences have also been linked to alterations in brain functioning, including changes in the stress response system (Marmar et al. , 2019).