Relational suppression is an issue that has been prevalent since time immemorial, especially among LGBTQIA+ individuals who face societal stigma due to their nonconformist gender expression, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic statuses. It refers to the process of suppressing one's natural tendencies towards intimate bonds with others because of pressure from external factors such as familial expectations, cultural norms, religious beliefs, or even peer pressure. While it may seem like an easy solution for some people, relational suppression can have profound psychological effects on identity development and self-esteem. This article will explore these impacts, highlighting how they manifest themselves physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and culturally.
The Physical Effects of Relational Suppression
Physiologically, relational suppression can cause health issues such as high blood pressure, insomnia, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, and chronic stress disorders. When individuals deny themselves access to love and intimacy, the body reacts negatively by producing cortisol, a hormone responsible for regulating the fight-or-flight response. Overproduction of this hormone can lead to increased heart rate, weight gain, loss of appetite, and sleep disturbances. Individuals may also experience headaches, migraines, muscle pain, fatigue, and overall feelings of weakness.
When someone lacks physical affection in their lives, they become vulnerable to diseases such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular complications.
Mental Effects of Relational Suppression
Psychologically, relational suppression can lead to various mental health conditions that affect one's cognitive abilities, mood, emotions, and behavioral patterns.
Individuals who repress their sexuality may struggle with low self-esteem, poor self-image, and low confidence levels due to constant internal conflict about their identity. They may feel shame or guilt over their desires or lack the ability to express them freely. This can result in social withdrawal, isolation, aggression, substance abuse, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. In severe cases, relational suppression has been linked to psychosis, schizophrenia, and other serious mental illnesses.
Emotional Effects of Relational Suppression
Relational suppression also takes an emotional toll on people who are forced to deny themselves intimate relationships with others. They may develop emotional numbness, leading to a lack of empathy towards others. Moreover, suppressing natural urges for sex and companionship may lead to emotional dysregulation, resulting in erratic behaviors such as outbursts, tantrums, or violence. Individuals might experience intense feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and sadness because of their inability to connect with others.
Spiritual Effects of Relational Suppression
Suppressing one's sexuality and gender expression often results in spiritual conflicts that can affect religious beliefs, values, and practices. Some religions and cultures frown upon same-sex relationships and transgender identities, forcing those affected by these restrictions to choose between following traditional norms or embracing their true selves. The resulting tension can lead to a loss of faith, confusion about their spiritual path, and even trauma due to the rejection from religious communities.
Suppressed individuals may struggle with finding meaning and purpose in life without intimacy, leading to spiritual despair.
Cultural Effects of Relational Suppression
The cultural effects of relational suppression are equally profound since it influences how society views and treats members of marginalized groups.
Gay individuals face discrimination, prejudice, and stigma because of societal biases against them. This can impact their access to education, employment, healthcare, housing, and other basic services, further contributing to feelings of alienation, isolation, and exclusion. Transgender people also experience similar challenges due to stereotypes and misconceptions about their identity. These barriers prevent them from participating fully in society, limiting their potential for growth and development.
Relational suppression has far-reaching psychological effects on identity development and self-esteem, especially among LGBTQIA+ individuals. Physically, it can cause health issues such as high blood pressure, insomnia, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, and chronic stress disorders. Mentally, it leads to low self-esteem, poor cognitive abilities, emotional dysregulation, and severe mental illnesses. Emotionally, it causes emotional numbness, loneliness, sadness, and violence. Spiritually, it creates conflict between personal beliefs and societal norms, resulting in loss of faith or spiritual despair. Culturally, it limits opportunities and promotes discrimination. Therefore, addressing relational suppression is crucial to ensure that everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves authentically without fear of repercussions.
What are the psychological effects of relational suppression on identity development and self-esteem?
Relational suppression can have various psychological effects on identity development and self-esteem that depend on individual factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural background. Some research has suggested that relational suppression may lead to feelings of shame, low self-worth, and diminished sense of self. It could also contribute to an increased tendency towards anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illness.