How Does Exposure to Life-Threatening Situations Affect Veterans' Perception of Relational Temporality, Urgency, and Value of Closeness?
Sexuality is an essential part of human life that has been explored extensively through research studies. It encompasses intimate relations between people and plays a crucial role in their overall wellbeing.
It can be affected by various factors such as trauma and exposure to life-threatening situations. This paper will explore how veterans experience these factors and how they affect their perception of relational temporality, urgency, and value of closeness.
How Does Trauma Impact Sexuality?
Exposure to life-threatening situations, especially during combat, can have severe psychological effects on veterans. They often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which may manifest itself through flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, irritability, anger outbursts, hypervigilance, and insomnia. PTSD may also result in difficulties in relationships due to changes in mood and behavior. Research shows that sexual dysfunction is one of the most common symptoms among veterans suffering from PTSD, which could cause low libido, decreased arousal or pleasure, difficulty reaching orgasm, vaginal dryness, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and painful intercourse.
Why Do Veterans With PTSD Experience Difficulties in Relationships?
Veterans with PTSD may find it challenging to form and maintain close relationships because of their altered perception of time and space.
They may feel constantly threatened and unsafe, leading them to avoid intimacy and closeness.
They may experience intrusive memories of past traumas when engaging in sexual activities or even feel a lack of emotional connection with their partners. This leads to relationship distress and breakdowns.
The Concept of Temporality
Temporality refers to our ability to perceive time as moving linearly forward towards an endpoint. It allows us to plan for the future and anticipate events.
Veterans with PTSD may have difficulty experiencing this temporality because they perceive every moment as potentially dangerous or life-threatening. They may struggle to focus on the present moment and live in the now, making it difficult to enjoy intimate moments with their partners.
How Does Urgency Impact Sexuality?
Urgency can be defined as the feeling of being rushed or pressed for time, causing one to act without thinking. In sex, urgency can manifest as a need for quick gratification and a desire to finish quickly. Veterans with PTSD may experience heightened levels of urgency due to their exposure to life-threatening situations, which can lead to impulsivity during sexual activity. They may feel that time is running out and try to complete the task at hand instead of focusing on the pleasure and connection.
Why Do Veterans With PTSD Experience Heightened Levels of Urgency During Sexual Activity?
Veterans with PTSD often suffer from hyperarousal symptoms such as increased heart rate and sweating. These physiological responses are meant to prepare them for action but can also make them feel anxious and overwhelmed when trying to relax into intimacy. This can cause them to avoid intimacy altogether or become too aroused too quickly.
They may feel a sense of guilt after engaging in sex, leading them to seek other forms of release such as masturbation or pornography.
The Value of Closeness
Closeness is an important aspect of relationships that involves emotional bonds between individuals. It allows them to connect and share experiences while creating a safe space for vulnerability.
Veterans with PTSD may struggle with closeness because they have difficulty trusting others and experiencing intimacy.
How Does Veteran Perception of Relational Temporality Affect Their Value of Closeness?
Veterans with PTSD may perceive time differently than those without it, making it challenging to enjoy the present moment and appreciate the value of closeness. This can lead to difficulties forming deep connections with their partners and feeling emotionally supported.
How Does Urgency Impact Value of Closeness?
Urgency can also affect the value of closeness by creating a sense of pressure during intimate moments. Veterans may feel rushed and unable to fully experience the physical and emotional connection with their partner, which can lead to dissatisfaction and distance.
They may be more likely to engage in casual sexual encounters instead of committing to long-term relationships, further exacerbating the problem.
Exposure to life-threatening situations and trauma can significantly impact veterans' perceptions of relational temporality, urgency, and value of closeness. They may struggle to form close relationships due to their altered perception of time, impulsivity, and heightened levels of arousal. To support veterans with PTSD, therapists should address these issues as part of their treatment plan and help them rebuild their sense of safety and trust.
How does exposure to life-threatening situations affect veterans' perception of relational temporality, urgency, and value of closeness?
The traumatic experiences that veterans go through during their military service have long-lasting effects on them even after they return home. One such effect is their altered view of time, which can impact how they perceive relationships with others. In this essay, we will explore how exposure to life-threatening situations affects veterans' perception of relational temporality, urgency, and value of closeness.