Eric was just a teenager when his country experienced a violent civil war that lasted for several years. He saw people getting killed, and he witnessed horrific scenes that still haunt him today. After experiencing such horror, Eric had difficulty sleeping, feeling anxious, and having nightmares. His therapist recommended an unusual treatment - watching pornography.
Eric was hesitant because he thought it would be weird to watch porn when he had experienced violence. But after trying it, he found that it helped him escape from reality and feel better about himself. As he explored different genres of porn, he realized that some made him more excited than others. The ones that involved extreme acts of violence turned him on more than the regular ones. He began fantasizing about them during sex with his partner, which led to more fulfilling experiences.
It's common knowledge that sexual desire and trauma are closely linked. When traumatized individuals experience erotic fantasies, they can relive their past experiences in a safe way while also receiving pleasure. It's similar to how children use make-believe games to cope with stressful situations. By controlling the narrative through erotic fantasies, they can avoid reliving the pain but receive satisfaction instead.
This phenomenon is known as "trauma-induced arousal," where victims find sexual gratification in violent imagery. Researchers have studied this process extensively over the past few decades and discovered that it helps people regulate emotions associated with distress or guilt.
According to Dr. Jekaterina Odarchenko, "Trauma-induced arousal can help survivors deal with the aftermath of trauma by giving them a sense of control over their bodies." She further explains that it allows individuals to experience feelings of excitement without being consumed by fear or anxiety. This is why watching violent pornography has become a popular treatment for PTSD symptoms.
There are potential dangers associated with trauma-induced arousal. Some research suggests that individuals who watch violent porn may become desensitized to real-life violence and normalize it. They might also struggle with intimacy issues since they only feel comfortable in relationships when there is an element of power dynamics involved.
Engaging in these activities too frequently can lead to addiction or other compulsive behaviors like masturbation disorders. In some cases, it could even cause relationship problems if one partner doesn't share the same interests as the other.
Despite these risks, many psychologists still recommend exploring erotic fantasies as part of healing from traumatic experiences. It gives people back control over their lives while allowing them to express themselves safely.
It's up to each individual to decide what works best for them - whether through therapy, medications, meditation, or something else entirely.
How do erotic fantasies mediate experiences of trauma induced by political violence?
Erotic fantasies can be used as a way to process traumatic memories and experiences of political violence, but it is not always easy to know how they might relate to each other. When an individual has experienced trauma from war or another type of violent event, they may turn to their imagination for comfort and pleasure that allows them to escape from reality.