Soldiers are often expected to be able to suppress their natural desires and focus solely on accomplishing their mission objectives. This can lead to psychological numbness and the suppression of physical urges such as hunger, thirst, sleep needs, and even sexual desire.
It is important to understand how this affects them both physically and mentally. When soldiers are away from their loved ones for extended periods, they may experience feelings of isolation, loneliness, and anxiety which could lead to depression if left unaddressed. In addition to these emotional consequences, there are also potential physical effects associated with long-term suppression of basic needs like appetite or sleep that need to be considered.
The Psychology Behind Suppressing Desire
The human body has several mechanisms in place to help regulate its functioning based on environmental conditions. One of these mechanisms is called homeostasis, which involves maintaining a stable internal environment within certain limits despite external changes.
When temperatures drop below normal levels outside the body, the hypothalamus triggers an increase in metabolism so that heat production increases and more energy is expended. Similarly, when food intake drops below what is needed for survival, the body enters starvation mode until enough nutrients are available again. These responses help ensure survival in times of crisis but have been shown to have detrimental effects if they persist over time.
Physical Consequences
When soldiers suppress their natural desires for too long, there can be serious physical consequences. Sleep deprivation can cause fatigue and impairment in cognitive functions while malnutrition can weaken immune system response and increase vulnerability to illnesses. Hunger strikes, which involve deliberately refusing food for political purposes, have been linked with negative health outcomes such as weight loss, electrolyte imbalance, and organ damage due to prolonged fasting periods beyond 48 hours. Sexual abstinence has also been linked with decreased libido after discharge from military service, suggesting that even brief periods without sexual activity may have lasting effects on hormone levels and reproductive organs.
Emotional Effects
In addition to the physical consequences of suppressing desire, soldiers must contend with emotional turmoil caused by being away from family or friends for extended periods. This can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression if left unaddressed. Studies show that soldiers who experience frequent separation from loved ones are at higher risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those who do not face similar challenges during their service period. PTSD is characterized by persistent symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, insomnia, anger outbursts, and difficulty concentrating that interfere with daily life activities. It is important for soldiers suffering from PTSD to seek treatment through counseling services available within the military or Veteran Affairs clinics upon return home.
Soldiers face unique challenges when it comes to managing their desires while deployed in remote locations where they cannot easily access resources needed to satisfy them. Suppressing physical needs like hunger or sleep deprivation is necessary under certain circumstances but should never be prolonged without adequate restoration. Moreover, social isolation due to long deployments can take a mental toll leading to psychological numbness which impairs cognitive functions required for effective mission completion. As such, understanding how these factors affect soldiers' health and well-being helps identify potential issues before they become serious problems requiring professional intervention.
How do soldiers understand the emotional consequences of suppressing physical desire for long periods due to military conditions or psychological numbing?
During war time, it is not unusual for soldiers to experience prolonged separation from their loved ones and spend long hours with limited resources in challenging environments that are far away from home. Soldiers may also be expected to maintain high levels of discipline and focus on completing dangerous missions, even when faced with intense stressors such as loss, injury, or death.