Ptsd And Your Libido

[Geluzi]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Freudian reductionist theory that all of our problems stem from a repressed libido?

If this is true or partially true, what does it mean for us PTSD sufferers?

Personally, my libido has been severely repressed for a while. I'm triggered by sex, sex appeal, dating, relationships--pretty much anything in that realm. I've faced really bad shaming, rejection, and degradation in the past.

Well, I've been slowly and painfully working on recovering a healthy libido. It's been very uphill and scary just going there in my mind, trying to expose myself to it and ground through the triggers. I had a pretty good experience a few days ago. Basically I was just able to have a fantasy and feel desire without freaking out. The next day I felt distinctly calmer and happier walking down the street. Frankly, it seems to have done more good than all of the therapy I've had so far.

Anyone have any relevant experiences to share?

 

[Ovi]

Freudian reductionist theory that all of our problems stem from a repressed libido?

Repressed? Mine is through the roof high. Yes, some of that has to do with imbalanced hormones due to PCOS but most has to do with my past. I seek sex the same way, do it the same way, punished over it the same way.

I will say that ive not had a sexual urge for a few months now (as opposed to constantly through out the day relieving many times a day) and i think that has to do some what with having a shit ton piled on me but i think a lot of it has to do with recent therapy work with my trauma on that specific area.

I know PTSD has a side effect of a repressed libido for some but i think its the same way; therapy work around trauma around the area of sex.

Freudian reductionist theory that all of our problems stem from a repressed libido?

If only!

 

[Geluzi]

Repressed? Mine is through the roof high. Yes, some of that has to do with imbalanced hormones due to PCOS but most has to do with my past. I seek sex the same way, do it the same way, punished over it the same way.

Is this casual sex with no goal except to get off? Or is this sex in the context of a relationship with an emotional connection?

 

[Fazef]

Well, though I wish I had a partner, a husband or boyfriend, I dont. So its sex with many people in the attempt to gain some closeness with someone and to feel loved for any length of time (usually when they are done).

Its also done, at times, to play out my past. But still done to feel loved.

I do get off but not 100% of the time. My head thinks its my job, only, to pleasure and not to care about myself. Though, depending on the guy, and the act, I can enjoy it.

But regardless, what Im after 100% of the time is to feel loved for however short time that is.

Not sure if that answered it.

 

[Ciboj]

I think Freud meant well, but his theories have nearly all been thoroughly and soundly disproven as complete and utter nonsense. Not even psychodynamic therapy uses Freud's theories, although they use some of his methods and approach. They're still studied by nearly every psych 101 class, as one of the founding fathers of the discipline (much like we study laws regarding slavery but do not practice it, or study failed scientific theory in order to avoid it); but part of that course of study is always "why he was wrong".

 

[Jopoza]

I think Freud meant well, but his theories have nearly all been thoroughly and soundly disproven as complete and utter nonsense. Not even psychodynamic therapy uses Freud's theories, although they use some of his methods and approach.

This interests me. I feel like part of why universities rush to say that he was wrong may have to do with the prevailing ideology at most universities these days, namely the "blank slate" theory of human nature (or lack of human nature). I also had teachers in college who told me unequivocally that evolutionary psychology is bunk (for the same ideological reasons, I assume).

But I don't think evolutionary psychology is bunk, and it's interesting to me that it seems to have some affinities with Freudian basics including the supremacy of the reproductive imperative and the presence of drives that motivate people unbeknownst to them.

 

[Nazo]

Freud believed that people had sexual drives towards their parents. Hahaha. No.

Never. Ever. No.

 

[Geluzi]

Freud believed that people had sexual drives towards their parents. Hahaha. No.

Never. Ever. No.

But at the age of two, three, four. You would not be able to remember.

 

[One]

My sex drive is entirely repressed. I never have normal spontaneous erections at all. I have no natural. physical sexual inclination. I do, however, have the mental inclination, and I have a partner. So I can do my best to relax my body, and concentrate really hard on sexy thoughts, and I can usually get a full erection and have satisfying sex. But it's a lot of work. It's not normal. Unlike most men, I wish once in a while my penis would be in control. Instead I have to do my best to get him to work. And yes, it's all PTSD related. I have no physical problems.

 

[Geluzi]

And yes, it's all PTSD related. I have no physical problems.

So, do you know what type of trauma is causing this? Is it sexual trauma in particular or some other type? Have you tried therapy to get at the root of it? "Sex" therapy or "regular" therapy?

BTW, thanks for your candid reply (but hey, that is what the anonymous forum is for right? ;))

 

[Ikibi]

So, do you know what type of trauma is causing this? Is it sexual trauma in particular or some other type? Have you tri...

There was a lot of childhood trauma. At least some of it was sexual in nature, though not the direct type of sexual abuse that you might expect. There may've been more that I can't remember though.

My current sexual repression started in some ways around age 16. By my early 20's, my natural sexual drive was completely gone. I've spent a lot of time, in my head as well as in therapy, trying to unravel my thinking problems, but have not spent much time trying to get to the bottom of my sexual repression. I figure that it's just a by product of my PTSD and is less important than not being able to fully function in society. I also figure that once I am able to fix the main issues of my PTSD (if I ever am able), then my sexual issues will likely improve as well.

 

[Geluzi]

I also figure that once I am able to fix the main issues of my PTSD (if I ever am able), then my sexual issues will likely improve as well.

Well, here's the thing -- have you considered that resolving your sexual issues first may help with your PTSD? Since they seem to be two sides of the same coin, or something. Think about dominoes. Your PTSD triggered a domino effect that came to a head with the deadening of your libido. Now, by attacking and relieving the result (sexual dysfunction), might the pressure exerted have a backward domino effect through and up back to the cause (PTSD)? Hopefully, I am making some kind of sense here.

What do you experience when confronted with sexual stimuli? Personally, I feel triggered, embarrassed, and unworthy.