• We are a multilingual website again. Read the notice about this.
  • Understand AI use at MyPTSD: all AI use is explained in our AI help page. AI use is by choice here. It exists if you want it, but does nothing unless you choose to use it.

Scared Of Itimacy

Status
Not open for further replies.

macbeth

Gold Member
I have had an awesome relationship with my husband for 7 years, however, after suffering through years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, I really struggle with the idea and act of sex. I recoil when hugged let alone touched. I feel disgusted and sometimes dirty if I think of having and enjoying sex. I hate that my partner suffers too and has been so understanding and patient. I don't know how to overcome this issue and was wondering if anyone else has felt similar to this.
 
I've been working on similar feelings through online roleplaying. It offers me a very safe space to express myself sexually without feeling like I am in any danger. I can focus on the emotional trust needed without worrying about the physical aspects. Not sure if that gives you any ideas or not. Maybe try sexy texting?
 
Hey Macbeth, I'm really sorry to hear that you're struggling with this. I posted similar thing a couple of days ago about adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and intimacy because I have never been able to get into any relationships due to my issues with the disgust, feeling dirty, guilty, pathetic about sexual relationships and relating them to rape and molestation. I am working on this issue myself and will bring this into therapy when I meet my therapist. Please try getting therapy for this or else your relationship is most likely to suffer. I am not trying to scare you but sadly male mind wants more sex due to the amount of testosterone they have and if they don't get sex they are very frustrated.
 
Yes I suffer from this problem too. The main technique Ive found useful is to "blank out" but thats probably not a healthy way to deal with the problem. The other thing that helps sometimes if youre having flashbacks is to focus on something about your partner which doesnt resemble your attacker. It could be his hair. Keep looking at his hair and reminding yourself that youre safe and with someone who loves you. I usually repet it in my head when other thoughts or memories are trying to intrude. If that doesnt tell him to stop and you can leave the room until you feel calm. Dont force yourself to do something that harms you. I hope this is helpful. Im still working on it myself
 
Please do speak with your therapist Macbeth.....I bit my bottom lip for years...just forced myself through sex and intimacy..that is no good for you or your husband. I understand the feeling of shame and embarrassment. Maybe you can write it down and pass it to the therapist to read? You don't have to go into too much detail, just enough to let them know. A therapist will understand why you told them this way. Hopefully you will grow like myself and one day enjoy all the aspects of a relationship.....you deserve it!
 
This is such a tough side-effect of abuse. My story is similar to yours, and, in my case, things fell apart in a relationship that started so beautifully. I did go to therapy, but my husband at the time was a very shy man who could not get comfortable talking to a couple's therapist. That hurt me, though that certainly was not his intent. I kept going to individual therapy, but our marriage eventually dissolved amicably. Unfortunately I had a "trauma bond" affair with a man who was assaulted, too, when I was working abroad and we were both mugged (but I was also sexually assaulted). Afterward, not only did the issue of being intimate with my husband continue but also my self-loathing for having had an affair while abroad. I'm still heart-broken about it: the divorce was 10 years ago. I love him dearly and can't bring myself to call him my "ex-husband" so I coined the term my "once-husband."

I hope you talk about your intimacy problem with your therapist and your partner. I think couple's therapy would be helpful if your partner would be willing.

I wish you the very best.
 
I don't know how useful can I be to you, I was trying to overcome the issue for months and I'm still struggling with it. It's what you said - the though of it made me feel disgusted and dirty. I found small things most helpful, taking care of yourself. It might be a wax or a shave, new shower gel for intimate area, a routine that will make you feel comfortable but yet different, in order to show to yourself that your body DESERVES to take pleasure of the small things. You might not find it immediately, but don't give up on yourself. I found that in order to be able to receive pleasure from the others, you first have to learn how to pleasure yourself. I felt ashamed and embarrassed at the beginning, more like a schoolgirl caught in the act, and it is not working immediately like a miracle cure, but it's gonna let you slowly start to heal. And when you are comfortable with yourself, try to find pleasure in the small acts, allow your husband to give you pleasure. Don't jump into sex too early, kisses on the neck and a hug from behind that makes you feel aroused is a huge success, don't ever let yourself down for not being able to go further. Instead, be proud of yourself and what you've accomplish. Don't force yourself in order to please him, discover what you like and don't and let him know, probably they are things that you will never feel comfortable, discuss them with him and allow yourself to sometimes take pleasure without giving anything in return. I sincerely hope that you will find out how amazing overcoming your past makes you and that you deserve to be well, treated well and not feeling guilt about it.
 
Men with PTSD really hate violence against women. We become Dexters. We just don't like anyone who victimizes anyone. Anyone who abuses anyone in my eyes, in a position of control, bullies, rapists, you name it. Needless to say, my kind usually doesn't live very long.
 
Thank you guys and girls. I found this really hard to discuss but it is a big problem for me. You have all been so supportive about this issue so thanks again.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Donation drives

2026 Donation Goal

Goal
$1,800.00
Earned
$910.00
This donation drive ends in
0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds
  50.6%

Trending content

Featured content

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom