Dealing with Trauma During Intimate Moments

I was still like that at 26, but if its any consolation, I'm 34 now and it has finally faded.

When I am having this issue my therapist gave me some advice that I found helpful. Just when you’re having any form of sexual experience force yourself to pay attention to what is going on in that moment. Pay attention to what you’re feeling, and what you’re seeing. Even if you’re just thinking about what’s on the walls or something physically around you. Don’t close your eyes because it’ll make those images worse. Use your senses and really just try to ground yourself in that moment. When you get those thoughts just keeps paying attention to things around.sometimes having a tv show on while you’re doing things or music or something it really helps you get out of your mind. I find now that I’ve been fighting back on this often that the thoughts happen less and they’re easier to work around usually.

There isn't anything wrong with masturbation as an adult, it's still a natural body function and it doesn't go au after puberty, as long as you do so in a way that is comfortable for everyone on your household. It's also not the same as sex and many people need both. Try to take things slowly or find away to do it differently than what's triggering you and instead of pushing through a trauma response and try to have an experience that avoids the response altogether, this will form new memories of sexual events that are fun and pleasant for you the entire time and will help lower the association of sexual experiences being taumatic ones and give you new memories to go back to during either sex or masturbation.

I appreciate you so much I know it's supposed to be anonymous but I wanted to share that I had made a Facebook page for survivors and It's Called ACA and Me, My Recovery Journey

sexual trauma can really impact a persons relationship with sex and intimacy. My PTSD stems from interpersonal and medical trauma, however within those experiences i also went through S/A. Its not easy repairing your relationship with something like that. You're not alone and I'm sure your husband understands. I am happy you are hopefully in a much safer environment now. 💕 Please stay safe and know you are incredibly strong for making it to today