Can trauma other than sexual abuse cause sexual problems later?
My mother used to have explosive rages when she was drinking, and now I find I can’t relax with my partner sexually, even though I want to. Yes, non-sexual trauma can cause sexual problems. When you are exposed to trauma (in some cases even witnessing trauma), your body and brain go into a self-protective state of emergency. Unfortunately, long after the original event, certain triggers can prompt your brain to revert to this emergency state. This state of hypervigilance can make relaxation during sex very challenging.
