Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - (Page 1) American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists sexuality The international resource for educators, researchers and therapists contemporary October 2008 Vol. 42, No. 10 In this issue President’s Column . . . . . . . . .3 Support veterans by donating to ‘Give an Hour’ Regaining intimacy after war can’t wait to come Of the 1.64 million U.S. home.” men and women who have “I can’t wait to participated in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, one study make love to you.” estimates that many returning The letters Kelly Meister veterans struggle with mental received from her partner, a health issues. In a telephone U.S. Marine serving in Iraq, survey of 1,965 former solwere filled with yearning. But when Meister’s lover returned to the couple’s diers, the RAND Corporation found that “14 Hereford, Arizona home, the reality was quite percent screened positive for PTSD and 14 percent for major depression.” different. Clinical psychologist Lisa H. Jaycox, PhD, “On that first night, I went to snuggle up to her and she said, ‘Don’t touch me. I don’t want author of the RAND report called “Invisible Wounds of War: Summary of Key Findings on you near me,’” Meister says. As a former Marine herself, Meister under- Psychological and Cognitive Injuries,” worries stood it might take time for her partner to adjust that these veterans aren’t getting the medical to civilian life. Meister, 42, had also witnessed attention they need. how the psychological impact of war could negcontinued on page 4 atively influence a relationship when her stepfather, a Vietnam veteran, argued with her mother. Meister didn’t want that to happen to her. So she took things slowly, saying, “I know you need time and when you’re ready, you will come to me.” But it took a full two weeks before Meister’s partner, a mechanic who was involved in multiple combat battles, allowed Meister to touch her. “Prior to the war, she was very sexual,” Meister says. “But when she came back, it didn’t matter [to her].” When her partner slept, Meister noticed that her trigger finger twitched. When she drank beer, that same trigger finger bounced nervously on the glass bottle. “In the Marine Corps, they don’t care what your job is,” Meister says. “If they need you on the front line to fire a weapon, they will put you in.” After months of avoiding therapy, Meister’s partner was eventually diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder often caused by experiencing or witnessing violence and the threat of death. Soldiers suffering from PTSD often relive the violent events Photo illustration by David Lewis Baker. Reprinted with permission. through dreams, thoughts and external cues. For more info: www.flickr.com/photos/david_lewis_baker_arts/ Meister’s partner is far from alone. 1387772126/ “I It’s tough for veterans who experienced trauma and brain injuries Member Profile . . .6 Meet Christine Henny from Bethesda, Md. Quick Hits: Sex in the News . . . . . . . .8 Bristol Palin’s pregnancy prompts abstinence-only discussion News of Members . . . . . . .10 ‘Boyhood Shadows’ documentary released http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_lewis_baker_arts/1387772126 http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_lewis_baker_arts/1387772126
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 Contents President's Column Member Profile Quick Hits: Sex in the News News of Members Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - Contents (Page 1) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - Contents (Page 2) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - President's Column (Page 3) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - President's Column (Page 4) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - President's Column (Page 5) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - Member Profile (Page 6) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - Member Profile (Page 7) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - Quick Hits: Sex in the News (Page 8) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - Quick Hits: Sex in the News (Page 9) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - News of Members (Page 10) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - News of Members (Page 11) Contemporary Sexuality - October 2008 - News of Members (Page 12)
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