If these experiences occurred while you were in the military, they are considered to be MST. Other MST experiences include unwanted sexual touching or grabbing, unwanted sexual advances that you found threatening, or unwanted comments about your body or your sexual activities that you found threatening. Military sexual trauma also includes sexual activity that happened when you were not able to consent to it, such as if you were asleep or intoxicated. Or it may have been suggested that you would get faster promotions or better treatment in exchange for sex. For example, you may have been threatened with negative consequences for refusing to cooperate. In other cases, no physical force may have been used, but you were coerced or pressured into sexual activities. You may have been physically forced into sexual activities.
MST includes any sexual activity in which you were involved against your will. Veterans of all types of backgrounds have experienced MST, including those of all gender identities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, ages, and branches and eras of service. Avoidance is only a short-term solution, and in the long-run, it can actually cause your feelings and thoughts to become more intense.Military sexual trauma (MST) is the term VA uses to refer to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. As a result, people may rely on unhealthy coping strategies (for example, using substances) as a way of avoiding these symptoms. The symptoms people experience after a traumatic event can be very distressing. Unhealthy coping behaviors: Just as avoidance of activities, situations, or people can be problematic, so can the avoidance of thoughts and feelings.This avoidance can then lead to a worsening of symptoms and eventually PTSD. Avoidance usually leads to more avoidance as it reinforces the belief that the world is not a safe place. However, you must pay attention to avoidance behaviors. Avoidance: After a traumatic event, it is very common to avoid certain situations, activities, or people.This symptom may also cause you to isolate yourself from others, including important sources of social support. This symptom can be a sign that you are at risk of becoming depressed. Loss of interest: It is important to keep an eye out for a loss of interest in activities that you used to once enjoy, as well as feelings of being detached from others.This is especially likely to occur in situations or places that remind you of your traumatic event. Places or situations you once felt secure in may now feel threatening and be anxiety-provoking. Consequently, people may feel as though any situation or place is potentially dangerous. Feeling unsafe: After a traumatic event, our assumptions about the world being a safe and secure place are understandably shattered.
Following a traumatic event, your body's alarm system is going to be more sensitive in an attempt to protect you from future traumatic events. They are preparing us to flee, freeze, or to fight. Fear and anxiety tell us that there is some kind of danger present, and all the bodily sensations that go along with fear and anxiety are essentially designed to help us respond to that danger. This is again part of your body's natural protection system.
Hyperarousal: Just as you are going to likely be more on-guard, you are also likely going to feel more keyed-up and on edge following a traumatic event.This natural safety mechanism is going to be more sensitive following a traumatic event. This is actually a very protective symptom as your body is attempting to keep you safe by making you more aware of potential sources of threat and danger. Hypervigilance: It is also very natural to feel more on-guard and aware of your surroundings after a traumatic event.
This is especially likely to occur when you encounter something (for example, a person, place, or image) that reminds you of the traumatic event.