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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Can stress cause someone to feel less physically affectionate?

    Related Topics
    Relationships Sexual Health Stress Management
    I have been in a relationship with this girl for two years.

    She said that a month before she left for a 10 month foreign exchange she stopped wanting to kiss me. We have never had problems with this before.

    Is it possible that the stress of her trip could have contributed to or even caused this?
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  • Rebecca Urie

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    Rebecca works hard to create a supportive and safe space for her clients. She really enjoys the challenge of understanding the unique set of struggles, … View Profile

    Yes it is possible.

    Stress can make it more difficult to feel sexually aroused, affectionate, or to be emotionally close to others. For some people, getting 'touchy' (not wanting physical contact with others) is very much part of how their stress manifests. Or to put it another way, to feel like kissing someone, sometimes we first need to feel relaxed and able to focus on the person infront of us (not worries and 'to do lists' for the future).

    I wonder if the up coming 10 month separation in your relationship may have been weighing on her mind also?

    Is it possible to talk to her about your concerns? She is likely to be in the best position to help you understand what she was experiencing.

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