Disgust and aversion

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What is disgust?

Disgust is a defensive attitude that has different cultural characteristics. This defensive attitude does not arise from a natural disposition, but is dictated by social norms. Disgust is defined as an emotional barrier erected in the course of socialization. The fact that it is so difficult to reduce or even get rid of disgust is because it is brought up in early childhood.

The toddler does not yet feel disgust for urine and feces, but on the contrary - especially in the anal phase - treats its excretions with relish. Only in the course of upbringing does a disgust arise, which grows stronger and can spread to ever larger areas. There are people who find their own body or the body of other people disgusting. So disgust can be deeply rooted in the personality.

In general terms, disgust is a feeling of aversion that can relate to objects (food, excrement, genitals), people or behaviors (also towards oneself). Disgust is strongly defined by body feelings (nausea). When a person develops an aversion to certain behaviors of other people, it is described as a mental attitude of reluctance. You feel repulsed and don't want to come into contact with such a person.

How is disgust experienced?

The disgusting person feels extremely uncomfortable. Typically, feelings of disgust, feeling disgusted, are experienced along with physical nausea or even nausea. In addition, states of tension, irritation and instability are also described.

The individual is faced with a harmful stimulus with which he does not want to come into contact. These can be substances that have been linked to pollution and bad smells. In a figurative sense, disgust can also be directed against individual despicable behaviors or possibly contagious diseases.

Sexual aversions

If someone develops disgust in a sexual situation, this defensive attitude is directed against physical closeness to oneself, against repulsive behaviors, against certain smells or against body fluids that are experienced as slimy, for example.

Severe feelings of disgust or aversions only subside in rare cases. For example, it may be appropriate to seek professional help, for example from behavioral therapists, in the event of sexual aversion.

Tags:  palliative medicine stress drugs