Understanding and Treating Religious Trauma
Understanding and Treating Religious Trauma
Religious beliefs and practices are an important part of many people’s lives. Religion often helps individuals experience a sense of belonging within a faith community as well as increased feelings of peace and hope. Unfortunately, religious institutions can also cause extreme stress and suffering when systems and leaders are authoritarian and abusive. Leaving an abusive religious group can also cause psychological, physical, and emotional trauma.
What is Religious Trauma?
Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS), although not listed in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), is a group of symptoms mimicking PTSD that can happen when someone is immersed in a controlling or abusive religious group and the subsequent impact of leaving that group. For example, some religious groups teach that followers must believe certain ideas and practices to be saved from hell and have eternal life. Often these religious groups will use the authority of a holy text or the power of a belief system to humiliate and embarrass those who seek to leave the group.
In 2011, Dr. Marlene Winell coined the clinical term “Religious Trauma Syndrome.” According to Dr. Winell, RTS is “the condition experienced by people who are struggling with leaving an authoritarian, dogmatic religion and coping with damaging indoctrination. They may be going through the shattering of a personally meaningful faith and/or breaking away from a controlling community or lifestyle.”
Spiritual and Religious Abuse in a Faith Community
Abuse may occur when religious leaders or institutions try to control, manipulate, and shame adherents. This might take the form of physical and sexual abuse; emotional abuse; being told people are sinful and going to hell; mistreatment because of the questions people ask; marginalization due to people’s gender, identity, or sexual expressions; and the feeling of being trapped or unable to leave a group.
If a faith community tells people to not trust their thoughts, behaviors, or bodies through control, conformity, and manipulation, this can bring trauma. Religious institutions might also motivate adherents through fear of “Satan,” hell, or even God’s wrath. Fear keeps people trapped in the system of abuse and unable to reach outside of the institution for support.
It’s important to note that religion isn’t always traumatizing. Religion often gives people something to believe in and a community in which to belong. According to research, this sense of belonging and belief aids in the reduction of suicidality, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Also, many of the rituals that surround difficult life situations (birth, marriage, and death) help people cope while increasing wellbeing.
Yet, when power, abuse by a leader or bully, control, and manipulation of identity take place, it becomes important to seek therapeutic help to work on keeping the good aspects of religious faith while detangling it from the unhealthy parts. Often, disconnecting totally from religion may be necessary for healing to begin.
10 Signs of Religious Trauma
Some of the signs of Religious Trauma Syndrome may include:
- Difficulty in making decisions and decreased critical thinking skills
- Decreased sense of self-worth, self-esteem, and identity
- Struggling with emotional regulation
- Difficulty building strong relationships
- Struggling to fit in and feeling isolated
- Nightmares and other sleep issues
- Eating issues
- Sexual dysfunction
- Anxiety and depression
- Grief
How to Heal from Religious Trauma
It is possible to heal from religious trauma. Dr. Winell outlines several steps in the recovery process:
- Find a trusted confidant with whom you can be honest and share your feelings as to whether religion is working for you.
- Locate a therapist who can help you deal with the trauma that comes as a part of the indoctrination and control.
- Begin to rebuild your life around new values that care for your soul rather than simply meet requirements of your faith community.
- Find a community – not necessarily a faith-based group – where you can reclaim your creativity, independence, and inquisitive spirit.
If you or someone you know is suffering with the symptoms of religious trauma, consulting a qualified mental health professional can begin the process of regaining spiritual hope and increasing psychological well being.
– Dr. Mike Gregg, Therapy Intern