What to Know About Religious Trauma
When you think of religion, you may think of having to go to mass with your family on holidays or attending church together as a family every Sunday. Maybe it makes you think of special occasions like baptisms, first communions, or weddings. You might even think of religion as something to believe in or something to give you hope for yourself and the world, especially during challenging or stressful times.
While all of these things can be true about religion, so can trauma related to religion. Religious trauma isn't as widely talked about as other forms of trauma, but that doesn't mean it's nonexistent. Some children may have grown up in a very strict, religious-based household. Others may have had to hide who they were for years to feel accepted by their family, friends, and community.
Here's what to know about religious trauma.
What Is Religious Trauma?
Religious trauma is the emotional, physical, or psychological response to religious beliefs or practices that can have long-lasting negative influences on a person's overall mental well-being.
The Cause
Religious trauma is typically caused when an official or religious community uses a person's religious or spiritual beliefs against them to manipulate their actions, decisions, self-esteem, and self-worth. This can be done through ongoing traumatic abuse or if the person chooses to leave the religion or their religious community.
These are some of the most common causes of religious trauma:
Emotional abuse
Excommunication
Fear-based teaching
Financial abuse
Gender roles
Guilt
Physical abuse
Repressed critical thinking skills
Sexual abuse
Shame
Here are some examples of religious trauma:
Abuse due to anti-gay beliefs
Being shamed for being unmarried
Being shamed for having an abortion
Internal shaming
Judgment
Leaving the family or community due to safety concerns
The Signs and Symptoms
Religious trauma can change the course of someone's life and the signs and symptoms from it can carry with them for years. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of religious trauma:
Addiction
Anxiety
Delay of social milestones (for example: first kiss, dating, school dances)
Depression
Difficulty making decisions
Eating disorders
Hypervigilance
Isolation
Lack of boundaries
Low self-esteem
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Perfectionism
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Self-harm
Sexual dysfunction
Shame
Suicidal ideation
Healing From Religious Trauma
Religious trauma is typically ongoing and repetitive. Due to this, there may be a lot of layers to unpack. While healing from religious trauma is possible, it does require a bit of time and dedication to make those necessary changes. Here are some ways you can start the process of healing from religious trauma.
Acknowledge the Trauma
Admitting to yourself that you endured trauma is never easy, but acknowledging it is the first step towards being able to process those thoughts and emotions and be able to move forward in your life again.
Set Boundaries
Boundaries are crucial in any type of relationship. They help you determine what you want and need in relationships to make sure that you're staying true to yourself. Set and stick to boundaries to protect your overall mental health and wellness.
Join a Supportive Community
When experiencing religious trauma, you may feel lonely or isolated. Try to find and join a support group or participate in local community events to help reduce those feelings.
Seek Additional Support
It's important to know that healing from religious trauma doesn't mean you have to get rid of all of your beliefs or abandon them. It just means reframing or redefining your belief system in ways that are better suited for you. A trauma therapist will be able to work with you to challenge those negative beliefs so you can grow your levels of self-esteem again. Over time, you'll be able to replace those negative beliefs with more positive ones. Reach out today to get started.