Anyone else struggling with religious trauma?

[Guest_74021520]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone else have experience with coming out of a religious cult and undoing the damage that it did and with struggling with religious trauma and complex ptsd?

I came out of a religious cult 5 years ago while I was battling serious chronic illness (I was bedridden for two years) and its left me with a ton of trauma that impacts my life a lot. Everything to do with religion and God and all that is very painful and triggering. It's only over time that I've gradually become aware of the spiritual and emotional abuse, the brainwashing, the control, the lies, and everything else that goes with being in a religious cult. I was a kid, I was raised in it. That's 14 of the most formative years of my life. 

I gave up on my faith but even that is traumatising because its your whole world, community, identity, and everything. 

I am scared, tbh. And broken hearted. I feel so lonely and alone. 

Is there anyone else who has gone through something similar to this? Honestly, I really need people to talk to. 

[Croix]

Dear New Member~

I"d like to give you a warm welcome to hte Forum and let you know you are not alone.

No longer being part of a religious cult is no easy thing. For a start those that professed to love you now shun you. The values and rules you were taught, many with a religious foundation, no longer seem to apply, and perhaps worst is lack of ability to trust, having been so thoroughly betrayed

I remember talking to some people in the past but could not single out one that would be particularly helpful to you, so instead I would use the search function built into the  Forum (it is the spyglass towards the top of the page) and search for the word "Jehovah" (no quotes)

Even though your religious group may not be called that you will find 2 pages of discussions, mostly on the same sort of problems you have.

I'm also sorry that you have that chronic physical condition, something that does not help, now you need broad horizons and the rich diversity of of the world, and by the sound of it your movements are limited.

To get over the things that were done to the young you wil of course take time, however you have realised what happened, and that is a huge step to take.

Is there anyone in whom you do have confidence, and whose judgment seems sound?

Please do not be down-hearted about your past and the effect it had on you. Now you will end up a much wiser person - something to be admired

You know you are always welcome here

Croix