Religious Trauma is Trauma

Submitted by Andrew Pledger

Hello, my name is Andrew Pledger, and this is my story of religious trauma. My story is long and complex which is why I’ve been working on a book. This entry will leave out many details and cover the general overview of my experiences, and help people understand how I got here.

Restoration Counseling says, “Religious trauma is similar in symptoms to Complex-PTSD. Symptoms of RT include:

• Negative beliefs about others
• Low self-esteem
• Struggle with emotional regulation
• Depression, anxiety, grief, and anger
• Nightmares
• Disassociation, flashbacks
• Lack of pleasure
• Feeling isolated
• Feeling empty, lost or directionless
• Reduced critical thinking
• Feeling out of place or like you don’t belong

According to Restoration Counseling, Religious Trauma Syndrome is often caused for several reasons for different people. Many people experience RTS as a result of an authoritarian religion or faith community. Individuals suffering from RTS may be struggling with black and white thinking, irrational beliefs, difficulty trusting oneself, low self-esteem, or feeling indebted to a group of people. Skewed views of sex, discipline, emotional regulation, relationships, and self-expression are usually present in toxic religious…