Do I have Religious Trauma?

Religious trauma is a type of psychological trauma that can occur as a result of negative experiences within your religious community or as a result of a conflict between your personal beliefs and the teachings of your religion. This type of trauma can have serious consequences on your mental health and well-being, and it is important to recognize the signs and seek help if necessary.

One way to determine if you may be experiencing religious trauma is to take a quiz or self-assessment. We created a quiz to help. Take the quiz here

If you are still on the fence about taking that quiz, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to better understand if you may be experiencing religious trauma:

1. Have you experienced any negative or abusive behaviors within your religious community? This could include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as manipulation or coercion.

2. Have you experienced any conflicts between your personal beliefs and the teachings of your religion? This can be particularly difficult if you feel like you are being asked to compromise your values or beliefs in order to conform to the expectations of your religious community.

3. Do you feel a sense of guilt or shame when you don't adhere to the expectations of your religion? This can be a sign of internalized religious trauma, especially if you feel like you are constantly failing to meet the standards of your faith.

4. Do you feel isolated or unsupported by your religious community? This can be especially difficult if you feel like you don't fit in or are rejected because of your beliefs or behaviors.

5. Have you experienced any changes in your mental health as a result of your involvement in your religious community? This could include an increase in anxiety or depression or a decrease in self-esteem or confidence.

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it may be helpful to seek support from a mental health professional or a trusted friend or family member. Religious trauma can be a difficult and isolating experience, but there is help available. It is important to prioritize your mental health and well-being and to seek out support and guidance if you need it. We are in your corner, rooting for you!

We have therapists that specialize in helping people leave traumatic communities and recover from their impact. If you are looking for ways to get both education and support, we’ve created our no-pressure community led by a clinical psychologist that specializes in religious trauma and cult recovery. You can read more about and register for A Year of Non-Magical Thinking here.

If you think you might be a survivor of religious trauma, we suggest you start with our easy-to-follow religious trauma workbook, De-Glorifying Suffering. You can download it immediately and begin your religious trauma recovery journey today.