Religious trauma syndrome

Religious Trauma Syndrome (riːˈlɪdʒəs ˈtrɔːmə sɪnˈdroʊm) is a condition experienced by individuals who are struggling with leaving an authoritarian, dogmatic religion and coping with the damage of indoctrination. It may also refer to the trauma experienced by individuals as a result of the practices and doctrines of their religious tradition.

Etymology

The term "Religious Trauma Syndrome" was coined by Dr. Marlene Winell in 2011. The term is derived from the English words Religious (from the Latin religio meaning "reverence for the gods"), Trauma (from the Greek trauma meaning "wound"), and Syndrome (from the Greek syndrome meaning "concurrence of symptoms, concourse of things running together").

Symptoms

Symptoms of Religious Trauma Syndrome may include:

• Cognitive dissonance
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic disorder
• Social dysfunction
• Sleep disturbance
• Substance abuse

Related Terms

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
• Spiritual abuse
• Cult
• Deconversion
• Apostasy

Treatment

Treatment for Religious Trauma Syndrome often involves psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and exposure therapy. Support groups and self-care practices can also be beneficial.

See Also

• Religion and health
• Religion and psychology
• Religion and sexuality
• Religion and substance abuse

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Religious trauma syndrome
• Wikipedia's article - Religious trauma syndrome

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