Is Religious Trauma Real

• Did you grow up in a fundamental religion?

• Were you taught to fear the wrath of God?

• Were you depressed as a child - a depression that follows you today?

Many former fundamentalists suffer the lingering effects of religious trauma. Even when we grow up and no longer believe the rhetoric of hell fire, we may still respond to stressful situations with the automatic fear responses that were created in us as children. These responses can be:

• A fear of dying in our sleep

• Bedwetting

• The feeling of being frozen

• Stuttering

• A desire to run away/escape

As an adult, even minor events can retrigger old feelings of helplessness.

What type of events can retrigger you?