Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is recognized in psychology and psychotherapy as a set of symptoms, ranging in severity, experienced by those who have participated in and left behind authoritarian, dogmatic, and controlling religious groups and belief systems. Symptoms include cognitive, affective, functional, and social/cultural issues as well as developmental delays. The term Religious Trauma Syndrome was coined in 2011 by psychologist Dr. Marlene Winell in an article for British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, though the phenomenon was recognized long before that. The term has circulated among psychotherapists, former fundamentalists, and others recovering from religious indoctrination Winell explains the need for a label and the benefits of naming the symptoms encompassed by RTS as similar to naming anorexia as a disorder: the label can lessen shame and isolation for survivors while promoting diagnosis, treatment, and training for professionals who work with those suffering from the condition.Herman, Judith. Trauma and Recovery, Basic Books, 1997, p. 157. Survivors report relief when they find out that RTS is “real.” Symptoms of RTS As symptoms of Religious Trauma Syndrome , psychologists have recognized dysfunctions that vary in number and severity from person to person. Religious Harm and Trauma The psychological harm that can be caused by authoritarian religion has been addressed by authors prior to the naming of Religious Trauma Syndrome . These writings have included work by psychologists and therapists (Tarico, Ray, Winell, Kramer & Alstad, Hassan, Cohen, Watters, Greven, Moyers), and many memoirs from former believers, including former pastors (Babinski, Loftus, Barker, deWitt). The work of cult specialist Stephen Hassan applies to any authoritarian group that applies "undue influence." Journalist Janet Heimlich, in her research on child maltreatment in religious communities, identified the most damaging groups as having a Bible belief system that creates an authoritarian, isolative, threat-based model of reality. Growing Awareness of RTS Discussion about Religious Trauma Syndrome is becoming more widespread in the media, including major, mainstream outlets.2021-06-12 and internet sources of news. Awareness is becoming global, in terms of people seeking help and in the news. Further Research To recognize RTS, it is not necessary to say that all religion and spirituality is harmful. It appears that certain kinds of religion, typically fundamentalist and patriarchal, have both toxic teachings and toxic practices. The damage done is through these mechanisms. Of course any religious group can also have healthy teachings and healthy practices. Rather than deciding whether religion in general is toxic or healthy, a more productive pursuit would be to study the mechanisms that cause damage.   External links Website of the Religious Trauma Institute See also Religious abuse References%DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %%% Submitting for review Religion Religious fundamentalism Category:Barriers to critical thinking  Post-traumatic stress disorder Category:Abnormal psychology Category:Adverse childhood experiences Category:Psychiatric diagnosis Category:Trauma and stressor related disorders Category:Trauma ty
Religious trauma syndrome (RTS) is recognized in psychology and psychotherapy as a set of symptoms, ranging in severity, experienced by those who have participated in and left behind authoritarian, dogmatic, and controlling religious groups and belief systems. Symptoms include cognitive, affective, functional, and social/cultural issues as well as developmental delays. The term religious trauma syndrome was coined in 2011 by psychologist Marlene Winell in an article for British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, though the phenomenon was recognized long before that. The term has circulated among psychotherapists, former fundamentalists, and others recovering from religious indoctrination Winell explains the need for a label and the benefits of naming the symptoms encompassed by RTS as similar to naming anorexia as a disorder: the label can lessen shame and isolation for survivors while promoting diagnosis, treatment, and training for professionals who work with those suffering from the condition.Herman, Judith. Trauma and Recovery, Basic Books, 1997, p. 157. Survivors report relief when they find out that RTS is “real.” Symptoms As symptoms of religious trauma syndrome , psychologists have recognized dysfunctions that vary in number and severity from person to person. Religious harm and trauma The psychological harm that can be caused by authoritarian religion has been addressed by authors prior to the naming of religious trauma syndrome . These writings have included work by psychologists and therapists (Tarico, Ray, Winell, Kramer & Alstad, Hassan, Cohen, Watters, Greven, Moyers), and many memoirs from former believers, including former pastors (Babinski, Loftus, Barker, deWitt). The work of cult specialist Stephen Hassan applies to any authoritarian group that applies "undue influence." Journalist Janet Heimlich, in her research on child maltreatment in religious communities, identified the most damaging groups as having a Bible belief system that creates an authoritarian, isolative, threat-based model of reality. Growing awareness Discussion about religious trauma syndrome is becoming more widespread in the media, including major, mainstream outlets.2021-06-12 and internet sources of news. Awareness is becoming global, in terms of people seeking help and in the news. Further research To recognize RTS, it is not necessary to say that all religion and spirituality is harmful. It appears that certain kinds of religion, typically fundamentalist and patriarchal, have both toxic teachings and toxic practices. The damage done is through these mechanisms. Of course any religious group can also have healthy teachings and healthy practices. Rather than deciding whether religion in general is toxic or healthy, a more productive pursuit would be to study the mechanisms that cause damage. See also Religious abuse References External links Website of the Religious Trauma Institute %DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %%% Category:Religion Category: Religious fundamentalism Category:Barriers to critical thinking Category: Post-traumatic stress disorder Category:Abnormal psychology Category:Adverse childhood experiences Category:Psychiatric diagnosis Category:Trauma and stressor related disorders Category:Trauma ty
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