I posted this in a thread but perhaps it needs to be on its own so that it doesn't take over the other thread
Most people who have lived in a cult or high control group such as the JWs will experience many of the symptoms of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Trauma and Recovery
by Judith Lewis Herman
Some researchers and therapists have made a distinction between simple PTSD (derived from a one-time or situational trauma) and severe PTSD (derived from "prolonged, repeated trauma" as experienced by survivors of childhood abuse. Herman has defined the expanded concept of PTSD.
1. A history of subjection to totalitarian control over a prolonged period (months to years). Examples include hostages, prisoners of war, concentration camp survivors, and survivors of some religious cults. Examples also include those subjected to totalitarian systems in sexual and domestic life, including survivors of domestic battering, childhood physical abuse, and other organized sexual exploitation.
2. Alterations in affect regulation, including
- persistent dysphoria (inappropriate expression of feelings)
- chronic suicidal preoccupation
- self-injury
- explosive or extremely inhibited anger (may alternate)
- compulsive or extremely inhibited sexuality (may alternate)
- amnesia or hyperamnesia for traumatic events
- transient dissociative epidodes
- depersonalization/derealization
- reliving experiences, either in the form of intrusive post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or in the form of ruminative preoccupation (going over it again and again).
4. Alterations in self-perception, including
- sense of helplessness or paralysis of initiative
- shame, guilt, and self-blame
- sense of defilement or stigma
- sense of complete difference from others (may include sense of specialness, utter aloneness, belief no other person can understand, or nonhuman entity).
5. Alterations in perception of perpetrator, including
- preoccupation with relationship with perpetrator (includes preoccupation with revenge)
- unrealistic attribution of total power to perpetrator (caution: victim?s assessment of power realities may be more realistic than clinician?s)
- idealization or paradoxical gratitude
- sense of special or supernatural relationship
- acceptance of belief system or rationalizations or perpetrator
6. Alterations in relations with others, including
- isolation and withdrawal
- disruption in intimate relationships
- repeated search for rescuer (may alternate with isolation and withdrawal)
- persistent distrust
- repeated failures or self-protection
7. Alterations in systems of meaning
- loss of sustaining faith
- sense of hopelessness and despair
Understanding the impact of our experience can help us to realize what we have been through was traumatic and our reactions are the normal reactions to it.
It can interfere with our daily lives and that would be a good indication that we need to seek out some professional help.
People will also go through stages of reactions, at times handling it better than other times.
For most people the opportunity to debrief, share their experiences and get support is essential to real recovery and the cessation of the CPTSD symptoms. Even when most symptoms have subsided new issues can be triggered that many or may not require professional help.
One warning however. If a person finds that reading the forum too much becomes overwhelming it would be essential to take a break and do something else (develop a new interest or hobby, take a walk, etc.)