The Healing Canvas: Navigating Religious Trauma

Religion has been a powerful force in human life for centuries, offering hope, purpose, community, and structure. For many, religious beliefs are a source of comfort, guiding personal values and decisions. However, for some, the religious environments they grew up in or continue to engage with can become a source of distress and trauma. This complex experience, often referred to as religious trauma, can significantly impact a person’s mental health, self-esteem, and sense of self.

Religious trauma doesn’t refer to the faith itself but to the negative experiences individuals may have had within religious structures, beliefs, or communities. It can stem from being exposed to rigid doctrines, oppressive interpretations, or even abuse under the guise of religious authority. For neurodivergent individuals and those with disabilities, navigating religious trauma can be even more complex.

What is Religious Trauma?

Religious trauma is often rooted in emotional or psychological harm caused by religious experiences. This can include fear-based teachings about sin and punishment, the suppression of individuality or critical thinking, or the use of shame to control behavior. When someone is told that certain thoughts, feelings, or even their very identity are sinful or wrong, this can create profound internal conflict.

Studies have shown that religious trauma often mirrors the effects of other forms of trauma, such as emotional abuse or neglect. Symptoms may include:

• Anxiety or fear when thinking about religious topics or attending religious spaces

• Feelings of guilt or shame that are difficult to shake, even when no wrongdoing has occurred

• Difficulty trusting oneself or others, especially authority figures

• Difficulty setting personal boundaries due to learned submission to religious leaders or doctrines

• Identity confusion, especially around personal beliefs, values, or sense of worth

In extreme cases, religious trauma can contribute to complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), a condition marked by emotional dysregulation, difficulty forming relationships, and a persistent feeling of danger or being trapped.

The Intersection of Neurodiversity and Religious Trauma

For neurodivergent individuals—those who are autistic, have ADHD, or experience other forms of cognitive diversity—religious trauma can be especially challenging. Neurodivergent individuals often experience the world differently, with heightened sensitivity to social pressures and a unique way of processing information. In religious environments that emphasize conformity or rigid rules, these differences can be misunderstood or punished, further alienating the individual.

For example, a person with ADHD might struggle to focus during long services or religious rituals. If this is interpreted as disrespect or lack of devotion, the person may internalize these messages as personal failure, leading to long-lasting impacts on self-esteem. Autistic individuals, who may struggle with social nuances or have difficulty adhering to unspoken rules, might also feel out of place in religious environments that don’t accommodate diverse ways of thinking or being.

Research indicates that neurodivergent individuals often have higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to neurotypical individuals . When compounded with religious trauma, the effects can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of being "broken" or "unworthy," especially when religious teachings emphasize ideals that are difficult for neurodivergent individuals to meet.

The Role of Ableism in Religious Spaces

In addition to neurodiversity, individuals with physical disabilities may face ableism—discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities—within religious communities. Some religious teachings suggest that suffering, including disability, is a form of divine punishment or a test of faith. These beliefs can contribute to shame, isolation, or the feeling that one’s disability makes them "less than" in the eyes of a higher power or their community.

Furthermore, physical spaces of worship are not always designed to be accessible. Individuals with mobility issues, chronic pain, or sensory sensitivities may find it difficult to participate in religious ceremonies or communal gatherings. This exclusion can lead to feelings of alienation, reinforcing the harmful message that they do not belong or are not valued within their faith communities.

How Religious Trauma Affects Self-Esteem

Religious trauma can deeply affect a person’s self-esteem. When someone is taught that they are inherently sinful or flawed, or that they must follow strict rules to earn love or acceptance from a higher power, this can create an unstable sense of self. Over time, individuals may develop a belief that they are not worthy of love, happiness, or success unless they adhere to certain external standards.

For people who are neurodivergent or have disabilities, this experience can be even more painful. Many neurodivergent individuals grow up feeling "different" from their peers, and religious environments that emphasize uniformity can exacerbate this feeling. Instead of finding acceptance and understanding, they may face additional pressure to conform to standards that feel impossible to meet. This can lead to internalized ableism, where individuals come to view their own differences as flaws or burdens.

Healing from Religious Trauma

Healing from religious trauma requires a compassionate and supportive approach, one that acknowledges the depth of pain and confusion many people carry. Therapy can provide a safe space for individuals to process their experiences, identify harmful beliefs, and rebuild their sense of self-worth. For those who have experienced religious trauma, it is crucial to validate their feelings and recognize the long-term effects of these experiences.

At Artist Eye Counseling, we offer a space where people can explore these issues in a non-judgmental, supportive environment. We believe that every person has the right to define their own sense of spirituality, free from fear, shame, or guilt. Through creative therapies, mindfulness, and person-centered counseling, we help individuals navigate the complexity of religious trauma and reclaim their identity.

Moving Forward

If you or someone you know is struggling with religious trauma, know that healing is possible. It is okay to question beliefs that have harmed you or to redefine your relationship with spirituality on your own terms. Everyone deserves to feel whole and accepted, just as they are. At Artist Eye Counseling, we are here to support you on this journey.

Sources:

• HuffPost – Why You Need to Know About Religious Trauma Syndrome.

• Psychology Today – Religious Trauma Syndrome: It’s Time to Talk About It.

• Frontiers in Psychology – Neurodiversity and Mental Health: The Impact of Social Exclusion on Mental Health Outcomes for Autistic People.