psychology, Religion
by tenpel

Cultic Experiences: The Untold Consequences and How to Find Healing

Foto von Anthony Tran auf Unsplash

Guest Post By Nina Drew

Around 0.5-3% of people (between 1.65 million to 6.6 million individuals) are involved in a cult at some point in their life and those that finally break free often have consequences that they—or nobody imagined. Just one of these consequences is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). According to one study, while the prevalence of PTSD among veterans ranges from 10-25%, this figure rises to 61.4% for males and 71.3% for females who have been involved in a cult. In this post, we will reveal the tactics used by cults to maintain coercive control and why they have such devastating long-term effects on former members. We will also discuss the ways in which people involved in cults can heal and find meaning beyond their trauma.

Characteristics of Cults

Not all closely-knit groups are cults. The latter have specific characteristics in common, including members devoting the majority of their time to the cult, a belief that the leader has a special gift, emphasis on loyalty to the leader or group, alienation of members from the outside world, the harming of members, daily (or close to it) interaction among members, and a belief that those outside the cult are inferior. Members are subjected to coercive control—an abusive power dynamic that is kept in place by multiple tactics that deprive members of their autonomy and freedom. These tactics often include isolation, intimidation, micromanagement, degradation, deprivation, sexual abuse, and surveillance. In some cases, physical abuse may be present, but it is not necessary to maintain harmful control. The leaders use implied threats to instill fear in members, and the result may be the formation of trauma bonds, in which the members feel bound to their abusers or paralyzed in their situation. Leaders may also use gaslighting tactics so that members question their own reality.

The After-Effects of Cult Involvement

As mentioned above, those who free themselves from cults may develop PTSD. They also display symptoms like depression and suicidal ideation, feelings of loneliness and loss, guilt, anger, anxiety and panic attacks, nightmares, and dissociative feelings (some feel like they are floating). They may also have strained relationships with family and friends.

Tackling the Health Effects of Cultism

It is vital for those who have broken free of cult membership to receive therapy as a means of tackling their PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other issues. Just a few gold-standard treatments for PTSD include Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Restructuring (EDMR). Patients may also find relief from psychotherapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which will help them deal with difficult thoughts and emotions and reframe them into more positive ones based on evidence.

Reducing Pain

Cult members who have been abused may also have chronic pain and tension in their bodies. To tackle this problem effectively, members should receive medical treatment if necessary, followed by rehabilitation. Those who experience pain at work owing to their past experiences can take various steps to transform their workplaces into pain-free zones. This can be achieved by embracing ergonomic furniture, receiving pain-centered treatment (for instance, from a chiropractor), and opting for remedial massage. The latter involves receiving a neck, shoulder, and upper back massage while seated in a chair—a treatment that is offered to employees at some forward-thinking companies.

Managing Physical and Mental Trauma from a Holistic Perspective

Holistic approaches such as Reiki, acupuncture, yoga, and mindfulness meditation can also help rid the body of the tension and stress that results in pain. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, for instance, found that among 313 people with chronic lower back pain, one weekly yoga class boosted mobility more than standard care for this condition. Yoga has also been found to improve neck pain, decrease headache intensity, and more symptoms that can arise when the body is holding onto trauma and stress.

Former cult members who break free have taken the first step of a long journey. They may also have a host of physical and mental health issues from years of abuse and coercion. Therapy is a good first step to breaking free from pain, anxiety, and depression. There are many proven therapies that can tackle these conditions, as well as PTSD from traumatic experiences within a cult.

© Image by Anthony Tran at Unsplash

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