Religious Trauma and Delayed Emotional Development
Why can’t I trust with my feelings after leaving my cult?
One of the most challenging effects of religious trauma is how it teaches individuals to distrust their own emotions. Research has shown that early-life trauma can disrupt development, as neglect, maltreatment, or abuse in childhood or adolescence can interfere with brain growth. Religious trauma, like other forms of trauma, can lead to delays in emotional, relational, and sexual development.
A common belief in many high-control Christian environments is Cartesian dualism, the idea that the mind and body are separate. This perspective often portrays the body and its desires as sinful, while elevating the spirit or intellect as pure. Unfortunately, this teaching discourages people from trusting their emotions, which psychology tells us are deeply connected to bodily experiences.
Signs of Delayed Emotional Development Due to Religious Trauma
Difficulty Connecting with Your Internal World
If you were raised to believe that every thought came either from God or the devil, your inner world may have felt like a battleground rather than a safe space. In some cases, this fear can lead to dissociation, where emotions and physical sensations are suppressed as a survival mechanism. While this may provide temporary relief, it can also create long-term disconnection from one’s own feelings and identity.Struggling to Trust Your Intuition
Intuition is the inner sense of knowing what feels right, often described as a "gut feeling" because it is experienced physically. However, religious teachings that label human instincts as untrustworthy or sinful can cause individuals to ignore their own inner wisdom. Instead, they may feel the need to rely on external sources like religious authorities or sacred texts for guidance, even in personal or private matters. A key part of healing from religious trauma is rebuilding trust in your own judgment and decision-making ability.Difficulty Making Decisions That Feel Right
When intuition is suppressed, decision-making can become overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. People who have been taught that their emotions are unreliable may constantly second-guess themselves, fearing that any misstep could lead to moral failure or spiritual consequences. Psychological research indicates that emotions are a key motivator in decision-making, so when religious trauma undermines emotional trust, individuals may find themselves stuck in a cycle of indecision and self-doubt.
Healing from religious trauma involves reconnecting with emotions, learning to trust one’s inner guidance, and reclaiming a sense of personal agency. Therapy can provide a safe space for individuals to process these experiences and develop a healthier relationship with their emotions and instincts.
Reclaim your Emotions through Religious Trauma Recovery
If you want to start your healing journey to reconnect with your internal experiences, reclaim your ability to trust your intuition, and feel empowered to make decisions based on your gut, there are several next steps you can consider. You are welcome to schedule a phone consultation with me to discuss your symptoms and begin your therapy journey. You can also read through my other psychoeducational blog posts on how fundamentalist religious trauma affect your sexual development and relationships with others.
This post was inspired by my original blog post for Woven Together Trauma Therapy.
