Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is a term used to describe the emotional and psychological impact that can come from painful or damaging religious experiences. While it’s not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5, more and more people are recognizing just how real and serious this kind of trauma can be.

RTS often shows up in people who have left high-control or fundamentalist religious groups, survived spiritual abuse, or wrestled with deep feelings of fear, shame, or unworthiness connected to their faith. Many find themselves dealing with symptoms that look and feel a lot like PTSD.

Some common experiences include:

• Feeling anxious, depressed, or emotionally numb • Struggling to make decisions or trust your own thoughts • Negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world • Confusion, self-doubt, or difficulty thinking clearly • Guilt or shame around your identity, relationships, or sexuality • Grieving the loss of your community or belief system • Feeling disconnected, isolated, or like you don’t belong • A deep sense of being lost or not knowing who you are anymore • Nightmares, flashbacks, or emotional overwhelm

For many, these feelings come from environments where questions weren’t allowed, where fear was used to control behavior, or where love was conditional. When you grow up in a system like that, it’s easy to lose your sense of self. You may have been taught to silence your voice, ignore your instincts, or believe you were never good enough on your own.

Religious trauma doesn’t look the same for everyone. Your culture, family, gender, and life story all shape how this pain shows up and how healing begins. But no matter what brought you here, your story matters.

You’re not broken and you’re not alone.

Healing is possible. With the right support, you can unlearn the fear, reconnect with your voice, and create a life that feels authentic and free. You get to define what spirituality, meaning, and self-worth look like for you, on your own terms.

If anything you’ve read here resonates, we’re here to help. Reach out for a free consultation. You don’t have to go through this alone.