Spirituality and religion can provide a deep sense of meaning and peace to many people, helping individuals feel a strong sense of meaning and connection in life. However, religion or spirituality used unethically can also contribute to significant negative impacts in those who have been subject to abusive and harmful teachings or practices.

Many who experience spiritual abuse might not know it.

It's important to understand that not everyone who experiences spiritual abuse knows it. Many people who are abused don't realize that what is happening to them is abuse, and some may even believe that their abuser is doing them a favor. One way religious abuse can be hidden is by referring to the abuser as "the Lord's servant" or "one of God's anointed." This puts a religious spin on what would otherwise be considered abusive behavior and makes it difficult for victims to recognize when they're in a toxic situation.

Some people may also experience religious trauma without actually being abused by someone else; they might have been taught false things about themselves, others, or the world around them by leaders within their religion who were trying too hard to control their followers' behavior instead of freeing them up so they can find joy in living as humans intended (with free thought).

Religious trauma can lead to substance use and mental health issues.

Religious trauma can lead to substance use and mental health issues. This is because the trauma causes a person to feel disconnected from their true self, which leads to feelings of shame and guilt. These people often seek out ways to escape the pain they feel by abusing drugs or alcohol, or by developing compulsive behaviors such as gambling or sex addiction. These behaviors are a way of trying to find relief from these negative emotions, but unfortunately they only serve to exacerbate them in the long run.

The way religious figures treat LGBTQ people can be a form of spiritual abuse.

Even if you don’t consider yourself to be religious, you can still be affected by the ways that people treat LGBTQ people in religious communities. The way that some leaders (and even teachers) behave toward gay and lesbian kids is a form of spiritual abuse.

In many religious communities, LGBTQ people are treated as second-class citizens. Not only does this lead to feelings of isolation, but it also keeps people from being able to feel comfortable enough around their friends or family members to come out. In fact, many conservative Christian churches believe that God hates homosexuality so much that those who identify as LGBTQ should be punished with eternal damnation after they die. This kind of thinking creates a harmful environment where youth are told to be ashamed, or even afraid, of their sexuality.

These harmful messages have serious consequences: LGBTQ youth are almost five times more likely than heterosexual youth to attempt suicide and seven times more likely than heterosexual youth to use drugs. Many transgender teens experience depression and have an above average rate of attempted suicide in their youth.

Spiritual abuse sometimes manifests as sexual abuse.

Spiritual abuse can also be a form of sexual abuse. According to a report from the American Humane Association, "Emotional and spiritual abuse are often linked to physical and sexual abuse." In fact, they may be precursors: "The use of fear, guilt and intimidation to manipulate an individual's behavior" is often part of the grooming process that leads up to the physical or sexual assault itself.

Frequently survivors of spiritual abuse also experience physical, emotional, and/or financial abuse by their religious leaders. This may come in the form of telling the congregation that God will be upset with them if they do not "tithe" or that they are "worthless" or "unfaithful" if they do not devote all of their time to church events.

Survivors of spiritual abuse suffer in many ways.

The impact of religious trauma is diverse and far-reaching, affecting survivors in many ways. Survivors may experience depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms like flashbacks or nightmares. They may suffer from chronic physical ailments such as headaches, stomach problems or intestinal distress. Some also struggle with substance abuse issues or eating disorders as a result of their experiences in an abusive environment.

Survivors may find themselves struggling with trust issues long after they leave their church or cultic group.

In addition to the emotional toll spiritual abuse takes on its victims, there are many other consequences that can negatively affect both survivors' quality of life and their ability to trust their own judgment and worthiness.

Help is available if you're experiencing religious trauma

If you are experiencing religious trauma, it is important that you seek help from a mental health professional who understands spiritual abuse and religious trauma. Your therapist should be able to guide you to other resources as well.

• A good therapist is not only knowledgeable about the impact of religious trauma but also has experience working with LGBTQ people.

• A good therapist will help guide you toward support groups in your area, or even start one up with you if they don't already exist.

The more we talk about religious trauma, the more people will understand it. Religious trauma is real and it’s hurting many people, but there are ways to heal from this abuse. If you’re struggling with spiritual abuse or feel like something just isn’t right in your faith community, know that the therapists at All of You Therapy and elsewhere are available to help you sort out your experiences and come to your own conclusions.