Childhood Religious Trauma

Trauma in childhood caused by fear, shame, punishment, or rejection tied to religion

• You felt terrified as a child after being told you would go to hell for a mistake.

• You shut down emotionally because every time you questioned something, you were shamed or scolded.

Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)

• Trust in caregivers or authority figures may be impaired.

• Hypervigilance may develop in adulthood, especially in relationships or spiritual settings.

• Persistent fear of being inherently “bad” or unworthy may affect self-concept.