Cult Survivor

A person who has exited a high-control group or religious system characterized by coercion, fear, and identity regulation.

• You doubt your own judgment long after leaving.

• You experience fear, grief, or anger without clear triggers.

• You struggle to explain your experience to others who don’t understand control dynamics.

Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)

• Exiting a high-control group can affect trust, identity, and one’s sense of reality.

• Confusion, grief, anger, or fear after leaving are common and understandable responses.

• Recovery is about healing from control, not about weakness or failure.