religious trauma syndrome

 For people who have been caught up in a sect or particularly authoritarian religion, leaving behind the habits of mind inculcated into them in their religious period can be extremely difficult.  It can have lasting consequences, making it difficult for them to develop as adults and have relationships with other people.  It can leave them with habitual anxiety, guilt and a sense of worthlessness.

 When carried to the degree that it has a harmful impact on the life of the sufferer, this is designated religious trauma syndrome.  The term was coined in 2011 by the British psychologist Mariene Winell who explained that the benefit to the patients was that giving their condition a name made it seem more real for them and helped them to deal with it.