Dealing With PTSD
The survivor with PTSD may struggle with hypervigilance , or feeling that they are constantly on the lookout for danger. They may feel unsafe, and their body will react to loud noises with and outpour of adrenaline (causing panic and sweating). And some survivors of RA have been known to reflexively tackle or hit anyone who walks up suddenly from behind, as a protective mechanism.
With avoidance, the survivor will try to avoid remembering the trauma, and may feel that they are in danger if they do begin to remember. This will often be reinforced by cult programming for the ritual abuse survivor. The survivor may avoid triggers either consciously or unconsciously. They may avoid family members who were involved in their abuse, or any activities that remind them of their trauma. Some survivors become completely numb, or “shut down” to avoid feeling or thinking about their painful history.
The problem with avoidance is that in the long run, it doesn’t work well, and the person will continue to experience symptoms related to their trauma if they are not dealt with.
Other symptoms often occur along with PTSD as a consequence of the hypervigilance, re-experiencing, and avoidance. Frequently, loneliness (feeling “different” or “marked”) and a lack of trust in others because of the betrayal and severe abuse results in poor relationships with others and the survivor can become isolated. Deep bitterness due to the loss of innocence and faith (and feeling cut off from God) is also very common and is reinforced by cult programming to ensure that the survivor believes that God has abandoned them. . They may also feel deep anger or rage towards others and turn on family members, spouses, and others, causing personal relationships to deteriorate.
The survivor may also experience extreme guilt and shame, and wonder why they survived when others didn’t (survivor guilt), or because of shame at the abuse that they experienced. Children will often blame themselves if they are abused, and when they grow up, fear reaching out for help for this reason. In fact, many survivors are reluctant to ask for help, even when they are in crisis, and must be taught this skill in therapy.
Because PTSD symptoms can last for years and years, especially with chronic abuse such as ritual abuse, the person may struggle with the fear that they will never get better, or that they are “hopelessly damaged.”
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