Spirituality And Ptsd

[Chondra]

The purpose of this thread is to discuss the interaction of Spirituality and PTSD. Specifically, how does PTSD affect Spirituality? And, how does Spirituality affect the healing/recovery from PTSD?

I separated Faith from Spirituality in order to broaden the scope of this discussion. There already is a very good thread for Christian based faith and PTSD here: [DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/faith-and-ptsd.20514/[/DLMURL]

In doing my research for this post, I found I tested out as a Spiritual Straddler, one foot in traditional religion, one foot in free-form spirituality. This test is at: [DLMURL]http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?surveyID=27[/DLMURL]

But that is just a label. In my life I have survived three major, incapacitating traumas where I felt entirely cutoff from my higher power/spiritual nature. The only way I recovered functionality was through the efforts of other people. I was both helpless and hopeless. These experiences altered my perception of my higher power in ways I am still trying to sort out. One effect is that I am no longer religious. Perhaps the saying is true — "religion is for people who want to avoid hell, spirituality is for those who have already been there." For me, my sense of spirit returned because I was led back out of the darkness. The people who shared my darkness, and guided me back out, are my angels.

Now to my second question. I really want to believe in, and lean into, a higher power. Believing I have a higher power is a choice I made. I tried going it alone and quickly realized that would not work for me. But I still doubt and this doubt may be hindering my recovery. Studies indicate that faith and spirituality have an affect in healing from trauma. Here are just a few examples:
My Combat PTSD

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Edit: added the following PDF Document link
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Since I have difficulty reading, and writing, walls of text, I am stopping here. I appreciate any feedback, insights, comments, or experiences you care to share.


Edit: The reason for this edit is to provide clarification regarding the definition of Spirituality.

For the purpose of this thread, I am using the WIKI definition as follows:

Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality;[1] an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the "deepest values and meanings by which people live." …Spirituality is often experienced as a source of inspiration or orientation in life.[4] It can encompass belief in immaterial realities or experiences of the immanent or transcendent nature of the world.

 

[Beverly G.]

I have experienced things I cannot even face just yet. I am uncertain about how these things could have happened to me. I don't know why I seem to be unable to make wise decisions. There is however, one thing I know for sure, every time I faced a new horror my God was with me. I have faced the end of my life more than once and My Lord was always been there waiting.

 

[Chondra]

Hi Beverly
PTSD has greatly increased my fear of death and I think that is tripping me up understanding this:

I have experienced things I cannot even face just yet. ... I have faced the end of my life more than once and My Lord was always been there waiting.

Could you clarify please?

Each time I experienced my major traumas, my God image was shattered along with many other assumptions about my existence. I have not gotten to the step of re-assembling my assumptions etc. My hope is that posts like yours will help me with this step.

 

[Red Feather]

I have a lot to say about this subject, but as it triggers me and as I have very little concentration at the moment, I can't really say or write anything. What I find good is that I can talk to my new therapist about these things, which is a new situation for me. I did not feel I could talk to my other therapist about it. Now with time, I hope to find healing and a suitable trauma therapy, so I can share more.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I hope I don't get off topic. I hope I understand your thread correctly.

I do believe in God. But I am not religious at all ( I have grown to be to liberal) but I used to be. When I around religious people, I feel like I am surrounded but close minded, annoying people ( no disrespect to those who are religious. This is me overgeneralizing).

So, with that in mind, I tend to be drawn towards spirituality. It is more comfortable. I feel more at peace this way. I have had what my T calls "mystical experiences" when I have been manic. And experiencing that it is hard not to believe in God and spirituality.

I understand your conflict though. And I wish I had more to say about it. Its a heavy topic and one to think about.

 

[Chondra]

I have a lot to say about this subject, but as it triggers me and as I have very little concentration at the moment, I can't really say or write anything.

No worries Nadia. Take care of yourself first! I admit, this topic triggers me a bit too. It is a dicey subject at best, probably better left alone :eek:

Now with time, I hope to find healing and a suitable trauma therapy, so I can share more.

Hmm, I might have found a more gentle, easily accessible document on this topic. I have not posted it yet as I am only 1/3 of the way through. It is slow going as I have concentration issues too. If you are interested, send me a PM, or just wait as I suspect I will post it here eventually.

@Ayesha Thanks for posting. I too have had a couple of "experiences" that are way too powerful for me to ignore. It is the reason why I am not agnostic. And your comment is not off topic. PTSD complicates our belief system. I hope this thread helps us to sort things out a bit.

 

[TeddySue]

I have experienced things I cannot even face just yet. I am uncertain about how these things could have happened to me.

I believe God only gives us what we can handle, in a progression that helps strengthen us. I, too, would state over and over each day, WHY??? And when I got to a place where I backed off and accepted that they DID happen, I was able to make baby-steps forward, cautiously and with great hesitation. God does not reprimand me for how long it is taking to heal, He just walks each step with me.

I don't know why I seem to be unable to make wise decisions.

I feel that since I was a child I had to make my own decisions because no one else cared enough to help me; now I am panicked whenever I am faced with a decision of any kind. I can't even tell my hairdresser how I want my hair to look.

There is however, one thing I know for sure, every time I faced a new horror my God was with me. I have faced the end of my life more than once and My Lord was always been there waiting.

Right beside us, guiding us all the way; we just need to acknowledge His presence more, reminding ourselves that He is in control and only wants what is best for us. I have faced death twice in the past 5 months and decided I would be calm because I had no control; God had it all. And out of those death-facings, I found peace. To live is okay, and to die is okay since I know where my eternal home will be.

 

[Meadowsweet]

I believe in spiritual energy. It's perhaps the most unchanging and significant feeling that I have.

With regard to trauma, it's that feeling that has been my constant when everything else is in turmoil.

But it is a very very private part of me. I have tried to share spiritual interests with others and found it to be extremely dangerous. So that little feeling inside me is just for me now.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

So, with that in mind, I tend to be drawn towards spirituality.

Realized this could be misread. I mean that I am drawn towards being more spiritual then religious.

 

[TeddySue]

Realized this could be misread. I mean that I am drawn towards being more spiritual then religious.

The details of what we believe (religion) are very personal; doctrine is of choice. I would be interested to know what others definition of spirituality includes.

I feel that spirituality, as intended within this thread, speaks of self as the center and finding who you are and what you want to be. I feel that without God, spirituality becomes too self-focused. I need the blending of what I believe about God, and who I am because of Him; therefore what I want to be is influenced by the positive role God plays in my life.

Getting past the trauma is my journey toward God.

 

[Chondra]

OK, I just edited the initial post to include the definition for spirituality. I tried to be as inclusive as possible.

@ Meadowsweet Thanks for posting what you could AND for protecting yourself too. Knowing and honoring our boundaries is really important with PTSD.

Brief update: From what I have been reading, any level of spirituality can be a huge help in healing PTSD. But, it can also trip us up, especially in the early stages of recovery. Apparently, PTSD often results in a breaking down and subsequent restructuring of our spiritual beliefs. This can be tricky ground to navigate.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Hi-I am spiritual and not religous. I do not go to a church. But I believe in higher power, I have been through alot of traumas and my faith has helped me to survive. It has been quite the journey with its ugliness and beauty.

I have been badly burned by people, but not by my higher power. It is a work in progress. I have grown alot. I have matured alot. I have come such a long way. But my faith has helped me to survive it all.

I am a private person and do not talk about this much anymore. I encourage you in your search for spirituality and a higher power. It does help with the ptsd. I believe in the power of prayer. I have seen much good come out of it for me and for others.

People turned me off to religon. Like I said I was badly burned by religous people. But out of my darkness my higher power revealed himself to me. I use the masculine because I am comfortable with that. It could be a her too. It is spirit. I sure hope this made sense to you and was what you were looking for. I try to be delicate, it is a touchy subject and I do not want to trigger anyone here. Hope it helped.