How To Help A Friend......cult Abuse?

[OKRADLAK]

Oh dear....I was telling a friend about my PTSD who I thought was so normal. Then she confided in me.

I had no idea that she was in a cult when she was a kid..........there was some awful things that she saw that happened. She was not abused per se, but what she saw would have been terrible for anyone.

She has no idea what PTSD is. I mean, we all know about it, but she thought it was only combat.

....when she heard me talking about mine, she got very interested and asking questions.....she said she might have it.

When she told me what she went through I could not believe it. She was crying and I was trying very hard to help. I mean, I KNOW this person!!! I comforted her as much as I could and I said I would try to help her find a book that might help. I DON"T KNOW ONE for that kind of trauma. She was OK when we parted, but she really is seeking.

I have really encouraged her to try to find a T., which she said she might.

Does anyone know a good book for a woman (or man) who saw terrible things in a cult/ritualistic situation??

My heart hurts for her because she does not even understand why she is having the symptoms she is.

 

[Srain]

I'm not sure what cult/ritualisitic situation she comes from but more and more there are good books coming out. People are speaking out. I'm sorry I'm not more help but having brush up and having dipped slightly into some of that in my early years I empathize. I had a gf that came from that type of background and a boyfriend that was to add to my eagerness to understand various beliefs. What I walked away with was respect for the power of persuasion these groups tend to have among other things.

My thoughts are with her.

peace,
Rain

 

[Tessa]

I lived in a religious comune for a while when I was much younger and I know the brain washing is so hard to break away from. Also it challenges our belief in God and our own ability to comune with Him without their filters.It leaves one with great confusion and betrayal of trust (I suffered a sexual assault from a leader who I trusted when we went somewhere to pray). There are some good books coming out (I was afraid to write about it in mine). Perhaps a search on an online bookstore might help.
Peace to you both.

 

[OKRADLAK]

It was more on the dark side. Not just a cult. It was more like the dark stuff.

If I did not know her, I would not even believe her. BUT I k now that one of the things with PTSD is that people do not believe you. You say XYZ happened and someone will say, "No it did not"

So I am affirming the truth of what she said. But it was more like very dark.

I have read Judith Herman but not in full detail. I may get that book for her. I think she covers almost every kind of abuse. That may help her a lot. Has anyone read it fully?

 

[scott_1971_h]

Yes I've read it, it's a very good book to starrt with. It explains a *LOT* of the trauma symptoms, even some I didn't know I was having.
Scott