Having a panic attack over being gay and religious

You have no obligation to allow yourself to get beat up by anti-lgbt theology, and you have no obligation to add layers of church trauma that could very easily give you a case of PTSD. In severe cases, these physical symptoms may escalate into full-blown panic attacks, which can be particularly distressing and disruptive to daily life. A specific subset of gay anxiety that deserves attention is HOCD, or Homosexual Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Studies have found that sexual minorities, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, are at a higher risk of experiencing panic attacks and panic disorder. Religious trauma and spiritual abuse often arise when harmful religious beliefs or practices inflict deep emotional wounds. It can manifest through feelings of guilt, shame, fear, or confusion, usually leaving individuals struggling with their sense of self and purpose.

People with sexual obsessions are particularly likely to have co-occurring aggressive and religious obsessions, clinical depression, and higher rates of impulse control disorders (Grant et al.

Organized Religion's Affect On Mental Health

ERP is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps people gradually face their fears without engaging in compulsions. My religion taught me that was what I deserved. He said the obsession is "absolutely common in the OCD world. RTS manifests in most people who have suffered religious abuse or have been exposed to dysfunctional beliefs due to their religious affiliation.

It's toxic and I'm unlearning a lot of it. Recovering from religious trauma and spiritual abuse is a deeply personal journey.

In this case, you may be asked to make plans with your friend. When members of a congregation experience a loss of sense of autonomy, shame associated with their emotions, and a constant fear of punishment from a religious leader, parent, guardian, or even the divine itself, religion turns into a source of trauma and mental disorders.

Texas flooding updates: Over dead as flash flood threat increases in Texas. These teachings caused me to be abused and think it was my fault for not forgiving and being accepting. Furthermore, religious beliefs founded on emotional and physical abuse may continue to impact lives for a long time after the individuals have found the strength to release themselves from the yoke of damaging spiritual beliefs and traumatic religious experiences.

As Dr. Recommended Articles. I am proud of the fact that I have become an independent and self-sufficient woman. Toxic indoctrination can be overcome with the help of mental health professionals, but it requires work and the belief that while the road ahead is long, you have the tools you need to conquer all obstacles. I am non-binary, but I was assigned female at birth. The contradictory emotions brought on by religious trauma are often experienced by members of the LGBTQ community.

I was specifically told I was not allowed to fight back because Jesus didn't want me to. Reach out today. This major step marks the beginning of their new life outside a controlling environment or religious figure and opens the door to freedom, but also to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. While people suffering from RTS may feel relieved and hopeful to be free of the religious dogma, they may continue to feel ostracized by the community they left behind and experience a constant fear of being punished by the superior being they used to worship.

Even though they know that they are percent straight, not gay, they second guess it. He agreed with Brodsky that some therapists may miss an OCD diagnosis, but "the most likely cause of that is not that they are too gay-affirming but that they lack training in recognizing the symptoms of OCD. When I was 19 I developed asthma.

What is my sexuality? I still really struggle to be connected with my body and am working really hard in therapy to trust myself. It will give you access to the necessary tools to learn to internalize love, detach yourself from dogma, overcome mental illness, and find a new path towards emotional, mental, and spiritual balance.

Typical obsessions include concerns about germs, harm or forbidden sexual or religious thoughts. With ERP, you learn to let go of the endless analysis and move forward with confidence. Others find different faith communities that cherish their individuality and refrain from judging or using fear and shame as weapons. It has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.