Checklist to identify the impacts of harmful religion

Recovering from religious indoctrination can be very challenging.  Understandably, if your religious worldview held all the answers for your identity, purpose, the future, and the world, your very sense of reality will be greatly shaken.  People often experience emotional difficulties until they rebuild their lives.  Getting information and support from others is very important.   The following checklist can help you identify the issues that apply to you.

• Confusion
• Anxiety or fear
• Lack of clear identity and personal values
• Negative sense of self
• Emptiness, as if you have no core
• Negative image of your body and discomfort with sexuality
• Lack of meaning or purpose in life
• Anger and bitterness
• Loneliness
• Loss and grief
• Depression
• Persistent guilt
• Difficulty enjoying daily pleasures
• Unreasonably high expectations, perfectionism
• Trouble appreciating people
• Difficulty with self-responsibility
• Lack of deep self-love and skills for self-care
• Trouble thinking for yourself
• Difficulty feeling and expressing emotion
• External focus for satisfaction