[AtreyuFreak]

I feel that I've been posting a lot, but each thing brings up a new issue and each finds new and helpful perspectives.

My problem today is religion. I was just listening to a commercial and it was for this religious music; a lot of the songs were ones I knew from when I used to believe in God. It upset me quite a bit, and I got quite...switchy, for lack of a better word. The problem is that this happens fairly often, basically every time religion is brought up. How can I deal with this? It brings up memories of a really...not so great time in my life.

[Rapunzel]

Maybe it would help if you can identify your feeling and where it is coming from. It sounds like reminders of religion and Christianity are reminding you of a difficult time in your life. That association is based on your experiences. For many people religion brings comfort and peace. I am sorry that you are deprived of that experience due to what happened in your past.

Working through intense feelings isn't easy, but the only way out is through. If you are afraid, facing what you fear diminishes the fear. Acting opposite to emotion give your power back to you instead of allowing the emotion to control you. If it is very hard, it would be a good topic for therapy.

[Elysium]

Atreyu...

I would suggest checking into Grounding and Self Soothing techniques. I think these skills can be helpful for anyone who has high stress/anxiety, dissociation, PTSD, BPD, etc.

I use a lot of grounding when I feel like I am beginning to float away.

Here is a link with some info on grounding/self soothing.

http://ptsd.about.com/od/selfhelp/a/selfsoothe.htm

You can also try a technique that my T and I call the "5x5". This is where you sit quietly and focus on your breathing and you use your 5 senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste. You can also collect things to use during this skill...like candy, or something with flavor/smell.

You first start with sight: look around and say out loud 5 things that you see. (i.e. I see the T.V., it is black, and shiny), then you do the same thing with things you hear, then 5 things you touch/feel (i.e. I feel my shirt touching my back, I feel the cushion beneath me..it is soft, I feel the sand paper, it is rough and grainy). Keep doing this until you go through the 5 senses. If you need to do more, you can start over and do it 4x4, 3x3 and so on. I've found this really helpful myself and you can do it anywhere.

I hope these help you!!

[anderson]

WE had same problem when the body was small. That is why my foster mother and grand mother tought us the shamanic way. It allowed us to find god again with the help of not being put into a past situation that reminded us of pain.God is in all we just have to find a safe way to him so that we may feel his presents. God did not hurt us it was men with dark hearts. May you find your way back to him.

[sabby]

Thank you all for your input on this thread.

Just a gentle reminder: Please keep in mind the guidelines regarding discussion of religion. The OP's post is keeping it to a minimum by expressing how it affects them in the realm of their mental health. Please keep responses within the guidelines as well.

Respectfully,
sabby

[(JD)]

I certainly wouldn't work on this issue without a therapist's help. You need to not listen to that kind of music for a while... and if you become stuck someplace where you don't have a choice, work on coping skills. In CBT there is thought stopping...one of the skills to help not think about things that trigger you.

Try not to become upset about the situation. It may be that it's a trigger associated with religion somehow, but it might not be. It might be an association from another area altogether that somehow became connected.

[multipixie9]

*possible trigger: spiritual/religious abuse*

Some who abused us used religion to cloak their evil and protect them from being caught. We define religion as any man-made system designed to earn God's favor.

I can't live without having a relationship with God. His love saved me and has kept me alive and healing.

I believe "spiritual" or "religious" abuse is just about the worst abuse of all. It steals/corrupts/degrates/defiles people's access to God and their ability to trust Him.

The ones who harmed me did so in physical, emotional, sexual, religious and ritual abuse. Some of those bad people used God's name and lied to say God was in our abuse or He approved it. We are still healing in this area and I can't begin to put into words how damaging it has been to me, how desperately hurt and betrayed I have been.

We step carefully on these forums when we deal with religion; it is necessary. We do not name the God we worship or the system of theology we may believe. So, I do not speak of them. Even so I urge you to continue to get help so that eventually you can sort out what was truth, throw out what was wrong or false and end up with spiritual health and joy.

We feel very sad and angry that you were hurt in such a way that you may actually fear the One who can help and heal the most.

[Hunny]

AtreyuFreak,

I haven't noticed you posting too much, not to take away from your feelings at all. There are soooo many things that come up, we agree.

As far as your topic goes, I too have had some difficulty with religion and as Multi has mentioned, even spiritual concerns but from the sounds of it from opposite end as you. It is only by the relationship I have with God that I have even been able to even start and continue to work on my issues. Trying to address everything can be a challenge but we hope your therapist will help you sort your concerns.

In the meantime please continue to post. It helps us out when you speak out.

.

Originally Posted by AtreyuFreak

I feel that I've been posting a lot, but each thing brings up a new issue and each finds new and helpful perspectives.

My problem today is religion. I was just listening to a commercial and it was for this religious music; a lot of the songs were ones I knew from when I used to believe in God. It upset me quite a bit, and I got quite...switchy, for lack of a better word. The problem is that this happens fairly often, basically every time religion is brought up. How can I deal with this? It brings up memories of a really...not so great time in my life.