60 International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 8, 2017
The Unique Characteristics of Postcult Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and
Suggested Therapeutic Approaches
Dennis Patrick Healy
counselor and psychotherapist in private practice
Abstract
In this paper, I assert that postcult post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a unique
form of Complex PTSD. With this knowledge,
and incorporating understandings in
neuroscience, I make recommendations about
appropriate therapeutic interventions. I present
the characteristic symptoms of Complex PTSD
as described by Herman (1997), such as
hyperarousal, intrusion, and constriction, and I
describe in detail the unique features of cult-
induced PTSD. I also consider the effects of
superstition and the association with a God or
the truth in the cultic context. This discussion
leads to the conclusion that postcult PTSD is a
unique form of Complex PTSD. Alongside this
content are developments in neuroscience that
have identified different forms of memory
(implicit and explicit memory) located in
separate centers of the human brain. Against
this neuroscience knowledge, I discuss the
commonly occurring and highly distressing
experience of triggers, a form of implicit
memory frequently reported by victims of
trauma, including former cult members, and
observed by therapists working with these
victims. I then discuss the implications for
therapy of the considerations of a unique form of
PTSD and neuroscience knowledge.
Prevalence of PTSD in Former Cult
Members
At the outset, it is important to state that
multiple studies have concluded that the
prevalence of PTSD is greater for former cult
members than for any other specific population.
Rosen (2014), citing Kessler et al. (2005), lists
the results of the National Comorbidity Survey
Replication (NCS-R), which found “that the
lifetime prevalence of PTSD among adult
Americans is 6.8%” (p. 14). The survey also
found the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among
men to be 3.6% and among women, 9.7%
(p. 14). Further, citing Hoge et al. (2004) and
Thomas et al. (2010), Rosen noted that,
considering a more high-risk population—
postdeployment military personnel—the
prevalence of PTSD ranged between 10% and
25% (p. 14). In citing Almendros (2006) and
Carrobles, Almendros, Rodríguez-Carballeira, &
Gámez-Guadix (2010), Rosen (2014) has
highlighted the much higher percentages of
PTSD for former cult members and has reported
results of research on former cult members that
show rates of PTSD in a sample of former
members in Spain at 27.9% (males) to 43.6%
(females) (p. 14). In the United States, a study
listed PTSD in former members at 61.4% for
males and 71.3% for females (p. 14).
Herman’s Definition of Complex PTSD
Symptoms
Herman (1997) defined three distinct symptoms
of Complex PTSD: hyperarousal, intrusion, and
constriction. I describe each symptom in more
detail in the sections that follow. It is important
to highlight that each of these symptoms
incorporates symptoms that are both psychologic
(relating to the mind or mental phenomena) and
somatoform (physical symptoms without
physical cause).
Postcult Complex PTSD
Finally, the data regarding PTSD in former cult
members, together with Herman’s work
regarding Complex PTSD symptoms, and the
relevance of superstition and the cultic approach
to God and truth, which I discuss further in the
following pages, support Whitsett’s (2010)
assertion that a specific form of Complex PTSD,
postcult Complex PTSD, is a direct result of
members’ experiences in cults. In the context of
this larger discussion, it is important to
understand that cult members are often kept in
The Unique Characteristics of Postcult Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and
Suggested Therapeutic Approaches
Dennis Patrick Healy
counselor and psychotherapist in private practice
Abstract
In this paper, I assert that postcult post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a unique
form of Complex PTSD. With this knowledge,
and incorporating understandings in
neuroscience, I make recommendations about
appropriate therapeutic interventions. I present
the characteristic symptoms of Complex PTSD
as described by Herman (1997), such as
hyperarousal, intrusion, and constriction, and I
describe in detail the unique features of cult-
induced PTSD. I also consider the effects of
superstition and the association with a God or
the truth in the cultic context. This discussion
leads to the conclusion that postcult PTSD is a
unique form of Complex PTSD. Alongside this
content are developments in neuroscience that
have identified different forms of memory
(implicit and explicit memory) located in
separate centers of the human brain. Against
this neuroscience knowledge, I discuss the
commonly occurring and highly distressing
experience of triggers, a form of implicit
memory frequently reported by victims of
trauma, including former cult members, and
observed by therapists working with these
victims. I then discuss the implications for
therapy of the considerations of a unique form of
PTSD and neuroscience knowledge.
Prevalence of PTSD in Former Cult
Members
At the outset, it is important to state that
multiple studies have concluded that the
prevalence of PTSD is greater for former cult
members than for any other specific population.
Rosen (2014), citing Kessler et al. (2005), lists
the results of the National Comorbidity Survey
Replication (NCS-R), which found “that the
lifetime prevalence of PTSD among adult
Americans is 6.8%” (p. 14). The survey also
found the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among
men to be 3.6% and among women, 9.7%
(p. 14). Further, citing Hoge et al. (2004) and
Thomas et al. (2010), Rosen noted that,
considering a more high-risk population—
postdeployment military personnel—the
prevalence of PTSD ranged between 10% and
25% (p. 14). In citing Almendros (2006) and
Carrobles, Almendros, Rodríguez-Carballeira, &
Gámez-Guadix (2010), Rosen (2014) has
highlighted the much higher percentages of
PTSD for former cult members and has reported
results of research on former cult members that
show rates of PTSD in a sample of former
members in Spain at 27.9% (males) to 43.6%
(females) (p. 14). In the United States, a study
listed PTSD in former members at 61.4% for
males and 71.3% for females (p. 14).
Herman’s Definition of Complex PTSD
Symptoms
Herman (1997) defined three distinct symptoms
of Complex PTSD: hyperarousal, intrusion, and
constriction. I describe each symptom in more
detail in the sections that follow. It is important
to highlight that each of these symptoms
incorporates symptoms that are both psychologic
(relating to the mind or mental phenomena) and
somatoform (physical symptoms without
physical cause).
Postcult Complex PTSD
Finally, the data regarding PTSD in former cult
members, together with Herman’s work
regarding Complex PTSD symptoms, and the
relevance of superstition and the cultic approach
to God and truth, which I discuss further in the
following pages, support Whitsett’s (2010)
assertion that a specific form of Complex PTSD,
postcult Complex PTSD, is a direct result of
members’ experiences in cults. In the context of
this larger discussion, it is important to
understand that cult members are often kept in
