62 International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 8, 2017
Intrusion
Generic Complex PTSD intrusion. Herman
(1997, p. 37) depicted intrusion as “long after
the danger is past, traumatized people relive the
event as though it were continually recurring in
the present.” As a result of triggers, which are
“seemingly insignificant reminders” of the
trauma, the traumatic moment instantaneously
bursts into consciousness and the traumatized
persons experience them either as flashbacks
during waking states or as traumatic nightmares
while they are asleep. What is significant about
these flashbacks and nightmares is that, because
they have become encrypted into a specific form
of memory (implicit memory), where they are
stored as graphic images and sensations without
context and verbal narrative, they recur with
“the emotional intensity of the original event,”
(Herman, 1997, p. 42) and with a heightened
reality. The consequence of this for the
traumatized person is one of never feeling safe
because triggers can occur in what are normally
safe environments. (Brett &Ostroff, 1985, pp.
422–423).
Postcult PTSD intrusion. Several aspects
distinguish postcult PTSD intrusion: the nature
of the nightmares, the range of triggers to which
the former cult member is vulnerable, and a
phobic avoidance of triggers.
The nightmares of former cult members are
different. They are distinctly “themes of death,
dying, violence and/or loss, helplessness”
(Whitsett, 2010, p. 3).
Former cult members experience a wide range of
triggers, which reconnect the individuals with
often-abhorrent cult experiences. For example, a
tone of voice, a particular song or chant sung in
the cult, a word or a phrase—in fact, any type of
sight, sound, smell, taste, or sensation, can
trigger former members, who frequently have
many triggers.
Lalich and Tobias (2006) provided an extensive
list of common postcult triggers:
Sensory triggers are probably the most
common. Typical ones are:
• Sights: special colors, flags, pictures of
the leader, facial expressions, hand
signals, group symbols, items used in
group activities rituals, certain buildings
or locations
• Physical sensations: hunger, fatigue,
touches, handshakes, a kiss or caress,
massage
• Sounds: songs, certain music, slogans,
mantras, certain prayers, key words and
phrases, a certain rhythm or tone of
voice, yelling
• Smells: incense, perfume or Cologne of
the leader, certain food aromas, room
odors, body odors
• Tastes: certain foods or liquids, herbs or
spices
In addition, certain emotions, such as
feelings of guilt, fear, and shame, all of
which were encouraged in the cult, may
function as triggers. (Lalich &Tobias, 2006,
p. 121)
Phobic avoidance of triggers. As a result both of
their hyperarousal, including hypervigilance,
and of the vividness and emotional force of the
flashbacks, many former members are
confronted with a double whammy: the trigger
itself, and a panic, a phobic response to the
whole idea of triggers—the fear of the fear
(Whitsett, 2010, p. 3).
Constriction
Generic Complex PTSD constriction. Different
authors use different terms to describe this
phenomenon, and they all claim that it lies at the
heart of trauma disorders: constriction and
numbing (Herman, 1997) floating (Lalich &
Tobias, 2006) dissociation (Lifton, 1989
Martin, Langone, Dole, &Wiltrout, 1992
Singer, 2003) and splitting (Lifton, 1989). All
the authors were referring to the commonly
observed PTSD reaction that has been likened to
the freeze state in animals when they are
attacked (Herman, 1997, p. 42). According to
Herman,
These detached states of consciousness are
similar to hypnotic trance states. They share the
same features of surrender of voluntary action,
suspension of initiative and critical judgment,
Intrusion
Generic Complex PTSD intrusion. Herman
(1997, p. 37) depicted intrusion as “long after
the danger is past, traumatized people relive the
event as though it were continually recurring in
the present.” As a result of triggers, which are
“seemingly insignificant reminders” of the
trauma, the traumatic moment instantaneously
bursts into consciousness and the traumatized
persons experience them either as flashbacks
during waking states or as traumatic nightmares
while they are asleep. What is significant about
these flashbacks and nightmares is that, because
they have become encrypted into a specific form
of memory (implicit memory), where they are
stored as graphic images and sensations without
context and verbal narrative, they recur with
“the emotional intensity of the original event,”
(Herman, 1997, p. 42) and with a heightened
reality. The consequence of this for the
traumatized person is one of never feeling safe
because triggers can occur in what are normally
safe environments. (Brett &Ostroff, 1985, pp.
422–423).
Postcult PTSD intrusion. Several aspects
distinguish postcult PTSD intrusion: the nature
of the nightmares, the range of triggers to which
the former cult member is vulnerable, and a
phobic avoidance of triggers.
The nightmares of former cult members are
different. They are distinctly “themes of death,
dying, violence and/or loss, helplessness”
(Whitsett, 2010, p. 3).
Former cult members experience a wide range of
triggers, which reconnect the individuals with
often-abhorrent cult experiences. For example, a
tone of voice, a particular song or chant sung in
the cult, a word or a phrase—in fact, any type of
sight, sound, smell, taste, or sensation, can
trigger former members, who frequently have
many triggers.
Lalich and Tobias (2006) provided an extensive
list of common postcult triggers:
Sensory triggers are probably the most
common. Typical ones are:
• Sights: special colors, flags, pictures of
the leader, facial expressions, hand
signals, group symbols, items used in
group activities rituals, certain buildings
or locations
• Physical sensations: hunger, fatigue,
touches, handshakes, a kiss or caress,
massage
• Sounds: songs, certain music, slogans,
mantras, certain prayers, key words and
phrases, a certain rhythm or tone of
voice, yelling
• Smells: incense, perfume or Cologne of
the leader, certain food aromas, room
odors, body odors
• Tastes: certain foods or liquids, herbs or
spices
In addition, certain emotions, such as
feelings of guilt, fear, and shame, all of
which were encouraged in the cult, may
function as triggers. (Lalich &Tobias, 2006,
p. 121)
Phobic avoidance of triggers. As a result both of
their hyperarousal, including hypervigilance,
and of the vividness and emotional force of the
flashbacks, many former members are
confronted with a double whammy: the trigger
itself, and a panic, a phobic response to the
whole idea of triggers—the fear of the fear
(Whitsett, 2010, p. 3).
Constriction
Generic Complex PTSD constriction. Different
authors use different terms to describe this
phenomenon, and they all claim that it lies at the
heart of trauma disorders: constriction and
numbing (Herman, 1997) floating (Lalich &
Tobias, 2006) dissociation (Lifton, 1989
Martin, Langone, Dole, &Wiltrout, 1992
Singer, 2003) and splitting (Lifton, 1989). All
the authors were referring to the commonly
observed PTSD reaction that has been likened to
the freeze state in animals when they are
attacked (Herman, 1997, p. 42). According to
Herman,
These detached states of consciousness are
similar to hypnotic trance states. They share the
same features of surrender of voluntary action,
suspension of initiative and critical judgment,
