This study also isolated components of spiritual struggle and their individual relationships with trauma and PTSD symptoms. Reappraisals to a punishing God, reappraisals of God’s powers, and expressions of spiritual discontent partially mediated the relationship between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms. In contrast, reappraisal of the event to evil forces was unrelated to PTSD symptoms. It may be that attributing the event to evil forces provides an unsettling https://accountingcoaching.online/mash-certified-sober-house-transitional-living/ but satisfactory explanation for some trauma survivors, perhaps because it distributes blame away from self or God to a being already understood as malevolent (e.g., Pargament et al., 2004). This finding suggests that aspects of spiritual struggle are related but distinct constructs that should be assessed separately in future research. At Time 2, participants indicated whether they had experienced any stressful events since coming to college.
- A potential difficulty with measuring spiritual struggle is its relative infrequency.
- Jung’s position was ultimately incorporated into twelve-step recovery, specifically Step Twelve.
- If at Time 2 a participant endorsed only an event on the CSLES, or endorsed an event on the TLEQ but reported no fear, helplessness, or horror in response, he or she was categorized into the non-trauma group.
- This inner conflict can be caused by many different things, such as childhood trauma, unresolved grief, or trauma related to addiction.
When dealing with the disease of alcoholism we are selfish and self-centered beings. We use everything and everyone, even when we stop using alcohol and drugs to cope with these feelings of being unsatisfied and uncomfortable in life. The more we focus less on ourselves we allow a god of our understanding to enter our minds and work in our lives.
What causes spiritual depression?
One unique way of fostering spiritual wellness is through building connections with others who share similar values and beliefs. Participating in a spiritual community can provide support, accountability, and opportunities to grow and learn. In addition to emotional support, aiding others in taking practical steps towards healing and recovery is also vital.
In extreme cases, it may manifest as depression, addiction, and other mental health disorders. Developing a spiritual connection with someone requires building trust and vulnerability. It is essential to have conversations with those individuals who share similar beliefs, experiences, and values, as they can provide emotional and mental support. This spiritual connection can help in times of crisis, and promotes growth at the personal Oxford House Recovery Homes: Characteristics and Effectiveness PMC and communal level. Next, participants indicated whether they had experienced trauma since coming to college on a modified form of the TLEQ that contained 15 items corresponding to events that could have occurred during the first year at college (i.e., excluded childhood abuse; see Table 1). “Other trauma” refers to other events that were life threatening, caused serious injury or were highly distressing or disturbing.
Five Facts About Overcoming Spiritual Malady:
Virtually all their problems were resolved via spiritual awakening and they predicted that the fortune would continue as they experienced subsequent growth going forward in life. That, we think, is the root of our troubles.” This “SELFISHNESS-self-centeredness” (or the “ego”, as some people refer to it) drives us to respond to life situations with the above “symptoms” as well as disorders and addictions other than alcoholism. Physical threats come in the forms of things like infections – prions, viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and mycelia, or things like toxins—pollutants, pesticides, radiation, medications, and substances of addiction.
It is also crucial to prioritize spiritual practices regularly to maintain a sense of connection and grounding. To experience a spiritual connection with the natural world, there are various things you can do. Spending time in the great outdoors is an excellent way to connect with nature and feel a sense of calm and wonder.
Understanding the ‘Three-Fold Illness’
So long as we make an active effort to address our spiritual malady every day, we will find relief from it, one day at a time. I want to make clear to members that these thoughts are not definitive treatise on the subjects. Just an attempt to stimulate thought or discussion and provide information based on my study and experience. Today I look further at the disease of alcoholism focusing on it as a spiritual malady. If we do not get spiritually connected with meditation or prayer with a power greater than us it will bring us closer and closer to that drink or drug.
- Perhaps it’s an obsession with nicotine, using cigars, cigarettes or vaping devices to self-administer that powerful, psycho-active drug.
- Next, participants indicated whether they had experienced trauma since coming to college on a modified form of the TLEQ that contained 15 items corresponding to events that could have occurred during the first year at college (i.e., excluded childhood abuse; see Table 1).
- When being chased by a tiger it is helpful to think “danger”, react quickly, judge without contemplation, defend and protect one’s self.
- Following this program will cause them to feel less alone or closed off from the messages of life, thus relieving them from the burden of isolation.
- The role of physical dependence and psychological addiction in alcoholism partly explain why those with alcohol use disorder are unable to moderate or discontinue use.
Spiritual struggle partially mediated the relationship between trauma and PTSD symptoms. These results suggest that spiritual struggle is an important cognitive mechanism for many trauma victims and may have relevance for cognitive therapy for PTSD. Clinicians working with trauma victims should be aware of the possible relevance of spiritual struggle in clients’ interpretation of the event and subsequent recovery. Our results indicate that clinicians must recognize that religious and spiritual beliefs may be present not only as a resource but as a negative force in the face of stressful life events. Care must be taken to assess clients’ personal feelings toward their spiritual struggle and support personal growth while challenging maladaptive cognitions.
How do we remove the weight of anxiety from our lives so we can experience more joy and peace? If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the YourFirstStep.org hotline is a confidential and convenient solution. Reach out to our compassionate team to begin your recovery journey.
Because exposure to potentially traumatic events is common (Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, & Hughes, 1995), the mechanisms through which post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms develop is a critical area of investigation (Ozer, Best, Lipsey, & Weiss, 2003). Among the mechanisms that may predict PTSD symptoms is spiritual struggle, a set of negative religious cognitions related to understanding or responding to stressful events. Although prominent theories emphasize cognitive factors in the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms, they have not explicitly addressed spiritual struggle. The present prospective study tested the role of spiritual struggle in the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms following trauma. We assessed exposure to trauma and non-trauma events during the first year of college, spiritual struggle due to the most stressful event, and PTSD symptoms resulting from the index event.