40 Common Topics in ExJW Therapy

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 As you unravel the layers of indoctrination and belief systems you once held dear, you find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing highs of liberation and lows of grief and loss.

You feel betrayed by the organization you dedicated your life to, recognising the deception and manipulation, shunned  by family members and close friends causes anger, resentment & deep emotional pain.

ExJWs can mourn the loss of connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging. The sudden absence of time being controlled by meetings, bible study, ministry intertwined with loss of faith, family, friends can be intensely difficult. 

 You found yourself severed from your support network, left without the friendships and community you once relied on. This loneliness compounds feelings of grief, betrayal, and emotional turmoil. 

The enforced seperation caused by JW shunning policy leads to a deep sense of loss, abandonment, emotional turmoil, rejection & questioning your own self-worth. which can play out unhealthly in personal relationships.

The strict adherence to high standards set by the JW culture creates a constant sense of pressure to meet lofty expectations. This can lead to internalized feelings of failure, not feeling good enough and self-doubt. 

JW strict rules and scrutiny on associations led to a limited social circle and difficulty in developing healthy relationship skills. Leaving results in isolation and vulnerability, making it challenging to establish boundaries and recognize red flags in relationships. 

JWs discourages any form of sexual expression outside their prescribed boundaries.  Sex outside marriage, LGBTQ+, breaking bedroom laws are deemed sinful. Many experienced shame through judicial comittees excaberating intimacy issues.

JWs emphasize a positive façade, discouraging open expression of negative emotions. Leaving the organization can leave you ill-equipped to navigate and process your emotions, leading to difficulties in identifying, understanding, and effectively managing your feelings.

 The hierarchical structure and strict adherence to authority erodes trust in your own judgment and intuition. Many ex-JWs grapple with trust issues, the fear of being deceived or manipulated again. 

 The JW focus on spiritual matters , discouragement of higher education & lucrative careers often leaves exJWs having to overcome a lack mindset or poverty consciousness even if they are successful.  

 JW promotes the cutting off of contact with those who leave or are disfellowshipped, causing exJWs to experience the painful loss of familial relationships and parental alienation & estrangement.

The strict rules and limited exposure to the outside world leaves exJWs ill-prepared for  common life situations: such as difficulties in the dating world, asking for a raise at work and saying no to name a few examples.

However hard you tried, it was never enough. Now you carry guilt for any perceived wrongdoing, failure, not being perfect, having gotten involved in the first place, for the people you recruited, and for the things you did. 

So many lost years can create a sense of urgency to make up for lost time & impatience with the recovery process. JW trauma lives on unconsciously until its deprogrammed by specialist exjw therapy.

The emphasis on conformity & obedience discourages individual boundaries leading to difficulties in expressing personal needs, saying no, and maintaining healthy relationships. 

 The strict adherence to doctrine suppresses individual critical thinking & independent decision-making hindering your ability to analyze information objectively. 

 The constant reinforcement of the "chosen ones" identity, creates a mindset that views the world in terms of opposition and division in an "Us vs Them" Mentality.

 The sense of purpose and direction being a JWs leaves a huge void in your life. It is disorienting to navigate a new path and redefine your sense of purpose. 

Anger is a natural response to frustration, resentment, injustice & being misled by the JWs, parents, family, elders, governing body. This anger is often misdirected inwards.

Exjws often feel no-one "out there" understands what they're going through, leading to isolation and pretending to be ok when they are struggling or feeling an outsider. 

Many exJWS can worry that Armageddon doomsday prophecies might come true. EXJw therapy helps you overcome the indoctrination.

They forced you rely on their authoritative guidance so once free the fear of making the wrong decision can cause indecision. 

Constant scrutiny created feelings of inadequacy. Being shunned adds an additional layer of self-doubt and identity crisis. 

Many exJWs feel ill at ease in social / work situations. Embarrassed to be questioned about JW past or how you acted as a JW.  

JW emphasis on loyalty & self-sacrifice leads to  needing approval & codependency in personal relationships. 

Many exJws feel a spiritual void wondering what to trust and if a higher power exists for them. 

The loss of a tight-knit community, strained family relationships, feelings of guilt or shame, and the challenges of rebuilding a new life can contribute to isolation & hopelessness.

The indoctrination & fear-based teachings create subconscious wounds, often leading to nightmares that reflect internalized anxieties and fears. 

After dedicating to JW principles and then relinquishing the scaffolding of their belief system. Its daunting to refind yourself in a world that feels foreign and unfamiliar. 

JW's rigid dogma, pressure to conform and constant barrage of enforced beliefs plus adjusting to a new worldview leads to mental fatigue & difficulty focusing. 

Being dedicated to for years overode independent thought and personal choices. Being free from high-control and relearning personal autonomy is highly challenging.

 Having been conditioned to follow directives without question, breaking free from that mindset can lead to a natural skepticism and resistance towards authority in general. 

 The intense control, manipulation, and isolation made you hyper-aware and suspicious of any groups that display similar traits. 

 Jw policies create religious abuse. This   emotional distress manifests as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem & trust issues.  

 Before starting exjwc therapy, exjws can be stuck in "no man's land" - no longer a JW & not living a full life  A painful place to be.