The Spiritual Malady

It’s crucial to recognize that when we address spiritual malady, it doesn’t mean that our lives become free of problems. Life’s challenges are inevitable, and they will surely come our way, but when we address spiritual malady, we develop emotional and mental resilience, which helps us navigate the tough times with ease. It is also important to remember that a spiritual malady is not just a temporary or fleeting experience. It can be a persistent, ongoing condition that can have a profound impact on all aspects of your life. By staying alert to the warning signs and taking action to address them, you can avoid falling into the trap of a spiritual malady and find greater meaning and purpose in your life.

However, research elucidating the character and directionality of the relationship between struggle and PTSD symptoms is needed. Prior studies have not assessed subscales of spiritual struggle separately to isolate possible differences in relationships with PTSD symptoms, and subtle differences exist among expressions of spiritual struggle, which may result in unique relationships with PTSD symptoms. Moreover, studies of spiritual struggle and PTSD to date have been cross sectional, precluding the inference of causal direction in the relationships among trauma, PTSD symptoms, and spiritual struggle (e.g., .Bradley, Schwartz, & Kaslow, 2005).

Events

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 spiritual malady definition 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.

• Despite his achievements, he remained haunted by profound feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
• What activities or habits have caused harm to my physical health?
• Here we’re talking about movies, music, websites… Are we on a mental diet of junk food or health food?
• (Although I’m not sure who would ever want to do that!)  But for me, I’m allergic to cats and if I did that I’d be in a world of hurt.
• It’s also important to remember that your understanding of a Higher Power can change and evolve over time.
• At Time 1, participants reported levels of psychological distress using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL; Blanchard, Jones-Alexander, Buckley, & Forneris, 1996), a widely used self-report measure that corresponds with diagnostic criteria 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. Some clients may benefit from treatments designed for spiritual struggles (e.g., Cole & Pargament, 1999; Murray-Swank & Pargament, 2005). Effectiveness of such treatments may lie in allowing victims to alter the meaning of their trauma in order to view the world, themselves, and a higher power in more benevolent and flexible ways.

The Spiritual Malady: A Hole in the Soul

It’s the “spiritual malady”, as manifested by my EGO (selfishness-self-centeredness), that can eventually lead me back to drinking or sometimes even suicide. This study presents ways in which spiritual struggle reflects negative personal meanings for stressful events and provides evidence that struggle can facilitate the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Specifically, spiritual struggle may be part of victims’ maladaptive cognitions and emotions about the causes and implications of traumatic events.

It is also important to engage in activities that bring you joy and a sense of purpose. The symptoms of a spiritual malady can manifest differently for each person, but some common signs include feelings of restlessness, anxiety, loneliness, hopelessness, and a lack of direction or purpose in life. Furthermore, it is significant to note that spiritual maladies don’t limit themselves to personal turmoil. External factors like societal pressures and expectations can cause spiritual distress. Recognizing and acknowledging the challenges and seeking support and guidance from spiritual leaders and professionals can facilitate an individual’s spiritual growth and overcome spiritual maladies.

The Spiritual Malady of Addiction

First, the final sample represented only a small proportion of the population of first-year students from which it was drawn, limiting the generalizability of our results. The nature of this study required casting a wide net to assess the impact of two low base rate phenomena (trauma exposure and spiritual struggle), and by approaching the entire population of first-year students, we risked a low response rate. Finally, enrollment in the study in no way influenced whether a student experienced trauma during the study, ensuring that the choice of being in the study did not interact with the manipulation. For these reasons, we can be confident that the sample did not self-select based on variables related to the study questions.

A Pro Tip to alleviate this condition is to practice mindfulness and meditation, allowing for the release of negative thoughts and emotions, paving the way for a deeper spiritual awakening. Acknowledge that you are scrupulous, that you frequently perform unusual rituals to “get right” with God, that you struggle to see moral truth clearly especially when it pertains to your own decision making. Acknowledging that you have a spiritual malady is the first step to overcoming it. Alcoholics Anonymous bases the 12-step program on 12 affirmations, or what they call 12 traditions. These expressions that help people recovering from addiction regain a spiritual footing once again. By using this approach, a recovering addict can experience a notable change in their outlook.