Are You in a Cult?

"Survivors of these experiences speak of being unaware of their circumstances, given the emotional manipulation intricate in the process."

"Ashleigh became involved in the organization when she was in a state of what she calls 'situational vulnerability.' She comments, 'It was kind of the perfect storm, where I was in a transitional life phase-in my mid-20s, I'd just moved overseas, I'd been through a recent breakup, I was very spiritually open.'"

Cults typically exhibit dynamics such as coercive control, isolation, and the belief in a supreme leader. Many individuals unknowingly enter high-control environments, including abusive relationships, which can share cult-like characteristics. Research indicates that around 1 percent of people globally experience psychological abuse in cults, though this figure is likely underestimated. Survivors often report being unaware of their exploitation due to emotional manipulation. Situational vulnerability can lead individuals to join such organizations, as illustrated by Ashleigh Freckleton's experience with a yoga school she later recognized as a cult.

Read at Psychology Today