Religious OCD-Scrupulosity?

Religious OCD-Scrupulosity:

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder where a person gets stuck in a cycle of obsessions-unwanted thoughts/images or urges that lead to distressful emotions. Compulsions/rituals are physical or mental behaviors that a person engages in to get relief from the obsessions. Scrupulosity is a subtype of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) involving religious or moral obsessions. Doubts within this sub-type could include whether or not I might have sinned or committed a moral violation of my religion. Frequent worry and guilt about violating a religious or ethical code can be seen in this sub-type.

Common obsessions seen in scrupulosity:

• Fear of having committed a sin.

• Behaving overly morally.

• Excessively striving for purity.

• Fear of going to hell or being punished by God.

• Fear of being possessed.

• Fear of death.

• Needing to acquire certainty about religious beliefs.

Common compulsions seen in scrupulosity:

• Writing prayers to check they’re done “correctly”.

• Excessive confession.

• Excessive prayer.

• Repeatedly seeking reassurance from religious leaders and loved ones.

• Repeated cleansing and purifying rituals.

• Neutralizing or replacing “bad” thoughts.

• Excessive researching.

• Avoidant behaviors.

Unlike typical religious practices, aspects of scrupulosity may exceed normal practices or focus obsessively on certain areas of ones religion. OCD can create barriers in practicing ones religious traditions. The behaviors associated with scrupulosity may be motivated by distress and getting relief from that distress, rather than a more genuine, average behavior that is not motivated by distress. The impact of the OCD can lead to negative impact on functioning seen in areas of work/relationships/self care. Compulsions can waste time throughout ones day as one engages often with them. Scrupulosity, like other OCD sub-types can develop from both environmental and genetic factors.

Treatment for this sub-type of OCD, like all forms of OCD is the gold standard of treatment, exposure and response prevention (ERP). Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) looks at the idea that triggering situations and thoughts are at the core of OCD. Ongoing exposure to these triggers without engagement in rituals can reduce the severity felt. As a licensed mental health therapist trained in ERP, I will assist you through the exposures and how to implement effective response prevention measures. If you feel that OCD has had a negative impact on your life, you might consider counseling and ERP to learn how to handle it more effectively. Please feel free to reach out for a free consultation, where we can discuss impacts of OCD and benefits of counseling/ERP.