Religious OCD: A Comprehensive Guide to the Madness of Scrupulosity

The other day I watched a video of a woman crying at a barbershop while her hair was getting shaved off. She was doing it for the Lord. She claimed the Lord asked her to shave her hair because she was spending too much time on it. Her time belonged to the Lord. Her vanity was stealing from His time to be adored and exalted.

The video broke my heart because it seemed all too familiar. The woman was clearly in mental distress. I remember what it was like.

Her intentions were to serve her Lord. Her actions were pure in motive. However, the Lord requesting her self-mutilation is abusive. Yet, this Lord was placed into her by a religious system teaching blind obedience. Trust and obey, for there is no other way, even if that means shaving your hair. It’s all for the glory of God.

This teaching is not fringe and can result in harmful consequences. Addiction, codependency, actions against oneself, and abusive relationships are just a few of these consequences. This teaching can worsen mental health, especially in patients with OCD, and can cause spiritual psychosis. OCD combined with religion can manifest itself as Religious OCD, or scrupulosity.

What is Religious OCD?

Religious OCD, also known as scrupulosity, is a subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) where a person’s obsessions and compulsions are primarily focused on religious or moral issues. People with religious OCD may have obsessive and intrusive thoughts related to sin, blasphemy, or other religious or moral violations. These thoughts can be persistent and distressing, leading to intense feelings of guilt, anxiety, and shame.

In an effort to alleviate these distressing feelings, individuals with religious OCD may engage in compulsive behaviors, such as excessive prayer, confession, or seeking reassurance from religious leaders or others. However, these compulsions usually provide only temporary relief and can interfere with daily functioning.

What are the Symptoms of Religious OCD?

The symptoms of religious OCD, or scrupulosity, can vary from person to person, but typically involve persistent and distressing obsessions and compulsions related to religious or moral issues. Here are some common symptoms:

Obsessions:

• Persistent thoughts or fears of committing sin, blasphemy, or other religious or moral transgressions
• Intrusive thoughts or images of harming others or oneself, often accompanied by intense feelings of guilt or shame.
• A preoccupation with ensuring that one’s thoughts or actions are morally pure or in line with religious doctrine.
• Fear of divine punishment or eternal damnation.

Compulsions:

• Repeatedly praying or engaging in other religious rituals to seek forgiveness or alleviate guilt.
• Seeking reassurance from religious leaders or others that one has not committed a moral transgression.
• Repeatedly confessing sins or seeking forgiveness, even for minor or imagined transgressions.
• Avoiding certain religious practices or objects due to fear of committing a moral transgression.

What are the Causes of Religious OCD?

The causes of religious OCD are not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Research suggests that OCD may be caused by an imbalance in certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine. Traumatic life events, such as abuse or neglect, may also contribute to the development of OCD. In the case of religious OCD, some individuals may have experienced negative religious experiences, such as being raised in a highly religious household or being exposed to extreme religious beliefs or practices.

In the 1980s and 1990s, a moral panic known as the Satanic Panic swept through North America and Europe, fueled by rumors of satanic ritual abuse and a widespread belief in the existence of satanic cults. This hysteria led to the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of many individuals, as well as the widespread belief that satanic forces were at work in society. While there is no evidence to support the existence of satanic cults or widespread satanic abuse, some experts believe that the Satanic Panic may have contributed to an increase in cases of religious OCD.

How is Religious OCD Treated?

Treatment for religious OCD typically involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. CBT is a type of therapy that helps individuals learn to identify and challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs, and to develop coping strategies for managing anxiety. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a specific type of CBT that involves gradually exposing individuals to their feared situations or objects while preventing them from engaging in compulsive behaviors. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also be helpful in reducing the symptoms of OCD.

In the case of religious OCD, therapy may involve challenging negative beliefs about religion or spirituality, and learning to distinguish between healthy religious practices and obsessive or compulsive behaviors. Exposure therapy may involve gradually exposing individuals to religious or moral themes that trigger their obsessions, such as reading certain passages from religious texts or attending religious services. It is important to note that treatment for religious OCD may require the involvement of a mental health professional who is knowledgeable about religious and cultural issues.

My Experience with Religious OCD

I struggled most of my life in Christianity with Religious OCD, although I didn’t know what it was. These obsessive, intrusive thoughts of blasphemy and extreme guilt for sinning would haunt my daily life. As a child I would repetitively repeat the sinners prayer to be sure I was saved. In my early 20s I would compulsively read the Bible in the middle of the night to alleviate a panic attack induced by blasphemous, intruisive thoughts that I didn’t choose. I was not mentally well, yet, I shared this with only a few friends closest to me. It is important to note that in my experience, when I lost the delusional belief in Satan and God, I never experienced Religious OCD again.

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Sources

The author generated this text in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.