Compulsive Obsessions in Religion: Symptoms, Personal Experiences, and Therapeutic Options
In the world of mental health, understanding and addressing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is crucial. One of its less-discussed forms is Religious OCD, also known as Scrupulosity.
Scrupulosity is a type of OCD that revolves around obsessions and compulsions related to religion or morality. These obsessions can range from fear of angering a god or religious deity, fear of committing blasphemy, fear of going to hell, constant striving for purity, to doubting what one feels or believes. Compulsions may include excessively praying, seeking reassurance from religious leaders, making pacts with a religious deity, and avoidance of situations that could trigger intrusive thoughts.
The exact causes of scrupulosity are yet to be fully understood, but risk factors include genetics, environment (including childhood trauma), and brain structure. A family history of OCD increases the risk, suggesting genetic factors may play a role. OCD behaviors can also be learned by observing family members or significant others. Stressful life experiences and trauma, especially adverse childhood experiences, can trigger or worsen scrupulosity symptoms in genetically or psychologically vulnerable individuals.
Traits such as perfectionism, high anxiety levels, and intense responsibility feelings are associated with scrupulosity. An excessive focus on moral or religious perfection can feed the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions. Individuals with anxiety disorders, depression, or substance use disorders have a higher risk of developing OCD, including scrupulosity.
If a person experiences stigma from religious figures due to expressing their experiences with religious OCD, or is made to feel like their feelings are not valid, then this may not be an appropriate support network.
Fortunately, treatments for scrupulosity are available. Healthcare professionals may recommend similar treatments for religious OCD as for OCD, including behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a first-line treatment for OCD, and a type of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) may be effective at reducing compulsive behaviors in people whose OCD does not respond to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
With ERP, people are encouraged to face their fears without engaging in compulsive behaviors. Another alternative treatment being explored is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), involving talking with a therapist about intrusive thoughts while making rapid eye movements.
Grace, a person with religious OCD, found that ERP therapy and EMDR were helpful in treating her symptoms. A 2017 randomized controlled trial comparing EMDR to CBT for the treatment of OCD found that both treatments had similar clinical outcomes, but more research is needed to establish the effectiveness of EMDR as a treatment for OCD.
For those seeking resources, the International OCD Foundation has a dedicated OCD and Faith Resource Center that provides information on coping with OCD in relation to different religions. It's essential for anyone experiencing symptoms of OCD, including scrupulosity, to seek clinical advice from professionals and consider talking with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Remember, being highly religious does not necessarily mean a person will develop OCD. High religiosity may be a risk factor, but OCD can manifest through religious rituals for some people.
Healthcare professionals use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) to diagnose OCD. A person must experience obsessions, compulsions, or both that take up much of their time or cause significant impairment or distress in social, occupational, or other important settings.
Other types of therapy for OCD can include interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive analytic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and emotional freedom technique. If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, seeking help is the first step towards recovery.
Sciencely, understanding the intersection of OCD and mental health, particularly in forms like Religious OCD (scrupulosity), is essential within the health-and-wellness community. This less-discussed subtype of OCD involves obsessions and compulsions centered around religion or morality, often involving fears of religious or moral transgressions, constant striving for purity, excessively praying, or avoidance of seemingly triggering situations. Despite the complex causes, which include genetics, environment, stressful experiences, and brain structure, effective treatments do exist – such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy, medication, or combinations thereof.
