If you're struggling with Religious (scrupulosity) OCD, it often centers around one overwhelming question:
"Am I a bad person?"
This question can trigger a cascade of intrusive thoughts about your morality and intentions, such as:
Are my intentions pure?
Am I secretly evil?
Do I enjoy doing bad things?
Am I lying to myself about being good?
Do I like thinking bad thoughts?
Did I enjoy doing that?
These worries can prompt you to seek constant reassurance from family and friends, hoping for instant validation that you are a good person and that your actions are morally acceptable.
If you have OCD and moral scrupulosity, you may feel an overwhelming urge to confess your thoughts or actions repeatedly. This may involve giving long, detailed justifications to others to convince them (and yourself) that you mean no harm. You may not stop until you feel the guilt and shame lift from your body.
Constant fear of being morally "wrong" can turn even the simplest decisions into intense moral dilemmas. Each choice feels weighted with the possibility of making a mistake—whether it’s a moral failure, a religious misstep, or an action that might anger or disappoint a higher power. This constant pressure can be exhausting, but seeking help can be the first step toward recovery.
What is Religious (Scrupulosity) OCD?
Religious (or scrupulosity) OCD is a subtype of OCD that involves persistent religious, moral, or ethical obsessions. These obsessions often take the form of intrusive thoughts, images, or feelings that cause significant distress. People with scrupulosity OCD frequently fear sinning and worry about violating a religious or ethical code, fearing it reflects badly on them as a person.
Common Obsessions in Religious (scrupulosity) OCD
Some common religious intrusive thoughts can sound like:
Did I say the prayer right? I’m unsure if I pronounced everything correctly. Should I redo it?
I had a negative thought about someone in the congregation. Does that mean I’m a bad person?
During meditation, I zoned out. Did I lose my connection with the divine? Should I start over?
I felt impatient during a sermon. Does that mean I’m disrespecting my faith?
I was I too focused on my appearance during worship? Does that show a lack of devotion?
I didn’t feel enough reverence during my prayer session. Does that mean I’m not truly devout?
I had an angry thought about someone. Does that mean I’m falling short of moral standards?
I accidentally said something disrespectful. Should I confess for that?
I had a moment of doubt during a sermon. Does that mean I’m losing my faith?
These types of thoughts can create a relentless cycle of doubt, self-criticism, and fear of making religious mistakes, leading to emotional and mental exhaustion.
Common Compulsions in Religious or Scrupulosity OCD
Compulsions are behaviors performed to relieve the anxiety caused by obsessions. Common compulsions in religious OCD may include:
Excessive prayer
Praying longer than usual or repeating prayers until they feel “perfect,” especially after any mistake or hesitation.
Excessive confession
Repeatedly confessing the same sins to your religious leader, worried you haven’t explained them clearly enough.
Excessive rituals
Creating specific rituals, such as praying for a set amount of time or asking for forgiveness a particular number of times, to reduce obsessive thoughts.
Reassurance seeking
Constantly asking loved ones or strangers for reassurance about whether your actions or thoughts are sinful.
Mental checking
Continuously reviewing past actions to evaluate whether they were immoral or sinful.
Avoidance
Avoiding your place of worship or certain people, fearing you might act sinfully around them.
Treatment for Religious (scrupulosity) OCD
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy
The most effective treatment for scrupulosity OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. In ERP, you work with a trained therapist to face situations that trigger your religious, moral, or ethical obsessions. The goal is to learn not to respond with compulsive behaviors.
For example, if you obsess over telling the truth and feel anxious when you’re late, fearing that you might be a liar, ERP helps you stop seeking reassurance. Instead, you’ll learn to tolerate uncertainty, accepting that you might or might not be lying without acting on the urge to ask for confirmation.
While religious OCD can present unique challenges, a therapist familiar with your faith can help you separate your beliefs from your OCD thoughts. With this support, you’ll gradually work through exposures to reduce anxiety and break the cycle of obsession and compulsion
Sources:
Pollard, C. A., & International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). (2010). Scrupulosity. International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). https://iocdf.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IOCDF-Scrupulosity-Fact-Sheet.pdf
Miller, C. H., & Hedges, D. W. (2008). Scrupulosity disorder: An overview and introductory analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(6), 1042-1058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.11.004
Ehmke, R. (2025, February 7). Understanding religious OCD. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/understanding-religious-ocd/
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