Scrupulosity / Religious OCD

 

Scrupulosity is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by religious obsessions and behavior to relieve the anxiety. Scrupulosity is also known as religous OCD and moral OCD.

In a mild form, people who regularly practice their religion are viewed as pious, which can be a coverup. For some, the obsessions and attendant compulsions become out of control when they interfere with one or more spheres of life.

Children may miss out on social activities and stay in their rooms reading religious texts and repeatedly praying over minor faults.

An adult may struggle with repetitive immoral thoughts, which they cannot seem to get rid of.

Obsessions

Obsessions are intrusive thoughts and images the person finds anxiety provoking and worrisome to an extreme. Their efforts to get rid of these thoughts don’t seem to work for long.

The powerful anxiety is often expressed as fearful thoughts. Some common examples include fear of:

Sinning against God

Eternal punishment in hell

Sexual sin

Doubting one’s faith

Being forgiven for sin

  Also-

            Repetitive thoughts about past mistakes

            Repeated thoughts about one’s sinful state

 

Compulsions

Compulsions may be mental or behavioral. A few examples follow.

Frequently going to confession or in other traditions,

            Frequently confessing sin to God and seeking forgiveness

Frequently speaking with clergy to gain reassurance of their faith

Repeating religious texts

Frequent praying that interferes with other responsibilities

Frequent efforts to suppress immoral thoughts

 

In their research that developed into a 15-item questionnaire (Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity; PIOS), Abramowitz and his colleagues discovered there are two dimensions to scrupulosity in religious persons.

1. Fear of God- and God’s punishment

2. Fear of Sin – and its consequences

 

Perfectionism

Perfectionism may overlap with scrupulosity in those who are excessively concerned, that is obsessed with, being perfect.

Read more about perfectionism.

Assessment

Olatunji and his colleagues (2007) provide a 15-item measure of scrupulosity useful for mental health clinicians. The scale is called PIOS (Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity).

 

References

Miller CH, Hedges DW. Scrupulosity disorder: an overview and introductory analysis. J Anxiety Disord. 2008 Aug;22(6):1042-58. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.11.004. Epub 2007 Nov 21. PMID: 18226490.

Olatunji BO, Abramowitz JS, Williams NL, Connolly KM, Lohr JM. Scrupulosity and obsessive-compulsive symptoms: confirmatory factor analysis and validity of the Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 2007, 21(6), 771-87. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2006.12.002.

Notice

Scrupulosity can be severe and can be treated by mental health professionals.

Scrupulosity has been linked to suicide and suicidal ideation.

Help is available:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 988.

Call 911.

Go to the nearest emergency room.

 

 **********

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Follow on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

You can read many published articles at no charge:

  Academia   Geoff W Sutton     ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton 

 

Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.