People with scrupulosity may experience intrusive thoughts, doubts, compulsions, and anxiety related to their faith. They may also have difficulty making decisions, trusting their conscience, or feeling forgiven.
Scrupulosity can affect people of any religion, but it is particularly common among Catholics, who have a rich and complex tradition of moral theology, sacraments, and spiritual practices.
While these aspects of Catholicism can be sources of guidance, comfort, and growth for many believers, they can also become distorted and misused by scrupulosity.
If you are a Catholic who struggles with scrupulosity, you are not alone.
Many saints and holy people have experienced this condition, such as St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Alphonsus Liguori.
They all found ways to overcome their scrupulosity and grow closer to God. You can too, with the help of God's grace, professional therapy, and spiritual direction.
Here are some tips on how to cope with scrupulosity as a Catholic:
- Seek professional help. Scrupulosity is a mental health issue that requires treatment from a qualified therapist who specializes in OCD and understands your religious background. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) are proven methods that can help you reduce your anxiety and challenge your distorted thoughts. You may also benefit from medication if your therapist recommends it.
- Find a spiritual director. A spiritual director is a person who helps you discern God's will and grow in your relationship with Him. He or she can provide you with sound advice, support, and guidance on how to practice your faith in a healthy and balanced way.
A spiritual director can also help you distinguish between true and false guilt, and between reasonable and unreasonable expectations. Ideally, your spiritual director should be a priest or a religious who is familiar with scrupulosity and can administer the sacraments to you.
- Follow the advice of your therapist and spiritual director.
One of the symptoms of scrupulosity is doubting the authority or competence of the people who are trying to help you. You may feel tempted to question, argue with, or disobey your therapist or spiritual director, or to seek multiple opinions from different sources.
This will only increase your confusion and anxiety. Remember that your therapist and spiritual director are trustworthy professionals who have your best interest at heart. Follow their instructions and do not go beyond them.
- Simplify your spiritual life.
Scrupulosity can make you feel overwhelmed by the many rules, obligations, and devotions that the Catholic Church offers. You may feel like you have to do everything perfectly or excessively to please God or avoid hell.
This is not true. God does not want you to be scrupulous; He wants you to be free.
He loves you as you are and He knows your limitations. Therefore, focus on the essentials of your spiritual life: the sacraments (especially the Eucharist and confession), prayer (especially the rosary), and charity (especially the corporal and spiritual works of mercy). Do not add any other practices without the approval of your spiritual director.
- Be gentle with yourself. Scrupulosity can make you feel unworthy, ashamed, and hopeless. You may feel like you are a bad Catholic, a bad person, or a bad child of God. These are lies that come from the enemy who wants to separate you from God's love.
The truth is that you are a beloved son or daughter of God, who created you in His image and likeness, who redeemed you by His Son's death and resurrection, and who sanctifies you by His Spirit's presence in your soul. Nothing can change that. God loves you unconditionally and infinitely. He is not angry with you; He is compassionate and patient with you.
He does not expect you to be perfect; He expects you to be faithful. He does not want you to despair; He wants you to hope in His mercy.
Scrupulosity is a cross that can be very heavy to carry, but it can also be an opportunity to grow in humility, trust, and holiness. With the right help and attitude, you can overcome your scrupulosity and find peace and joy in your Catholic faith.