Scrupulosity

By Darlene Matheson

Certified Christ Centered Life Coach

Mental health is more challenging today than ever before in our history. Within our faith communities we see greater transparency of those who struggle. This is a blessing, because just knowing we are not alone is a beacon of hope for those who have previously suffered in silence.

 I have studied mental and behavior sciences for over 40 years. I have worked in many capacities as a support to those who struggle. I have had my own battles within my mind, and I have found tools that empower me to step out of darkness and despair into the light of hope and peace. I have refined a process I share in my Life Coaching sessions to guide others along their journey.

OCD has become a popular mental health condition. When I say “popular” I mean the term is trendy and thrown around as if it is desirable to be “OCD”. People make funny memes and wish they had it so their house might be cleaner, or their drawers would be more organized. The reality is that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be truly debilitating. Someone could have obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors or both. This may look like repetitive unwanted thoughts that are distressing. These looping thoughts are also called ruminating. Compulsive behaviors are unwanted actions or mental practices done to try to ease anxiety. They may have minor impacts or be entirely disabling. Obsessive-compulsive disorder manifests in various ways. It is distressing, unwanted, and often accompanied with pathological guilt, fear, and shame.

One form of OCD that I have seen becoming more prevalent is “worthiness OCD” also known as “religious OCD” or “Scrupulosity”. This is when obsessions or compulsions center around moral and religious issues. Like other forms of OCD, these conditions can come from chemical imbalances in the brain, environmental factors, or trauma. Anxiety and depression often accompany a battle with OCD.

Because of the seriousness of Scrupulosity, it can be beneficial to access a variety of tools to manage and navigate. Everyone is unique and individual in their journey. So individual recipes for success can be applied. Medication, qualified mental health professionals, coaching, friends, and family along with personal revelation are some of the ingredients available for application.

I have been honored to work with clients who have struggled with Scrupulosity. I have seen this often in missionaries who first see this condition manifest in the mission field. It can also hit hard when a missionary returns home and finds post-mission life a difficult adjustment. This challenge can literally manifest in any person at any time along their journey of life.

My coaching process is based in the Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) concepts, and I call my work “SO-FAR”. We work together to make small and simple shifts in thoughts, feelings, and actions using specific situations in the client’s life. The results are empowering. Self-management enables spiritual realignment and cultivates growth mindset.

An intensely scrupulous mind subconsciously focuses on performance and perfection to please a punitive God. This is not intentional, yet it misses the mark all the same. When thoughts, feelings and actions become stumbling blocks to development, we could say they are not “serving us”, we are “serving them”. They are our master, not the Savior.

The good news is, we can take back control and learn to realign erroneous thoughts and correct false beliefs. That is not to say unwanted urges or inclinations will vanish. Some of our mortal challenges will remain throughout mortality. We do, however, have the capacity to manage our mind and reprogram our reactions. Professional support and guidance through the journey are key. It may take a team to win the day, but the capacity for change is within us. Seeing those small shifts are like the first blossoms of Spring, we begin to see a different view unfold as we work towards a new season of life.

Scrupulosity focuses on strict obedience or perfection of events and falls into complete despair when human imperfection inevitably shows up. There is no mercy. But with our Savior, we can find mercy, grace, and the enabling power of His gentle love. The Savior knows our needs, sees our efforts and will be more patient and kinder than we often give him credit for.

“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:11-12)

So here is the beautiful opportunity for a person who suffers with Scrupulosity. Theirs is a journey to come to know the true nature of a loving God. This is a gift that can change a life and cultivate a tender relationship between a child and their Eternal parent. There is nothing more meaningful than learning His love and our worth.