01/28/2026
After COVID, OCD symptoms surgedâone study found severe OCD symptoms rose from 15.3% pre-pandemic to 38.6% during the pandemic. And for many faith-based people, OCD can âattachâ to what matters most and show up as religious scrupulosityâseen in about 25%â30% of people with OCD.
If this is youâor someone you knowâit can sound like:
âDid I mean that prayer?â
âWhat if God is disappointed in me?â
âWhat if I committed the unforgivable sin?â
If youâve been carrying that weight, I want you to hear this: youâre not alone, and youâre not failing. Sometimes what feels like âspiritual weaknessâ is actually an anxiety loopâand naming it can be the first step back to peace.
đ New article by Dr. Trevor Hislop: When Faith Feels Like Fear: Understanding Religious Scrupulosity (Scrupulosity OCD)
Read it here: https://www.livewellbehavioralhealth.com/blog/religious-scrupulosity-scrupulosity-ocd-intrusive-thoughts
If you want help untangling faith from fear, reach out to LiveWell. Weâre here. đ
Religious scrupulosityâoften called scrupulosity OCDâcan make faith feel like fear. Learn the signs, how intrusive thoughts and compulsions work, and how to find peace through therapy, grace, and faith-informed support.