Religous OCD

Frank,

Sorry you are going through this. I've been there, so I really do understand. I went through 8yrs of torment, with the same types of thoughts as you, before I was diagnosed properly and got the help I needed.

I just want you to know that there is help, and it's possible to overcome this. I did therapy, and I take medication.

Always remember that God is stronger than OCD!

Seajoy

frank1234 said:

Hi; I have what you might call religous OCD. Of course, there is a physical illness that feeds it and makes it harder to fight with too. I know that it is a form of legalism, perfectionism,and fear mixed together. Everyday I have to fight with this thing. Some days are easier, some aren't(like today). Today even my own mind can not accept "finishing" of my morning prayer, no matter how many times I try to say "Amen". At any rate, It is very frustraing and anxiety creating feeling, specially when, with these kind of illness,(I have social anxiety disorder among other things) It is very hard to socialize with people and enjoy life. I appreciate any responses from you guys. Thank you and GOD bless you.

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Frank,
My daughter has the same trouble as you. I know that it isn't easy and it's hard to know how to help because she doesn't really like to talk about it.

After we pray for our food she leaves the room to go to repent to God because during the prayers curse words come up in her head and the more she fears this will happen again, it does.
Fear induces them and fear keeps them going I'm sure. I don't know what part Satan plays in this religious ocd but I'm sure he enjoys it because it distorts the Bible and God.

Sometime I'd like to blame the whole thing on Satan but I know that it's more then that. Ocd affects her self confidence, her self esteem and makes social interactions less enjoyable.
I know at times she gets tired of offering these rituals to God, I wish she would get tired enough to stop the rituals even if it was just a little ritual at a time. I've told her it just makes the fear bigger and the obsession harder to break the longer she does this but she feels compelled anyway because if she doesn't she gets anxious.
Next week we start a natural supplement program and I pray this helps.
Thanks for sharing Frank, it's helpful to hear from someone going through this also.
God Bless,
Mamma

Ohhhh yes,,,i very much dislike religious ocd! My ocd makes me do pointless and time consuming activities to prove to God I really have faith... but being christian doesnt mean having to touch the door handle ten times just to prove myself! It is so frustrating becuase i my mind argues other whether the voice is coming from God or Satan when its just my ocd!

Hello Frank1234,

You may need to seek out a professional just to determine whether this is a religious "addiction" or if it's a form of OCD. Some people are simply addicted to religion so much that they just cannot stop.

While my first advice is to seek out a professional, you may want to read a little short story called "Way of the Pilgrim". It's about internalizing prayer. While it was written from the Russian Orthodox Christian perspective, it teaches you to internalize your prayer so that you never cease praying as Paul enjoined, but it does not become a distraction in your life either.

Blessings and best wishes,

Father J

I hate religious OCD. As I try to be more Godly and follow Christ, the more my OCD interferes. My prayers have to be a certain way and pattern. I cant watch movies or entertainment or anything because its all bad. I cant enjoy anything anymore because i always think how bad it is or something. I dont know. I just hope you can get help for yours. I dont really have religious OCD. I am more of a counter and tapper.

Take care ok.

tryingtochange said:

I hate religious OCD. As I try to be more Godly and follow Christ, the more my OCD interferes. My prayers have to be a certain way and pattern. I cant watch movies or entertainment or anything because its all bad. I cant enjoy anything anymore because i always think how bad it is or something. I dont know. I just hope you can get help for yours. I dont really have religious OCD. I am more of a counter and tapper.

Take care ok.

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Welcome tryingtochange! Hope you can find some peace here at CF.

OCD can manifest itself in several ways at once in one person. You could be a counter and tapper, and also have religious OCD. It's not easy is it?

Do you have a therapist? Meds and therapy can really help.

seajoy

frank1234 said:

Hi; I have what you might call religous OCD. Of course, there is a physical illness that feeds it and makes it harder to fight with too. I know that it is a form of legalism, perfectionism,and fear mixed together. Everyday I have to fight with this thing. Some days are easier, some aren't(like today). Today even my own mind can not accept "finishing" of my morning prayer, no matter how many times I try to say "Amen". At any rate, It is very frustraing and anxiety creating feeling, specially when, with these kind of illness,(I have social anxiety disorder among other things) It is very hard to socialize with people and enjoy life. I appreciate any responses from you guys. Thank you and GOD bless you.

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frank1234,
I totally understand what you are going through!! I have been struggling my entire life with social anxiety. I can not socialize with others outside of my immediate family without intense fear and anxiety. I am also having these problems where I can not pray or go to Church without thinking horrible thoughts. I sometimes get overwhelmed and feel like giving up-but that is not an option! I haven't been diagnosed whith anything but I have researched it and believe it is OCD...
I will be praying for you! Remeber that God will not abandon us, he is always there for us!
Jesus also once suffered something similar in the garden the night before he died...He was so anxious that he begged the Father to let this cup pass from Him and even sweated blood.
But His answer was to bear suffering patiently...in the end He overcame the devil and sin by his obedience and willful death. I believe this is what we too are called to do, since Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life...He came into the world to show us the Way and Truth!
We too must willingly suffer (be it God's will) and join our suffering with Christ, so that we may also overcome the devil and be brought to Life. His death once and for all overcame the devil and sin for the salvation of the world...but that did not mean there would not still be suffering...look at the world today...we see it and experience it everyday!
If God does not answer our prayer for deliverance of this anxiety, it is because He loves us so much that He would not take from us that which may very well aid in our salvation. Only He knows what is best for us. We should stop struggling and fighting ourselves and completely turn our lives over to God and His will.
I will be praying for you...God bless!