Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Triggers Scrupulosity?SymptomsIs Scrupulosity an Anxiety Disorder?TreatmentsWill Scrupulosity Go Away?Coping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Triggers Scrupulosity?

Symptoms

Is Scrupulosity an Anxiety Disorder?

Treatments

Will Scrupulosity Go Away?

Coping

Close

Scrupulosity is a particular set of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms where obsessions and compulsions are focused on religious or moral beliefs. People who experience this with OCD become hyper-focused on something they think they did wrong or may do wrong in the future. They avoid situations they think will harm their religious devotion or purity.It’s been estimated that between 5%-33% of people with OCD experience scrupulosity, and about 0.05-0.33% of people in the general population exhibit signs of it.

Let’s take a look at what scrupulosity is, what causes it, signs and symptoms, how it’s treated, and how to cope if you or a loved one is experiencing it.

Types of Moral Principles and Examples of Each

Researchers aren’t sure what triggers scrupulosity. Scrupulosity isn’t linked to any one religion in particular; it’s seen across various world religions.However, it’s more typically associated with people who are involved in religious or spiritual practices than people who are not. It’s most common in people who both have OCD and are involved in a religious or spiritual practice.

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What Are the Signs of Scrupulosity?

Scrupulosity will present differently in different people, but the main symptoms have to do with an unusual and abnormal focus, compulsion, or obsession with religious and moral values. Some of the ways that scrupulosity may manifest include:

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Scrupulosity is a set of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms rather than a specific diagnosable subtype. The subtypes of obsessive compulsive disorders include hoarding disorder,body dysmorphicdisorder, and skin picking/hair pulling disorders. OCD is its own disorder, separate from anxiety disorders. However, OCD and scrupulosity often cause anxiety in people.Moreover, people with scrupulosity often engage in obsessive behaviors and compulsions as a way to quell feelings of anxiety.

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What Is the Best Treatment For Scrupulosity?

Like OCD, treating scrupulosity involves a multi-faceted approach. Usually, OCD is treated with a combination of therapy and medication. Here’s what to know about scrupulosity treatments.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)is considered the first line of defense for treating OCD and scrupulosity.CBT involves becoming more aware of your thoughts and beliefs and understanding how they affect your emotions and behaviors.

People with scrupulosity usually benefit most from CBT with an exposure and response prevention (ERP) component.The exposure aspect of ERP focuses on having the patient confront the thoughts and feelings surrounding the obsessive thoughts. The response aspect asks patients to make conscious choices to stop engaging in compulsive behavior, even when triggered.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapyfocuses on learning to accept intrusive or negative thoughts rather than trying to push them away. The idea is that accepting these thoughts will decrease their hold on you.

One small study found that acceptance and commitment therapy was an effective way to manage OCD and scrupulosity specifically. After treatment, participants were 74% less likely to experience compulsions, and 79% less likely to engage in avoidant behavior. Effectiveness increased even more at three months, with an 80% reduction in compulsions and an 87% reduction in avoidant behavior.

Medication for Scrupulosity

OCD, including scrupulosity, can be effectively treated with medication. The main types of medications used to treat OCD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs used to treat OCD include fluoxetine (Prozac), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and paroxetine (Paxil).

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With treatment, scrupulosity and OCD in general can be managed. But OCD is a lifelong condition. People often find that their symptoms will ebb and flow, and can flare up when stressful or unusual life circumstances arise. If you have OCD, it’s important to stay in close touch with a mental health provider so that you can engage in further treatment or adjust your medication when needed.

The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.

Coping With Scrupulosity/OCD

Getting an OCD diagnosis can be a tough pill to swallow. But the truth is that learning what has been at the root of some of the turmoil you’ve lived with can be freeing, and knowing what is happening is the first step toward healing.

If you are coping with scrupulosity, there are many things you can do to get through your days, and become stronger and more resilient. Here are some ideas:

If you or a loved one are experiencing OCD and scrupulosity, you are not meant to handle this on your own. Please reach out to a mental health professional or your primary care physician to get your started on the road to recovery.

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9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Siev J, Rasmussen J, Sullivan ADW, et al.Clinical features of scrupulosity: Associated symptoms and comorbidity. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2021;77(1):173-188. doi:10.1002/jclp.23019

Dehlin JP, Morrison KL, Twohig MP.Acceptance and commitment therapy as a treatment for scrupulosity in obsessive compulsive disorder. Behavior Modification 2013;37(3):409-430. doi:10.1177/0145445512475134

Buchholz JL, Abramowitz JS, Riemann BC, et al.Scrupulosity, Religious Affiliation and Symptom Presentation in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. 2019;47(4):478-492. doi:10.1017/S1352465818000711

International OCD Foundation.What is OCD & Scrupulosity?

Brock H, Hany M.Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. StatPearls Publishing.

APA Dictionary of Psychology.Scrupulosity.

International OCD Foundation.Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

American Psychiatric Association.What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

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