Comprehensive Analysis of Undiagnosed OCD wit...

Comprehensive Analysis of Undiagnosed OCD with Religious Obsession in Young Adult

Author Name : Vaani Charyari, Prof (Dr). Nishi Fatma

ABSTRACT Scrupulosity — a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) featuring religious obsessions — is frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood, particularly within the context of the competing cultural and religious backgrounds. Scrupulosity is characterized by intrusive thoughts about moral or religious violations, which drives people to repeat a sequence of religious rituals in an attempt to quell anxiety. Unfortunately, scrupulosity tends to overlap with genuine religious practices, with the result that scrupulosity often passes as a genuine concern about spirituality. This study explores undiagnosed OCD where there are religious obsessions, as well as reasons why people with such obsessions might avoid seeking a diagnosis and/or treatment. The current research utilizes a mixed methods design in which surveys of OCD symptoms are combined with case studies of individuals with specific religious compulsions. The findings reveal a profound distress and social isolation in these individuals with scrupulosity, often combined with misdiagnosis and delays in treatment. The study called for culturally accessible diagnostic and treatment models, underscoring Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as effective forms of treatment for religious scrupulosity. It calls for greater awareness on the part of health care providers and religious leaders, and it suggests that more research is needed on mental health in the context of religion and culture.