Scrupulosity
Scrupulosity
Scrupulosity (pronounced skroo-pyuh-los-i-tee) is a psychological disorder characterized by pathological guilt about moral or religious issues. It is personally distressing, objectively dysfunctional, and often accompanied by significant impairment in social functioning. It is typically conceptualized as a moral or religious form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), although this categorization is empirically disputable.
Etymology
The term "scrupulosity" is derived from the Latin word "scrupulum", a sharp stone, suggesting a stabbing pain on the conscience. Scrupulum was also used to mean a unit of weight in ancient Rome, and it was metaphorically applied to indicate a small amount of doubt or unease.
Symptoms
Scrupulosity is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to religious or moral fears. These fears often revolve around the fear of committing a sin or displeasing God. Individuals with scrupulosity often engage in excessive praying, confessing, and seeking reassurance from religious figures. They may also avoid situations that they fear may lead them to sin or violate their moral or religious principles.
Related Terms
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A chronic disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.
- Moral Injury: A profound psychological distress which results from actions, or the lack of them, which violate one's moral or ethical code.
- Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS): A condition experienced by people who are struggling with leaving an authoritarian, dogmatic religion and coping with the damage of indoctrination.
Treatment
Treatment for scrupulosity typically involves cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP). This involves gradually and repeatedly facing the thoughts, images, and situations that make the person anxious until their anxiety decreases. Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be used.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Scrupulosity
- Wikipedia's article - Scrupulosity
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