Religious Trauma and OCD

Why do so many cult survivors have obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Cult survivors might not be aware that religious trauma often coexists with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This connection can be challenging to understand, so take your time to read through this post. If you struggle with OCD and religious trauma, knowing that this association is common can be reassuring.

First, let's clarify what OCD is. According to the DSM-5, the diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals, OCD comprises two main components: “obsessions” and “compulsions.” Having just one of these is sufficient for a diagnosis. Both obsessions and compulsions can consume significant amounts of time and disrupt daily life. Here’s a brief overview:

Obsessions:

Obsessions are involuntary, persistent thoughts, images, or urges that feel intrusive and unwelcome. They often cause distress, leading individuals to try to ignore or suppress them. For example, someone might struggle with troubling thoughts about a loved one facing damnation or feel tempted by a spiritual force. One way to alleviate the anxiety caused by these obsessions is to engage in compulsion.

Compulsions:

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to relieve intense anxiety in the moment. These can range from typical actions like washing hands to behaviors such as praying or silently repeating certain phrases. What distinguishes compulsions is their excessive and irrational nature, aimed specifically at reducing distress in the moment. For instance, someone might clasp their hands repeatedly or mentally repeat “save me” whenever they feel anxious, even if it only provides temporary relief.

How do OCD and religious trauma relate?

Now that we’ve defined obsessions and compulsions, let's explore the link between OCD and religious trauma.

In earlier posts about the impacts of religious trauma on emotional and relational development, I discussed how concepts of sin, hell, and evangelism can lead to heightened vigilance and distrust in one’s environment. Essentially, religious trauma creates a sense of constant insecurity, as individuals can't escape their own troubling thoughts, perceived malevolent spiritual forces, or the fear of eternal damnation.

In strict religious settings, followers might constantly doubt whether they have truly earned God's favor unless they act in a virtuous manner and avoid sinful behavior. This can lead to a persistent state of hypervigilance, where one fears falling out of God’s favor unless they adhere to rigid, perfectionistic standards. This explains why religious trauma often aligns with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Imagine someone who is always wary of demonic influences or succumbing to “fleshly sins”—this state of constant apprehension could lead to significant anxiety. Such frightening thoughts about doctrine can become obsessive, prompting individuals to engage in compulsive behaviors as a means of managing their anxiety.

What can you do now?

If you feel that religious trauma is contributing to your obsessive and/or compulsive symptoms, there are several steps you can take toward healing. You can consider booking a consultation with me to explore your options for online or in-person individual therapy (available only to California residents) or read more about religious trauma and how it affects emotional development and sexual repression. Ultimately, you are not alone in your journey to reclaim your power and control after religious trauma.

This post was inspired by my original blog post for Woven Together Trauma Therapy.