When Faith Feels Like Fear: Religious OCD Explained | Get to know OCD Ep 29

Scrupulosity, or religious OCD, twists faith into fear, trapping individuals in relentless cycles of guilt, shame, and self-doubt. Intrusive thoughts like “am I a sinner?” or “did I commit an unforgivable act?” fuel compulsions — endless prayers, confessions, or mental checks — that only tighten OCD’s grip.

In this episode, Dr. Ted Witzig — a psychologist and ordained minister — joins us to unpack this complex and often misunderstood OCD subtype. Through his unique blend of clinical expertise and spiritual insight, Dr. Witzig offers compassion, clarity, and practical guidance to help untangle faith from fear and reclaim a life of peace.

Struggling with scrupulosity? Have questions? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more about our best-in-care treatment options.

Show notes:

0:00 Intro

1:39 Ted’s unique background

5:49 Understanding scrupulosity

8:15 Scrupulosity is NOT a faith problem

17:43 Ted treats all faiths

21:05 The role of ERP when treating scrupulosity

27:38 Anxiety hierarchies

34:24 Opportunity for clinicians and families to work together

39:02 The problem with online checking

41:03 The tricks OCD likes playing

46:42 Ted’s parting advice

50:43 How to reach Ted

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