OCD makes it near impossible to be a good Catholic

I've been doing more research on the ins and outs of Catholicism, and man are the guidelines very strict. They're not bad in any sense, and following them makes for a good person, but with ocd these guidelines seem near impossible to properly follow. For example, it's a mortal sin to have an impure thought, and commiting a mortal sin puts you in a state of sin. This means you cannot receive the eucharist (body of Christ) at mass, which is a way to connect closer to God. You have to confess in order to be free from mortal sin. This is fine and all, but this means in my case I'd have to confess almost every week, which can be so tiring. I'm not trying to bash on my own religion, but these guidelines make it so incredibly difficult for me to feel good about myself. Knowing I'm committing one of the worst forms of sin everyday. Intrusive thoughts are a constant thing, does that make me a child of sin? I even skipped mass today because I feel guilty about being in mortal sin, but skipping mass is also a mortal sin! I feel absolutely terrible about myself right now, and feel as if my connection with God has been cut and it's entirely my fault...

MS2003

Date posted: 12w

I pray everyday and understand where I've done wrong, but Catholicism would describe me as a terrible sinner. I feel so unworthy to be a child of God.. I want to do what I have to through confession and penance but with ocd it seems like it'll be a constant cycle of mortal sin and confession and guilt.. I'm terrible.

MS2003

Date posted: 12w

@MS2003 On another note I've taken communion while being in a state of mortal sin. I've skipped mass deliberately (mortal sin), but promised to make it up the next week by going which I did but I also took communion. Taking communion while in this state only makes it worse, so now my mind is spiraling and I feel as if I'm destined for hell :/

BeeBarf

Date posted: 12w

I get this. I might be biased as an atheist with religious trauma but it’s so freeing not to be religious. just my opinion!

MS2003

Date posted: 12w

@BeefBarf To me it's not something I can even consider, as I was raised Catholic and believe in the truth of God's existence and sacrifice. To become atheist is to deny God in His entirety, which is a huge sin

BeeBarf

Date posted: 12w

@MS2003 I understand you! For me it was the fear that kept me for so long, but honestly overtaking that fear can let you at least take a step back and look at the religon as a whole. again i am biased and im not gonna bash religon but i see it as a way to keep people “in line” with fear.

OCDWarr1or

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

I'm sure Catholicism considers thoughts that just come in and are not intentional, and thoughts that are intentional. You can't help a sexual thought for example from coming in your mind, but you can choose to ponder on it or not. Those two things don't seem to be the same thing. I'm not Catholic, but I do know the church has been around for a long time and thought through all of these things.

MS2003

Date posted: 12w

@HopeForToday I've pondered on a ton of my thoughts, even acted out because of some of them. I don't feel good about myself at all right now and feel as if my efforts to confess and repent will only cycle back to where I am now

OCDWarr1or

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

@MS2003 Well you'll have to consider how much 'pondering' is OCD. Rumination is only somewhat in our control. Some of it is, and some of it isn't. I find it hard to believe God would judge you for the times your brain is simply malfunctioning. I'm assuming you'd be judge when you intentionally sin.

analogueatom

Date posted: 12w

I'm a practicing Catholic, and I see where you're coming from. I have yet to confess to a priest about my OCD thoughts. Reason being is that intrusive thoughts are just that, intrusive, I don't purposely think of them and don't have any desire to act on them. The thoughts are not you. Don't give them any value. God knows your true heart and mind.

Sunshine_33

Date posted: 12w

This article really helped me and I hope it helps you too. https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/intrusive-thoughts-sinful It helps me to remember that God is compassionate and He recognizes the struggles of mental illness. I’m sure he hates to see any of his children struggling or suffering. God bless you.

Sesamoi

Date posted: 23w

Catholicism

Hey, I’ve been trying to grow in my Catholic faith, but my ocd makes it very hard. I read a passage about a saint going through a great ordeal and start panicking that I need to give up everything and be martyred painfully. I seem to always hyperfocus on unhelpful book passages that make me afraid of God and see Him as a tyrant. I admire those who can read others words on faith, but I get suicidal, self harm, or turn away from God because I get sucked in so deep. That’s the obsessive part of ocd. Do you have any tips on how to get past this?

Teresa1

Date posted: 19w

Listening to my confessor even though I doubt

I have terrible ocd. Lots of different subtypes but the one that bothers me most is religious ocd. The advice I've been given is to go to only one priest for confession (I'm Catholic) and to listen to his advice. I've been doing that lately and I'm actually taking his advice (like, for example, that if I committed a mortal sin, I'd know for sure.. When there's doubt about whether or not I've done smth wrong, it's likely not mortal and I can recieve communion). I've read that this is good advice for scrupulous ppl. So I'm finally taking his advice but it's so scary! My biggest fear is receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin.. But I need to trust what the priest is telling me. Any other Catholics in this situation? I'm proud of myself for actually taking his advice but it's terrifying at the same time..What if I'm fooling myself and can't admit to myself that I actually did commit a mortal sin, but he sees it as doubt..like, I don't know if I'm doubting I've sinned or if I'm in denial about sinning.. If anyone knows what I mean..I also realize that full will needs to be involved in mortal sin and the presence of doubt is often a sign that even if I did sin, it wasn't fully willful so that's why it's not mortal.. But I'm still unsure and afraid. But that's probably cuz I have ocd and anxiety. Lol.. I'm just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation.. And if it gets easier to listen to your confessor's advice even though it's scary and not what your OCD wants.

Religion & Spirituality OCD

Anonymous

Date posted: 14w

Religious OCD, ashamed of my thoughts

I am a christian guy who grew up in a christian community and family. For as long as i remember, ive had horrible thoughts about all kinds of things that i dont know where to begin. Due to my extreme thoughts, i feel as if i am unworthy of practicing my religioin, such as praying, reading, meditating, etc. I feel ashamed when i go to church, as if i dont belong there because i feel like i am secretely evil, and that God knows i am evil and i am committing blasphemy by going there, and refusing to "repent", from my thoughts. But then again, my thoughts are just thoughts, sure. So whats the problem? - The problem is that in my faith, i have been taught that we must control our thoughts, so they do not get power over us to make us commit sin. Such as "If you think lustfully about a woman, you have already committed adultery with her in your heart". This verse has killed my self esteem, due to the constant unwanted sexual and disturbing thoughts. It makes me feel like a monster, who secretely just wants to abuse and be horrible to people, even though i know very well i do not want this. Sometimes i think horrible things about the people i love very much, such as my girlfriend. It feels so wrong and evil, even though i know it isnt my true will.

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OCD makes it near impossible to be a good Catholic

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