I’ve been struggling with something deeply painful and overwhelming. It is Religious OCD, and it’s affecting every part of my life. I feel like I’m losing myself. Even in my sleep, I find no rest. The intrusive thoughts are constant—they never stop—and I wake up exhausted every day because my mind keeps running. I also often break down in secret.
Earlier I broke down in front of my mom and told her what I’ve been going through. I couldn’t carry it on my own anymore. I explained that I’ve been struggling with OCD since I was 13, and it has only gotten worse as I’ve gotten older. I’m 17 now. But the truth is, the symptoms started much earlier—around age 9. I kept it hidden for so long because I knew our family was going through financial hardships, and I didn’t want to be a burden.
Now, OCD has taken the form of Religious OCD. I constantly feel like my thoughts, feelings, or even normal actions are sinful. My brain keeps throwing dark, unwanted “what if” thoughts at me—thoughts I never wanted or chose. I try to ignore them, but they just come back stronger. While I was opening up to her about my Religious OCD, I noticed I kept seeking reassurance. I feel bad and guilty about it.
My mom cried in front of me and it's breaking me. She tried her best to comfort me, and I truly appreciate that. But I could tell she was confused and overwhelmed. I tried to explain that OCD isn’t just about stress or overthinking—it’s a real mental health condition. Still, she told me maybe I don’t really have OCD, and that I’ve just convinced myself I do because I spend too much time online. That really hurt. I’m not making this up. I’m not doing this for attention. I don’t want these thoughts—they are not who I am.
It’s painful when people say, “it’s all in your head,” as if I can just stop thinking about it and be fine. I wish it were that simple. But that’s not how OCD works. It’s not just “overthinking”—it’s a cycle that traps you, and even when you know what’s happening, it still feels impossible to escape.
I feel guilty and ashamed. I know my mom is worried, and I know she loves me. She’s also afraid that people will think I’m crazy. She even told me that if this continues, I might have to stop college. That crushed me. I don’t want to let her down. I don’t want to make life harder for anyone. I love my mom, and it broke me to yell at her—I was just desperate for her to understand.
Sometimes, I’ve even thought about leaving my religion—not because I want to, but because I feel so tormented by these thoughts. I love God. I want to feel close to Him again, without fear and anxiety. But Religious OCD has made me question everything, and that’s what hurts the most.
What I need right now is understanding, not judgment. I need someone to believe me when I say this is real. That OCD is a mental disorder, and that Religious OCD is one of its many subtypes. It slowly takes my faith—something sacred—and turns it into a source of fear, guilt, and anxiety.
I desperately want to get better. I want therapy, but I know we can’t afford it right now. I even thought about going to church and wanted to ask for help—but I’m scared they won’t understand my Religious OCD either, just like my mom. I want to talk to a counselor, but I don’t know where to find one. I don’t know where to begin. I feel so helpless, hopeless, and alone.
I try to stay strong, but I feel like I’m drowning. I’m exhausted. Sometimes, I even think about giving up entirely, because I don’t know if I’ll ever get better. I’m scared that I’m starting to develop depression on top of everything. I’m scared that if this continues, I’ll lose my mind completely and end up somewhere I don’t belong. And that fear alone is killing me inside.
I just want to feel better. I want peace. I want my mind back. I want my relationship with God to feel safe again.
Please—if you’re reading this and you understand, or you can help, or even just listen without judging—please, help me find a way forward.