Do I need to punish myself for sins?

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I committed some sins (could be mortal, I’m not sure. I don’t know much about this) while I was on a 14 day mandatory quarantine that I just looked back on to today. Confession is available for me (I think) but not until Tuesday at The earliest.

I just wanted to know if I have to punish myself for these sins. Like for example I skipped lunch today (Intrusive thoughts likely caused me to do this), should I also skip supper? And/or should I not do anything I enjoy until I confess? i just remembered them recently, and it caused me some confusion, and some fear.

Whenever I think of penance, or punishing myself for sins, my brain immediately goes to skipping meals, as it causes me a good amount of discomfort. And I always think it’s God telling me to do this, and that if I disobey, I’ll go to hell.

Also should I beat myself up over them until I confess? I often feel guilty knowing I could’ve potentially committed a mortal sin, and feeling totally normal after realizing I did wrong, and intend to go to confession.

I’m trying to avoid asking these types of questions on here, but I have no one else to ask, or talk to about this.
 
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What you are describing sounds like a mental health problem for which you need to seek professional help. I could say more, but we are not allowed to give that kind of advice on here. Please speak to a doctor, psychologist, counselor, etc. Please also speak to an understanding priest. You should not starve yourself on account of perceived sins. Perhaps @edward_george1 can help.
 
They may not be perceived, I know I committed them. I just kinda held them off until it hit me today.
And it likely is a mental health problem. I’m pretty certain I have OCD, I’m not diagnosed so I’m not 100% sure, I just show quite a few signs. My problem is determining wether I’m just being crazy, or rational. I sort of don’t think I should starve myself (even though going the rest of the night without eating won’t kill me, and it’ll be a penance that actually causes me quite a bit of discomfort I guess)

Thanks for your reply. God Bless.
 
It sounds like this may be related to OCD or scrupulosity.
Please talk to your mental health doctor or counselor.
Also, when it is possible, please discuss with a priest whether you have possible scruples.

We cannot talk to you on here because we are not allowed to give medical advice and also, we have been advised that it is not helpful to the condition of persons with OCD/ scruples for us to discuss such sin questions on here with them.

God Bless
 
Ok, I whole heartily understand that. Thank you for the reply.

I guess I’ll likely go through with the punishment thing, as penance I guess. It obviously won’t kill me, but I’m just not sure if it was mandatory.

I’ll try to book a confession and meeting tomorrow with my priest, thanks again for the reply. God Bless.
 
God desires that you tell Him you are sincerely sorry, that you desire to love and serve Him, and that you have a firm commitment not to sin again. That’s all that is required before you can get to confession. Say an act of contrition slowly and mean every word. Then be at peace and look forward to Confession.
 
A priest on a YouTube video I watched recommended giving your self some sort of penance though. Though my brain immediately tells me to do the hardest thing I can think of most of the time.
 
And I’ve only ever been to confession, should I read off all of my sins in a prayer like I’m in confession, or should I just say I’m sorry? I’ve never done this before.
 
Username7 said:
I guess I’ll likely go through with the punishment thing, as penance I guess.
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In your original post you mentioned “starving” yourself. You should not be starving yourself. It’s difficult to know what to say, as we are not allowed to give certain kinds of advice here, but it makes me worried that you are talking about starving yourself. This sounds like something for which you should definitely seek professional help.
 
I’m not really starving myself, I mis-worded it, sorry. I also blew it way out of proportion, as I was kind a wound up when writing it. It’s just skipping supper (tonight, as penance), rest assured I’ll be ok. (I’ve done it many times). I’m a healthy young man. I’m certain it won’t kill me.

Besides, this is an extremely light penance from what I understand compared to what people in the middle ages did.

I’m also talking to a therapist this Friday, and I’m hopefully going to meet with my priest sometime this week as well. I’ll discuss these questions with them.

I appreciate your concern, God Bless. Stay safe, and healthy.
 
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