OCD and the Holy Spirit

[Joya]

Wow, I did not know Alphonsus Liguori sufffered from OCD. I know St Therese of Lisieux had it, and Ignatius of Loyola.

Does anyone know of any other saints who had that?

How can I read about Alphonsus Liguori having OCD and what he did about it and went through? How did you find that out?

Thanks! I am curious now!

How do we know that St. Therese suffered from OCD? I actually think I came across some info on this years ago but don’t remember the source. She is my patron saint and I’d like to read up on this.

I find it fascinating that there seems to be a correlation between holy people and the tendency to suffer from OCD. Thoughts anyone?

 

[williamric]

How do we know that St. Therese suffered from OCD? I actually think I came across some info on this years ago but don’t remember the source. She is my patron saint and I’d like to read up on this.

I find it fascinating that there seems to be a correlation between holy people and the tendency to suffer from OCD. Thoughts anyone?

I have never noticed the correlation, although, I suppose the average OCD person is quite intense (i.e. they live with alot of intensity)… So they not gonna just live their Christian lives half-heartedly, they will pour themselves into it… making them holier then average … well anyway thats my theory

 

[bookgirl32]

Thanks, I just hate it cause it’s so distressing. I guess it’s like they say don’t think of a gray elephant, but then that’s all you can think of. and for me I keep thinking of not saying something bad, then it’s almost like my mind is daring me to. and it’s just weird.

any other advice would be appreciated.

Phil,

I also have OCD. There are therapies and drugs that can be very helpful. I would start with a good psychologist if you haven’t already. We can all tell you you’re not going to do what you’re worried about doing, but that isn’t really the issue. (and you’re not going to do what your’e worried about doing!) The more you ruminate about this thought the more bogged down you will get by it. The goal is to break the cycle of rumination.

Also a spiritual source that really helped me was “the Discernment of Spirits”, a book on the rules of St. Ignatius written by Gallagher, I think? It’s too late to go look right now, but that is the title (the cover of the book is purple).

 

[bookgirl32]

I have this, too. I can’t really say it is under control, either. It is just something I live with. I don’t have the rituals but I do have the fears and anxieties and thoughts I can’t shake out of my mind.

Mine are mostly fears for my children’s saftey, but I am occassionally a hypochondriac too. They are just terrible thoughts of, “I KNOW something bad will happen, and I KNOW I have a disease” that cannot be shaken by reason.

I even get the “feeling” about nothing, does that every happen to you?

 

[bookgirl32]

That is a difficult one, I know. ((((Emily2009))))

If it is affecting your spiritual/religious life, have you considered doing a combination of seeing a good psychologist and a good spiritual director? You could tell them upfront that you have OCD, that it is affecting your spiritual life, and you need both of them to help you handle this so that you can have a fulfilling spiritual life. Just make sure you see a psychologist who will respect your faith, and a spiritual director who knows what OCD is

This is the perfect combination! Try to get to a Catholic psychologist if possible. I’m in a situation where I can see a Catholic counseler who actually knows my spiritual director and they can work together. I often times feel like the work I’ve done with my spiritual director has greater impact than the therapy and the drugs, although there’s not reason to stop either of those either.

 

[Angels_Unaware]

I even get the “feeling” about nothing, does that every happen to you?

Sometimes, yes, I have no reason to feel afraid and I do. I also have PTSD, though, from growing up in extremely traumatic circumstances. I have never been able to really share it with people because I don’t want to make them uncomfortable. I just try to fit in.

I am very envious that you have found a spiritual director and a psychologist. I wish I had access to even one. I have searched for Catholic therapists and there are none in my area.

 

[Joya]

I have never noticed the correlation, although, I suppose the average OCD person is quite intense (i.e. they live with alot of intensity)… So they not gonna just live their Christian lives half-heartedly, they will pour themselves into it… making them holier then average … well anyway thats my theory

Thanks for the response. I agree with this!

 

[bookgirl32]

Sometimes, yes, I have no reason to feel afraid and I do. I also have PTSD, though, from growing up in extremely traumatic circumstances. I have never been able to really share it with people because I don’t want to make them uncomfortable. I just try to fit in.

I am very envious that you have found a spiritual director and a psychologist. I wish I had access to even one. I have searched for Catholic therapists and there are none in my area.

Is there a Catholic Social Services in your area? That’s a really good place to start!

 

[Robertsxxx]

Hi everyone,

I hope someone can help. I have OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), mostly confined to the Obsessive part of it, where I think obsessive thoughts. I have this very disturbing thought about what if I accidentally blaspheme the Holy Spirit or do it in my mind or something. I get really worried about this sometimes. It causes me much anguish. Sometimes it’s like my mind is playing tricks. It’s like if something is shocking or scary, my mind try to make me think it. It’s hard to explain. It’s like it so forbidden, that mind tries to keep going to it. HELP!!

Have you tried seeing a proffesional to help with your problem?

 

[Angeluzza]

How do we know that St. Therese suffered from OCD? I actually think I came across some info on this years ago but don’t remember the source. She is my patron saint and I’d like to read up on this.

I find it fascinating that there seems to be a correlation between holy people and the tendency to suffer from OCD. Thoughts anyone?

I have read over the years, from different sources that I cannot remember, that Therese had OCD. I apologize that my sources are not more verifiable, as I cannot remember them off hand.

But, if you remember her story, earlier in life she was far too scrupulous and prayed to her other brothers (sisters too?) who had died as infants or very young, for help. Scrupulosity is the religious form of OCD, as far as I am aware.

Also, later in life, when she was in the convent, she began to get doubts about the faith. At one point she even said that the thoughts she got were so wild that she would not want to tell them to anyone. She said how she made constant acts of faith to combat these thoughts, even writing the Apostles Creed I believe it was in her blood. On the wall by her bed, she carved that she loved God or believed in God. I cannot remember which,

All of this is OCD. She had thoughts she did not want and could not control, she fought them by thinking other thoughts, she was afraid to share her thoughts with others for fear of disturbing them…

That is how we know she had OCD

P.S. Try an internet search with the words “Saint Therese Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.” I tried one and a few things came up.

 

[Thobe]

Maybe we are in good company.

 

[bookgirl32]

It’s often pointed out to me that those who suffer from mental disorders are being allowed to share in the suffering of Jesus during the agony in the garden, where he was so anxious He was sweating blood. We are indeed in good company!

 

[Angeluzza]

It’s often pointed out to me that those who suffer from mental disorders are being allowed to share in the suffering of Jesus during the agony in the garden, where he was so anxious He was sweating blood. We are indeed in good company!

I like that.

 

[bookgirl32]

I like that.

It helps quite a bit.

 

[Emily2009]

Have any of you gotten incredibly scared and trembled, cried, if/when this gets bad?

Thanks, Phil, for this website mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupulosity.htm …

Is there any support group or anything? What if one does not have the money to pay for psychologist/testing, etc, is there any organization or anything that will help?

 

[AFCatholic]

I’m SO glad I came on TODAY!!! I have OCD and scrupulosity, and I can tell you DON’T be afraid to get help, in fact you should. Medication helps, but obviously rely on a professional for that help. Also Father Vincent here at CA and my parish priest are both AWESOME and have calmed me down more times than I can count.

It is tough to remember but Jesus suffered as much or more so mentally then physically, and if we can unite our suffering, and try to remember how small it is compared to what He went through, it helps. For whatever reason, this is the cross that we who have OCD must carry. But remind yourself that the Lord knows your thoughts and your heart, and knows that these thoughts you don’t want or mean. Above all, He knows your struggle, and when you reach out to Him in this struggle it must be very pleasing to Him. It also keeps you focused on Him and NOT on yourself, which is also a blessing. I will keep you all in my prayers, and I ask you pray for me. I would love a support group or something on this website, it’s so NICE to have other people who can relate.

God Bless
Kevin

 

[Inklingchick]

Hey,

There’s like a jillion Christian OCD sufferers out there, and your worry is CLASSIC. CLASSIC, I tell you. Actually your worry is more common among Protestants-- Catholics tend to obsess about not confessing EVERY SINGLE ONE of their sins in sufficient detail.

MANY resources out there, including scrupulosity support groups on the internet (one on Yahoogroups is called The Scrupe Group; however it’s run by a Lutheran pastor from a very Lutheran perspective; another yahoogroup is called Serenity Bay.)

The phenomenon of OCDers worrying that they’ve committed the unforgivable sin is so common that I cannot believe the pastor from the Scrupe Group isn’t weary of answering people who think they’ve committed it. Basically, from what I can tell, that sin is something like willfully refusing to recognize that the Holy Spirit was at work in the works of Christ while He was on earth. It is NOT a random thought that goes through your mind, but FINAL and WILFULL unbelief. Remember, right before your Savior talks about that sin, he says “All sins and blasphemies will be forgiven men.” All. That means that the unforgivable sin must be something like “refusing to seek forgiveness in Christ.” I think.

There’s also a really good book which I am in the middle of called “Can Christianity Cure Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?”

Yes, there is medication: OCD and scrupulosity have to do with our brains not processing a chemical called seratonin correctly, and the medicines, which include Zoloft and Prozac, are called selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors.

They’re not Catholic (neither am I) but Luther, John Bunyan, and Samuel Johnson also had OCD.

Learn about St. Therese of Lisieux-- read her autobiography-- think about her spiritual path, of turning entirely from her own ability to do good, be sane, or figure out her own thoughts, and just running to Jesus as a little child, knowing herself sinful but trusting completely in God’s mercy toward her and power to help her.

“Sanctity [is] a disposition of heart which is confident to the point of audacity in the goodness of our Father.”

–St. Therese

Trust Christ audaciously. You’re not alone. God knows how your brain is wired and this is not too big a problem for Him.