OCD - Examining Conscience

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PeteZaHut

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I have some obsessive compulsive tendencies, and it can make it really difficult to examine my conscience. I find myself constantly thinking Was that a sin? Was it mortal or venial? Do I need to go to confession? Is it okay to receive communion right now? I know what constitutes mortal sin but it can be difficult to decide. Any tips?
 
Hi! I have the same issues. I am taking meds for my OCD (Luvox), which has helped immensely, like night and day. But I still worry.

The best advice I can give is: Trust your confessor. If he tells you something’s not a mortal sin, then it’s not. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have a good solid confessor, not a far-left disssident. But, in my experience at least (admittedly I’m in a good diocese), most confessors will not steer you wrong re this.

Remember, also, that if you don;t know whether it’s a mortal or venial sin, then it’s not! “Full knowledge” is one of the criteria.

More later–gotta run. But just wanted to say: Have you looked ito Scrupulous Anonymous, run by the Redemptorists? I understand it’s excellent.
 
Hi! I have the same issues. I am taking meds for my OCD (Luvox), which has helped immensely, like night and day. But I still worry.

The best advice I can give is: Trust your confessor. If he tells you something’s not a mortal sin, then it’s not. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have a good solid confessor, not a far-left disssident. But, in my experience at least (admittedly I’m in a good diocese), most confessors will not steer you wrong re this.

Remember, also, that if you don;t know whether it’s a mortal or venial sin, then it’s not! “Full knowledge” is one of the criteria.

More later–gotta run. But just wanted to say: Have you looked ito Scrupulous Anonymous, run by the Redemptorists? I understand it’s excellent.
no i haven’t. what is that? thanks for your post
 
When you are confessing you are talking to Jesus. He knows what is in your heart. Be as good about mentioning sins as you can be, and don’t worry if they are veniel or mortal- just confess. Let the confessor guide you. If you are being scrupulous, then the priest may tell you something to that effect.
I once mentioned to a priest that sometimes I wonder if my past confessions were accurate (meaning I may have missed things). He said that you can include something in your confession that covers all past sins. “I am sorry for these sins, and all sins I have committed against You, etc”. So, surely, if you are worried then this will cover it all, over and over again! The main thing is that you are there making a genuine effort to be honest. None of us are perfect and God knows that. God bless you and help you through this!
 
He said that you can include something in your confession that covers all past sins. “I am sorry for these sins, and all sins I have committed against You, etc”. So, surely, if you are worried then this will cover it all, over and over again!
Not to nit pick your post, but mortal sins have to be confessed by name and number. what if you confess by saying and all the sins I have forgotten. then I remember a sin later? That’s the kind of thinking I get myself in to.
 
Sit down, examine your life, and make a list of all mortal sins you are unsure if you confessed. Bring that list with you to your next confession and state that you are unsure if you confessed these so you will confess them now. I have done this a few times and at least you’ll know that it’s out of the way.

I struggle with scruples pertaining to worthiness and wondering if I’m sorry/repentent enough. I won’t go to confession for a whole month and a half sometimes because I think that I’m just not repentent enough. During the same time frame I will abstain from recieving the Eucharist because of my thinking that my gluttonous behavior regarding distractions is too mortal and I want to truly be ready for a new start and really understand in my heart how I offended God. Needless to say, my confessor reminded me again that I don’t need to go to this extreme before confessing.
 
Sit down, examine your life, and make a list of all mortal sins you are unsure if you confessed. Bring that list with you to your next confession and state that you are unsure if you confessed these so you will confess them now. I have done this a few times and at least you’ll know that it’s out of the way.

I struggle with scruples pertaining to worthiness and wondering if I’m sorry/repentent enough. I won’t go to confession for a whole month and a half sometimes because I think that I’m just not repentent enough. During the same time frame I will abstain from recieving the Eucharist because of my thinking that my gluttonous behavior regarding distractions is too mortal and I want to truly be ready for a new start and really understand in my heart how I offended God. Needless to say, my confessor reminded me again that I don’t need to go to this extreme before confessing.
I would be careful with delaying a trip to communion. We should always get mortal sin off our soul as soon as possible.
 
I also run into stuff that I am pretty sure I have already confessed but am not 100% sure.
 
I have some obsessive compulsive tendencies, and it can make it really difficult to examine my conscience. I find myself constantly thinking Was that a sin? Was it mortal or venial? Do I need to go to confession? Is it okay to receive communion right now? I know what constitutes mortal sin but it can be difficult to decide. Any tips?
Find a good confessor, and tell him about your problems. Look for a good examination of conscience- either online, or in your church. Go to the church early enough to give yourself time to pray for guidance and think about each commandment and precept- and how you may have broken them–and how you’re going to try to correct the problem so that it doesn’t happen again. Go to confession when you’re ready (don’t dwell on things too much, if you go to confession regularly, the examination of conscience shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes or so at the most). Don’t second guess yourself- you know your faith and you know your sincerity about it.
 
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