Scrupulosity and medication

  • Thread starter Thread starter TwoNames
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TwoNames

Guest
Hello friends!

This summer my scrupulosity went berserk. I have a history of anxiety and depression and was on AD medication for about 5 years and since I was doing good, I was allowed to quit my meds (about a year ago) and it was fine for a few months until the summer started. I started experiencing OCD (something I never experienced before) and it is worse than depression / anxiety (both of which I experienced) **combined **- at least for me.

Especially the scrupulosity that came with it… Let’s just say that my poor confessor is being a white martyr for listening to my confessions of my past life with all the extreme details - which I am too afraid to omit, because I feel as my confessions are invalid and can’t go against the fear.

My question - has anyone experienced scrupulosity & was medicated with AD (like zoloft)? Did it get better? I hope it gets better.

thank you all
 
TwoNames said:
Hello friends!

This summer my scrupulosity went berserk. I have a history of anxiety and depression and was on AD medication for about 5 years and since I was doing good, I was allowed to quit my meds (about a year ago) and it was fine for a few months until the summer started. I started experiencing OCD (something I never experienced before) and it is worse than depression / anxiety (both of which I experienced) **combined **- at least for me.

Especially the scrupulosity that came with it… Let’s just say that my poor confessor is being a white martyr for listening to my confessions of my past life with all the extreme details - which I am too afraid to omit, because I feel as my confessions are invalid and can’t go against the fear.

My question - has anyone experienced scrupulosity & was medicated with AD (like zoloft)? Did it get better? I hope it gets better.

thank you all
Click to expand...
I have a 14 yr old granddaughter with ADHD who has been on meds since she was 6. They allow her to take breaks from the meds, but when she does the obsessions and scrupulosity symptoms reappear after a while and she has extreme anxiety. She did see a psychiatrist for the anxiety, and behavioral therapy, and that has helped tremendously, and a lot of physical exercise helps (she trains and swims) but she still needs meds for school. She is not on antidepressants, though, she is on another med that works very well. She is not depressed, even thorough the anxiety.

I will tell you though, that about 25 years ago I experienced a severe clinical depression, and I had a lot of obsessive thoughts which kept me awake all night, which made the depression worse because of lack of sleep. After I started on the antidepressants, the obsessive thoughts did stop, as well as the depression. So yes, that worked for me. The depression I had was self-limiting, and I was able to wean off the antidepressant and it has not recurred. If you are on an antidepressant, do NOT abruptly stop it–without consulting your physician. But yes, for me the antidepressant did help the obsession.
 
God bless you CB Catholic . May God bless You, Your granddaughter and Your whole family.
 
Although I have been on Paxil and Wellbutrin, I still get anxious and depressed. When my counselor suggested my doctor to increase the dosage, I told him that no amount of medication would help as long as I hear about the terrible things that keep happening.

One of the worse things is when I hear of cruelty to animals. Of course, it’s that way, too, when I hear of cruelty to innocent children and others.

It is reality that triggers it, and the counselor thinks I am tender-hearted.

As far as scrupulosity is concerned, yes, I suppose I am a bit scrupulous thinking that God could never consider me as being anything special. Two different priests told me I may be a “little bit scrupulous” but never said what to do about it.
 
Arizona_Fat_Gir said:
Although I have been on Paxil and Wellbutrin, I still get anxious and depressed. When my counselor suggested my doctor to increase the dosage, I told him that no amount of medication would help as long as I hear about the terrible things that keep happening.

One of the worse things is when I hear of cruelty to animals. Of course, it’s that way, too, when I hear of cruelty to innocent children and others.

It is reality that triggers it, and the counselor thinks I am tender-hearted.

As far as scrupulosity is concerned, yes, I suppose I am a bit scrupulous thinking that God could never consider me as being anything special. Two different priests told me I may be a “little bit scrupulous” but never said what to do about it.
Click to expand...
Ah yes. I know what you mean about cruelty to animals. For some reason I get extremely upset if someone even mentions what he/she heard or saw. I know how you feel about that.

I have a full blown scrupulosity. Right now, it’s not too bad, but last week I had to go to confession three times, because for some reason I could not accept the first two confessions as valid. I still cant. When I was depressed, I could still “feel” God’s love somewhere deep down… But scrupulosity takes GOD away. May God help us who suffer from scrupulosity.
 
I was at a point that my scrupulosity was so unbearable, than I’m thinking back and knowing that I was very irrational, but I never to medication.

I think what lessened it a bit was a very firm and solemn demand that the priest commanded. He forbidded me from doing a scrupulous thing I was in OCD in, involving the Eucharistic reverence.
Obviously, since the scrupulous person acts out of fear and not love, I obeyed out of fear, and I was “forced” out a little from being extremely scrupulous to the point of being just scrupulous. So I guess letting the confessor (as long as he’s holy and knows the Faith well) literally be your conscience is a good way without medication, as medication can have other harmful effects in the future. Another way is going to a catholic therapist and having your therapist work with your confessor to tend to your spiritual and mental health
 
By all means talk to your doctor and let him or her know about your anxiety and depression. Medicines like Paxil, Zoloft, etc, can greatly reduce these symptoms and improve many areas of your life. In addition, talk to a psychologist and tell them what you are experiencing - you will learn how to approach things differently and can give yourself the break you deserve !
There’s no shame and the Church approves of seeking help in these matters, so there’s no good reason not to.
God Bless, praying for you…
 
What are you doing besides medication to control your anxiety? Are you getting some fresh air, sunshine, exercise, social time?

Don’t just rely on the meds.
 
Inositol is something people have success with for OCD. It’s a natural supplement.

But talk to a doctor if mixing and matching…

In my slightly more qualified theological opinion, you have to realize that we are living after the Fall… We don’t have perfect control of ourselves, and what we really can’t control we can’t be held accountable for. Things we can only control a little bit, like certain kinds of thoughts, we can only be held a little bit accountable for.
 
Yes, thanks for all the replies. Currently I’m not taking anything for my problems. I take walks and am active sport-wise. I also try to have a company of friends, but that’s a bit harder to do…

Thanks for all the advice and prayers!
GBU All.
 
robertmidwest said:
What are you doing besides medication to control your anxiety? Are you getting some fresh air, sunshine, exercise, social time?

Don’t just rely on the meds.
Click to expand...
Wise wise words. I get low with this illness and always make myself get OUT. Just walking round the outside of the house in the wind, with the dog, pottering in the garden… Stirring the circulation, breathing deeply… looking at the sky, watching the birds… I make sure I am out of breath several times a day.

Body and mind are so closely interwoven.

Read somewhere re oxygen therapy? Anyone heard of that?
 
  1. I do not believe that medications will help with scruples, because it is caused by an irrational conscience. Perhaps seek a Catholic spiritual director?
  2. I have strong bias against antidepressants (SSRI’s) due to bad personal experiences with side-effects. It certainly DID NOT make me feel better.
  3. Research the side-effects of the drug in order to make an informed decision about taking it (with a prescription from a medical practitioner).
 
Clinical therapists and psychiatrists seldom use it, but quieting the mind can be very beneficial. Having multiple mental issues, it has helped me a lot. For me, it’s an additional treatment along with meds and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It’s easier said than done, but if you guys work at it, it can have many spiritual benefits. A book called The Cloud of Unknowing introduced me to its positive spiritual value. My psychiatrist wants me to exercise more, but I believe training myself in Contemplative prayer is far more important.
 
Robert_Sock said:
Clinical therapists and psychiatrists seldom use it, but quieting the mind can be very beneficial. Having multiple mental issues, it has helped me a lot. For me, it’s an additional treatment along with meds and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It’s easier said than done, but if you guys work at it, it can have many spiritual benefits. A book called The Cloud of Unknowing introduced me to its positive spiritual value. My psychiatrist wants me to exercise more, but I believe training myself in Contemplative prayer is far more important.
Click to expand...
Your psych is right.Exercise releases endorphins which kill depression. Even ill as I am I aim to gt out of breath several times a day to gain that effect. It really works. And you get to live longer too . keeping your heart supple and strong. Gardening is grand, walking the dog,
 
Zerg said:
  1. I do not believe that medications will help with scruples, because it is caused by an irrational conscience. Perhaps seek a Catholic spiritual director?
  2. I have strong bias against antidepressants (SSRI’s) due to bad personal experiences with side-effects. It certainly DID NOT make me feel better.
  3. Research the side-effects of the drug in order to make an informed decision about taking it (with a prescription from a medical practitioner).
Click to expand...
I took zoloft for almost 5 years, before… I know the side effects. I understand how a bad irrational consicence can makes everything look mortally sinful, but that is not my #1 problem. My #1 problem is a doubt of my confessions being valid. I’m pretty desperate… thank God I woke up today with a bit more clarity, but the peace has faded once more.
 
TwoNames said:
I took zoloft for almost 5 years, before… I know the side effects. I understand how a bad irrational consicence can makes everything look mortally sinful, but that is not my #1 problem. My #1 problem is a doubt of my confessions being valid. I’m pretty desperate… thank God I woke up today with a bit more clarity, but the peace has faded once more.
Click to expand...
Just continue to patiently see your priest, and your doctor as you see fit.
Just trust him.
Jesus told Faustina and other saints, obedience and trust are paramount. You can’t rely on your own power and judgement to save yourself, you must submit to the pastoral care of others. Everyone has to do this. None of us save ourselves.

Abandon your doubts to your confessor and be patient.
And like another poster said, get out of the house.
Go to the gym. Feed some pigeons.
Go to the nursing home and visit elderly.
Trim the bushes at the parish.

Let God and his priest handle your soul.
 
Regarding medication - one needs to discuss with a doctor - we cannot give such advice.

I will re-post another older post of mine (general information regarding scrupulosity)

A person struggles with scruples - what ought they do?

A person with scrupulosity --ought to have a* “regular confessor” who can direct them --and even give them some general principles* to follow -to apply (principles for them due to their particular scruples -they are usually not for those with a normal conscience).

Thus with their direction they can “dismiss scruples” (in the older language despise them) - “act against them”.

Scruples are to be dismissed ~ not argued with.

To borrow and image from a Carthusian from centuries ago: Scruples *are like a barking dog or a hissing goose -one does not stop to argue with a barking dog or a hissing goose does one? * No one keeps walking.

Such ‘obedience’ to a regular confessor who knows of ones scruples (except in what is manifest sin - such as if he told them it was ok to murder someone or something certain like that) is key. Such is the age old practice.

Also counseling -(especially if one also has OCD) could be helpful depending on the case -but one would want to look for a counselor who can assist one in following the Churches Teachings - not go contrary to them (I have heard CA staff mention catholictherapists.com/)

Here was a not too long ago post from Jimmy Akin of CA that I saw in the Register and saved for those who struggle with such.

ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/6-tools-for-the-scrupulous
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top