Patients Who Suffer From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Related "Scrupulosity" Successfully Treated at Remuda Ranch's Anxiety Program

Contact: Mary Anne Morrow, Blossom Communications Inc., 602-332-9026, PRMaryAnne@earthlink.net 

PHOENIX, Mar. 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Millions of Americans suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and some of those people suffer from an often misunderstood form of OCD called scrupulosity -- an excessive concern with sin that goes well beyond the norm for an individual's religious group. 

"As research and understanding of OCD increased, the term scrupulosity was applied to a subgroup of individuals who suffer from OCD," said David Wall, Ph.D., director of psychological services at Remuda Ranch (www.remudaranch.com).  "These individuals have intrusive obsessions about sin and/or blasphemy that is to a certain degree, a symptom of their OCD."

With OCD related scrupulosity there is evidence that differentiates fervent religious practices from scrupulosity.  This evidence includes:

• The individual's religious group sees the person as overly scrupulous
   
• The religious practice is based in fear, anxiety and constant doubt that are never resolved for more than a short time
   
• There is a driven feeling to the religious practices without any specific goal other than to cope with obsessive doubts and fears
   
• The spiritual practices are filled with self-imposed rigid rules that must be practiced perfectly
   
• There is often evidence of other types of OCD either in the past or concurrently.  For example, contamination, hoarding, checking

"OCD scrupulosity can be seen as healthy beliefs and activities taken to an unhealthy extreme," adds Dr. Wall.  "The OCD limits the person's ability to live a balanced, enjoyable life."

Remuda Ranch believes practicing one's faith is healthy.  However, when OCD takes healthy spiritual values and practices to an unhealthy level, the individual's life becomes filled with constant doubt, torment and endless rituals that never lead to emotional and spiritual well-being.

Because Remuda Ranch is a Christian faith-based treatment center, it can be especially effective in assessing and treating individuals who have OCD manifesting in scrupulosity and fears of blasphemy.  It is easier if the patient sees the provider as someone who shares his or her core beliefs and values.

Remuda Ranch uses a faith-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) approach.  Clinicians openly talk with the individual about issues of faith and wherever possible, discuss faith issues with the family.  Remuda seeks to understand what the patient's particular church or faith group believes, especially as it relates to the patient's scrupulosity and fears of blasphemy.

"Scrupulosity is particularly painful for individuals who suffer from it, because it strikes at core religious beliefs," said Dr. Wall.  "These individuals are filled with shame, they isolate themselves and may even contemplate suicide.  However, there is a lot of hope. Understanding OCD related scrupulosity and providing the right treatment gives these individuals what the Bible tells us we all need -- to be set free."

About Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders
Remuda Ranch offers Christian inpatient and residential programs for individuals of all faiths suffering from eating or anxiety disorders.  Each patient is treated by a multi-disciplinary team including a Psychiatric and a Primary Care Provider, Registered Dietitian, Masters Level therapist, Psychologist and Registered Nurse. The professional staff equips each patient with the right tools to live a healthy, productive life.  For more information, call 1-800-445-1900 or visit www.remudaranch.com.