Moral OCD

Moral OCD — also known as Scrupulosity — is a subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder where the person is consumed with fears about being immoral, unethical, or "bad." It involves intrusive thoughts about whether one’s actions, thoughts, or intentions are morally wrong, and compulsions aimed at gaining certainty or absolution.

 Common Obsessions in Moral OCD

• “What if I lied and didn’t realize it?”
• “What if I hurt someone’s feelings and I’m a bad person?”
• “What if I’m secretly racist/sexist/harmful in some way?”
• “What if my intentions weren’t pure?”
• Obsessive guilt over minor mistakes, past behaviors, or even harmless thoughts

Common Compulsions

• Excessive apologizing or confessing
• Mentally reviewing past actions or intentions ("Did I mean to hurt them?")
• Seeking reassurance ("Do you think I’m a good person?")
• Avoiding situations where a moral mistake could occur
• Excessive researching of ethical rules or religious texts