Scrupulosity

In general, people with scrupulosity have poor [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder#Insight and overvalued ideation|insight]], meaning that they cannot fully acknowledge that their behavior is irrationally motivated.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}}{{sfn|Siev|Huppert|Zuckerman|2017|p=531}} Patients have difficulty interpreting normal moral frameworks and may associate unrelated actions with moral behaviors based on [[gut feeling]]s.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}} This poor awareness may be associated with an overload in mental energy expense, causing a lack of clear mental imagery which disallows for ready interpretation. This in turn leads to an inability to process a large influx of thoughts and leads to chronic worrying.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|pp=1045–1046}}

In general, people with scrupulosity have poor [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder#Insight and overvalued ideation|insight]], meaning that they cannot fully acknowledge that their behavior is irrationally motivated.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}}{{sfn|Siev|Huppert|Zuckerman|2017|p=531}} Patients have difficulty interpreting normal moral frameworks and may associate unrelated actions with moral behaviors based on [[gut feeling]]s.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}} This poor awareness may be associated with an overload in mental energy expense, causing a lack of clear mental imagery which disallows for ready interpretation. This in turn leads to an inability to process a large influx of thoughts and leads to chronic worrying.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|pp=1045–1046}}

Patients also interpret moral precepts with exceptional severity, even when religious language is intentionally exaggerated for effect.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}} The misalignment of intent and interpretation by the patient leads to further disorientation.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}} Similarly, the vast majority of those with scrupulosity feel that their symptoms interfere with their relationship with God.{{sfn|Siev|Huppert|2016|p=45}} [[Magical thinking]] is also more prominent among individuals with scrupulosity than other forms of OCD.{{multiref|{{harvnb|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1051}}.|{{harvnb|Siev|Huppert|Zuckerman|2017|p=531}}.|{{harvnb|Abramowitz|Jacoby|2014|p=141}}.}}

Patients also interpret moral precepts with exceptional severity, even when religious language is intentionally exaggerated for effect.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}} The misalignment of intent and interpretation by the patient leads to further disorientation.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}} Similarly, the vast majority of those with scrupulosity feel that their symptoms interfere with their relationship with God.{{sfn|Siev|Huppert|2016|p=45}}

While virtually no religion requires perfection from their adherents, people with scrupulosity feel an excessive need for [[perfectionism (psychology)|perfectionism]], including outside their religious symptoms.{{sfn|Fergus|Valentiner|2012|p=105}} [[Magical thinking]] is also more prominent among individuals with scrupulosity than other forms of OCD.{{multiref|{{harvnb|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1051}}.|{{harvnb|Siev|Huppert|Zuckerman|2017|p=531}}.|{{harvnb|Abramowitz|Jacoby|2014|p=141}}.}}

Individuals often experience life through an additional mental "filter" which inserts moral interpretation into otherwise innocuous settings, causing the person to expend so much mental energy that relaxation and even other cognitive functions are impacted severely.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}}{{sfn|Toprak|Özçelik|2024|p=22362}} This erosion of mental energy is associated with increased [[comorbidity]] with other [[anxiety disorder|anxiety]] and [[depressive disorder]]s.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}}

Individuals often experience life through an additional mental "filter" which inserts moral interpretation into otherwise innocuous settings, causing the person to expend so much mental energy that relaxation and even other cognitive functions are impacted severely.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}}{{sfn|Toprak|Özçelik|2024|p=22362}} This erosion of mental energy is associated with increased [[comorbidity]] with other [[anxiety disorder|anxiety]] and [[depressive disorder]]s.{{sfn|Miller|Hedges|2008|p=1045}}