Muslim experiences of OCD

In this video, Dr Yusuf describes how Muslims might experience OCD in distinctive ways, focusing on scrupulosity OCD.

Scrupulosity OCD can refer to obsessional ideas that relate to faith and ritual practice such as washing before prayer (wudu), or prayer itself. Dr Yusuf suggests that scrupulosity OCD can be found particularly amongst those Muslims who have recently started to practice their faith, for example recent converts to Islam.

Because scrupulosity OCD has a distinguishable spiritual component, it is an example of a mental health problem where the benefits of including the perspective of a Muslim practitioner (for example, an imam) with knowledge of Islam are clear. The religious practitioner can make clear, in a way that is likely to be trusted and therefore accepted by the person with scrupulosity OCD, what the religious guidance is around acts of worship.

As an Islamic scholar and a psychiatrist, Dr Yusuf can provide mental health support for Muslims using the bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework in a single setting. Non-Muslims practitioners, or Muslim practitioners who do not have the Islamic knowledge to answer faith-related question, may find it helpful to consult a religious scholar.

Over to you

As you listened to Dr Yusuf in this video, did you think of any questions for Dr Yusuf about using the bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach?

Please share these questions, and any thoughts or reflections, below.