5 Myths That Keep Christians from Getting Help for Mental Health

By Brian Briscoe, M.D.

For many Christians, seeking help for mental health feels like walking a tightrope—trying to honor God, trust Scripture, and yet admit that something feels wrong deep inside. Sadly, far too many believers suffer silently because of well-meaning but misguided beliefs that block them from getting the help they need.

Here are five common myths that keep Christians from pursuing care—and the truth that can set us free.

Myth #1: “If I just had more faith, I wouldn’t be struggling.”

This is perhaps the most pervasive—and painful—myth. It equates emotional suffering with spiritual failure, as if anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts are signs that we are not “trusting God enough.”

But Scripture paints a different picture. Elijah, after witnessing God’s power on Mount Carmel, collapses under the weight of despair and asks God to take his life (1 Kings 19). David’s psalms are filled with cries of anguish, fear, and sorrow. Jesus Himself was “a man of sorrows” and “acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

Faith is not the absence of suffering. Faith is the decision to cling to Christ in the midst of it.

Myth #2: “I should be able to handle this on my own.”

This quiet assumption often keeps believers isolated. Many Christians believe that if they were stronger, prayed more consistently, or simply pushed through, the distress would resolve on its own.

But Scripture doesn’t teach rugged individualism—it teaches interdependence. Paul reminds us that we are part of the body of Christ and are meant to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Seeking help—whether from pastors, mentors, medical professionals, or trusted counselors—is not a betrayal of faith. It’s an act of humility and wisdom.

God often provides healing through community and through others who are equipped to walk with us.

Myth #3: “Mental illness is just a result of unconfessed sin.”

There is no doubt that sin can affect our minds and relationships. But to assume that every case of mental illness is the result of moral failure is neither biblically sound nor clinically accurate.

Jesus rejected this kind of thinking when His disciples asked about the man born blind: “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus answered, “Neither… but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:2–3).

Mental health struggles can arise from a variety of influences—trauma, grief, spiritual stress, medical conditions, neurobiological vulnerabilities, or a complex mix of factors. The presence of suffering does not imply guilt. Sometimes, the most faithful thing a Christian can do is to humbly seek healing, even when the cause of suffering is unclear.

Myth #4: “Medication is a crutch—real Christians don’t need it.”

This myth often springs from a desire to rely on God alone. But we don’t take this approach with other medical issues. When someone has diabetes, we don’t shame them for taking insulin. When a child has asthma, we don’t ask them to throw away their inhaler and “just pray harder.”

Why, then, do we treat mental health differently?

Medication, when used appropriately and under the guidance of a physician, is not a sign of spiritual weakness. It is a tool—one that can help create the internal stability needed to engage meaningfully with therapy, community, and God’s Word.

Myth #5: “Getting help makes me a bad witness.”

Some fear that acknowledging anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts might “hurt their testimony.” But hiding pain behind a mask of perfection isn’t the witness Christ calls us to.

Paul boasted in his weakness so that “the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our stories of struggle and redemption—the mess and the mercy—are exactly what the world needs to see. They point not to our strength, but to the sustaining grace of Christ.

A Better Way Forward

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone—and you are not failing God. Mental health struggles are not a sign of spiritual collapse. They are a reminder that we live in a fallen world, and that healing often comes through both prayer and process, through both Scripture and support.

As Christians, we don’t have to choose between faith and mental health care. We can hold both. We can seek the help we need—while resting in the One who has already secured our ultimate healing.

About Dr. Briscoe

Dr. Brian Briscoe is a board-certified psychiatrist and the founder of Next Step 4 Mental Health, a private practice in Louisville, Kentucky.

He is passionate about integrating clinical excellence with a thoughtful, respectful approach to faith. Dr. Briscoe works with individuals across a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, OCD, and mood disorders, and has a special interest in helping Christians navigate mental health through a gospel-centered lens.

He previously served as Chair of the Psychiatry Section of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations.

Understanding Intrusive Thoughts: Why They Occur and How They Take Root

Understanding Religious OCD: What It Is and Why It Matters

This blog is part of the Religious OCD Series by Dr. Brian Briscoe. 

OCD tends to latch onto what a person holds most dear, turning their deepest values—such as faith—into sources of anxiety and distress.

Introduction

Imagine feeling an overwhelming fear that you’ve unknowingly committed a sin, even though you have done nothing wrong. Or obsessing that a past sin you have committed has not been forgiven, even though you have accepted Christ and know that in Him all sins are forgiven. You pray repeatedly, seeking reassurance from God, yet the fear does not go away. You confess the same sin over and over, but relief never lasts. Instead, doubt creeps back in, stronger than before. This is the reality for many individuals suffering from Religious OCD, also known as scrupulosity.

What Is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to relieve distress. These compulsions offer temporary relief but ultimately reinforce the obsessive cycle, making the problem worse over time.

What Is Religious OCD (Scrupulosity)?

OCD obsessions and compulsions tend to center around the things that people care about the most. For some, OCD manifests as overwhelming fears about harm coming to their child. For others, it revolves around fears of contamination or illness. In many cases, OCD latches onto what a person holds most dear. Religious OCD occurs when these obsessive fears and compulsions creep into a person’s religious or spiritual life, distorting their faith experience and turning it into a source of distress rather than peace.

Religious OCD, or scrupulosity, is a subtype of OCD in which a person experiences excessive worry about religious or moral matters. Because faith is so central to a believer’s identity, OCD may distort genuine devotion into an exhausting cycle of fear, doubt, and compulsive reassurance-seeking. Common fears include:

• Doubting one’s salvation
• Fear of committing the unforgivable sin
• Worrying that thoughts themselves are sinful
• Repeatedly seeking reassurance from pastors or loved ones
• Feeling compelled to engage in excessive prayer, confession, or ritualistic behaviors

While it is natural for Christians to care about living righteously, scrupulosity takes these concerns to an extreme, leading to distress and interfering with one’s ability to experience God’s love and grace.

A Story of Religious OCD in Action

Let’s take a look at a hypothetical case:

Sarah is a devoted Christian who deeply desires to follow God. Her faith is one of the most important aspects of her life, making it a prime target for OCD-related fears. She begins experiencing persistent thoughts that she might have unknowingly blasphemed the Holy Spirit. These thoughts terrify her. She starts praying compulsively, asking God for forgiveness hundreds of times a day. She seeks reassurance from her pastor, who tells her she hasn’t committed the unforgivable sin, but the doubt returns almost immediately. Instead of feeling peace, Sarah feels trapped in an exhausting cycle of fear and rituals.

Sarah’s story reflects the struggle of many believers with Religious OCD. Instead of drawing closer to God, their faith becomes a battleground of relentless doubt and anxiety. What she values most—her faith—has become a source of distress rather than comfort.

Why This Matters

Scripture reminds us that God’s love is steadfast, and our salvation is secured through faith in Christ:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Recognizing that salvation is based on God’s grace—not our ability to achieve certainty—can help free those trapped in the cycle of Religious OCD.

Many people suffering from scrupulosity believe their distress is a sign of spiritual failure. However, Religious OCD is not a lack of faith—it is a mental health condition. Recognizing this distinction is crucial for those who struggle and for pastors, family members, and church communities who seek to support them. Understanding that OCD preys on what is most important to an individual can help sufferers, and those who support them, approach this struggle with compassion and clarity.

What’s Next?

In the next article, we will dive deeper into the nature of intrusive thoughts, why they occur, and how they take root in the mind.

More on that next week…

For Kentucky Residents

If you live in Kentucky and are seeking support for religious OCD or scrupulosity, our team at Next Step 4 Mental Health in Louisville is here to help. We offer compassionate, evidence-based care—both in-person and through telehealth—for children, teens, and adults.

📍 nextstep.doctor

📞 502-339-2442

📧 contactus@nextstep.doctor

For Those Outside Kentucky

If you’re not a Kentucky resident, we encourage you to seek care from a licensed mental health provider in your area. Professional support can be a vital step toward healing and peace.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a licensed mental health provider for appropriate care.

Introducing the Religious OCD Blog Series: A Message from Dr. Brian Briscoe

This article is part of the Religious OCD Series.

As a practicing psychiatrist who holds my Christian faith dear to my heart, I have had the privilege of walking alongside patients through some of their most challenging mental health struggles. In addition to my clinical work, I have served as Chair of the Psychiatry Section of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA), where I have had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who share both clinical expertise and a heart for ministry.

Why This Series?

• Support individuals who are personally struggling with Religious OCD — offering them hope, understanding, and practical tools.
• Equip pastors and church leaders — helping them recognize and respond wisely to congregants facing these struggles.
• Guide family members and loved ones — enabling them to support their spouses, children, or friends with compassion and understanding.

My Writing Process

Why Use Large Language Models?

A Final Word

Series Overview

This blog series is designed to be comprehensive and approachable, offering twelve articles that each address a different aspect of Religious OCD. The topics include:

1. What Religious OCD Is and Why It Happens
2. Understanding Intrusive Thoughts in a Christian Context
3. Compulsions in Religious OCD and How They Reinforce Anxiety
4. How Religious OCD Affects a Believer’s Walk with Christ
5. Biological Treatments: Medication and Supplements
6. TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) as a Treatment Option
7. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy and How It Can Be Adapted for Christians
8. Supporting a Spouse Who Struggles with Religious OCD
9. How Parents Can Recognize and Support a Child with Religious OCD
10. Guidance for Pastors: Recognizing and Responding with Wisdom
11. How Small Groups Can Support Members Struggling with Religious OCD
12. Moving Forward in Hope: A Final Word

Each article has been crafted to offer clinical accuracy paired with compassionate, faith-sensitive guidance. My hope is that readers will find both clarity and encouragement, whether they are sufferers themselves, loved ones, or church leaders seeking to shepherd well.

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