My long-time friend Gregory Layton (RM, Former Student Body President at Dixie State University, MBA University of Utah, early 30s, single, active LDS) joins us to share his journey with crippling anxiety and scrupulosity. Gregory shares how “for the last five years of my life, I lived in a mental torture prison called scrupulosity”.

Gregory talks about how this is a mental health issue and not a spiritual weakness and needs to be solved experts in this area and the right kind of therapy. Gregory talks about how he turned to increased religious behaviors (6-10 hour per day in the temple, listening to multiple conference talks, etc) is his determination to end his intrusive thoughts and feelings of not being square with God. All this with a pure and humble desire to hear the Holy Ghost so he could make the right decisions in his life—but all of this only adding to his anxiety and scrupulosity—causing Gregory to feel worse and suicidal at times.

Gregory talks about only when he framed this as a mental illness, did he get the help he needed. Gregory talks about how he is such a better and more sustainable place—and able to live with uncertainly—and also peace that the core of Gregory is good, and God will continue to guide him.

This is a powerful and brave podcast for someone I deeply admire and respect. Hearing his story only increases my love, admiration, and respect for Gregory. If you are working to see, understand, and/or solve scrupulosity, Gregory’s story will help you. And if you have a loved one on this road, Gregory’s story will give you insights on how to better help them.

Thank you, Gregory, for being on the podcast. You are a good man with a bright future.

Links:

Dr. Debra McClendon: https://debramcclendon.com/

Podcast on Scrupulosity: https://listenlearnandlove.org/depression-mental-illness-podcasts (see 575, 557, 542, 493, 360, 336, 258, 240, 204, 199, 191)

Richard Ostler Chapter (from Listen, Learn and Love: Improving Latter-day Saint Culture) on Scrupulosity: www.dropbox.com/s/i314vw5im0khzia/Chapter%207%20Overcoming%20Scrupulosity%20%28Religious%20ODC%29.pdf?dl=0