Having Anxiety About Confession and How to Deal With It

[@stephaniepeterson2814]

I haven’t been to confession since my first one when I was 7, my heart aches to go back but my anxiety is so bad about it. I have a tendency to lie, freeze and disassociate when I get nervous and I worry I’ll intentionally skip sins on my list (invalidating the whole confession) or just not be able to speak. And I worry about not sounding contrite enough because when I disassociate i downplay my feelings A LOT. If you ask me if I’m truly sorry for my sins while I’m at home alone I’ll cry and beg for mercy, if you ask me if I’m sorry for my sins in the confessional I’m like “uhh sure I guess”. I truly will be repentant but I sure as heck won’t sound like it, and I don’t want the priest to think I don’t take it seriously, I *do*. I also just generally come across as dry and rude because of my autism, even though under that shell I’m extremely passionate and emotional. And this anxiety keeps me from even emailing the priest to tell him these concerns, because I don’t want to be condescended or thought as lesser because I have so much fear. I hate being a charity case. Oh and can’t forget to mention I worry he’s gonna get irritated with how long my list will be… .

[@missequestrian3448]

I hope you can reach out to someone. I can relate to a lot of these struggles. I feel it might be a lie if I say I’m sorry (what if I’m not!?) so that, in combination with all the other struggles around it makes confession immensely hard at times. Sending hope 🩵

[@TheGreekCatholic]

I suffer from anxiety and I’m completely stuck not being able to get myself to go to confession .

[@MichaelA82828]

Great video! I think this topic should be talked about more. Please pray for me. I have so much anxiety about going to confession and I know I shouldn't.

[@PrayLikeaGirl]

It's hard, every time! But God's grace and love are worth it! Definitely praying for you!

[@meganhaile4813]

Love this video! I definitely grit my teeth every time I go to confession and I am skeptical/jealous/amazed at people who love devotional confession and want to do it often (my husband is one of them - thanks Jesus!). I like these tips. I definitely rehearse what I'm going to say a lot beforehand. Honestly I take a lot of comfort in just believing the efficacy of the sacrament through my faith in Christ and the Church. Even though it doesn't "feel" great and even afterwards I'm more like "whew that's over" than "ahh yisss I'm resurrected!" emotionally, I know that my sins ARE forgiven and my soul IS in a state of grace regardless of my feelings. Thanks for this topic!

[@PrayLikeaGirl]

Absolutely. Faith over feeling so much of the time. Praise God forgiveness of sins does not rely on us feeling it haha

[@Catholic_For_Life]

Im 13 years old and im getting depressed and anxiety because i have to confess and its embarassing

[@PrayLikeaGirl]

I know it can feel embarrassing, but the more you go the easier it gets. God is SO THERE for you! And if you ever have a chance, ask a priest about confession (when you're not about to go to confession) - he will reassure you because most priests are given the grace to forget EVERYTHING they hear in the confessional. They are simply a tool in the hands of God! We will be praying for you as you receive the sacrament!