Obsessive, Intrusive, Magical Thinking

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Unlike other OCD subtypes, Magical Thinking OCD is not a clinical diagnosis, but rather a manifestation of OCD. While it does have its own distinct characteristic, it can also occur within many other forms of OCD. Usually, there is little to no connection between what a person fears with their Magic Thinking OCD and the action they perform to prevent it. Common Magical Thinking Obsessions Having intrusive thoughts does not mean you have OCD, but if you find yourself trying to suppress these unwanted thoughts and fears with compulsions, this can be a sign of OCD.

Belief that one must cancel out or neutralize “bad thoughts” or “bad memories” by thinking of or saying “good thoughts” or “good memories” to prevent negative consequences We can challenge these responsibility beliefs in the same way as we challenge other OCD thoughts, using the OCD Thought Record Sheet Fite RE, et al. (2020). Do you believe in magical thinking? Examining magical thinking as a mediator between obsessive-compulsive belief domains and symptoms. The treatment of magical thinking OCD aims to help the patients to gain control over their intrusive thoughts. The sufferer needs to beware of and identify the looping thoughts. People, who can actively stop those thoughts, develop more control over them. 4. Distraction therapy Here’s an example of how magical thinking factors into my OCD symptoms: I often have upsetting intrusive thoughts (obsessions) where I hurt people I love, accidentally or on purpose.

Summary

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for OCD focuses on challenging the unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, and learning to resist the urge to act: Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP). Counting: People with magical thinking OCD may count to a specific number in their head or repeat certain phrases or words a specific number of times to themselves as a way of protecting themselves or others from potential harm. This may look like saying, “I love my mom,” three times every time a person hears any negative mention of a mother, whether in a book, movie, or conversation. The person may worry that something bad will happen to their mother if they don’t perform this ritual. The first essay in particular, 'I am old now, but I wasn't then,' is a work of art, but in general, I loved going down the rabbit hole of Marianne's obsessions, her observations on pop culture and the tales of her travels as each essay unfolded. (As an aside, can we talk about the casual hangout with Joel Madden from GOOD CHARLOTTE? This blew my mind as an aging pop punk kid). Of course, I know that twisting my hands doesn’t actually have any influence on whether my thoughts become reality. It also doesn’t do anything to soothe the distress or stop the thoughts.

Once you choose a plan, you’ll work with your therapist on the emotions that come up during the exposures. It will be scary at first. It may bring up many of the fears you’ve been trying to alleviate with your compulsions (e.g., what if something bad happens to the person I texted and it really is my fault?). But with practice, you’ll find the intense need to engage in your compulsion will wane. You will get to a point where your anxiety around texting subsides, and you are able to send a text message any time you like. How to get help As someone who grew up in the same generation with the same interests as Marianne, I felt a real kinship with her throughout the book - from the pop culture references to incidental things that happened during her childhood growing up in a small English town. While I couldn't relate to every one of her experiences, it was moving to read a deeply honest account of how it feels when your brain and body feels like it's working against you. For example, let’s say you feel that you can only chew your food by a number that is divisible by 5 before swallowing, or else you will choke. With an ERP therapist, you will work toward overcoming this compulsion with the goal of chewing freely without counting. Most obsessions in OCD involve anxiety and distress over causing (or preventing) harm to themselves or other people. Some examples of Magical Thinking thoughts include: Some people can become so obsessed with their superstitions that it becomes all-consuming, and they can’t focus on anything else. Is Magical Thinking OCD Treatable?

Treatment for Magical Thinking OCD

When I put on my mascara it is always to the count of four. If I don’t do it correctly, like if I miscount or it doesn’t feel just right, I have to start over. You can imagine that some days I am wearing a heavy dose of mascara.” Obsessions are defined as recurrent thought content (or theme) that is highly unpleasant to the individual experiencing it. The four most common OCD themes are: Similar to any other form of OCD, Magical Thinking OCD can be effectively treated and managed effectively with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a type of CBT that is considered the first-line psychotherapy for OCD. Like all OCD subtypes, Magical Thinking can significantly affect people’s quality of life. While Magical Thinking OCD compulsions may start small, they typically will snowball over time.

Studies 20 Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for mental health. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, 8(2), 106. https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.v08n0208a have found that exercise is very beneficial in reducing intrusive thoughts. Daily exercise shifts a person’s attention when his/her compulsions arise. It boosts 21 Young S. N. (2007). How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN, 32(6), 394–399. serotonin as well as distracts people from superstitious rituals and obsessive thoughts. 3. Identify the looping thoughts Obsession: A person has an intrusive thought that they believe their loved ones will be in an accident if they don’t touch every doorknob in their house three times before leaving.The best course of treatment for magical thinking OCD, like all types of OCD, is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. The idea behind ERP is that repeated exposure to obsessive thoughts, without engaging in compulsions, is the most effective way to treat OCD. When you continually reach out for the compulsions, it only strengthens your need to engage them. On the other hand, when you prevent yourself from engaging in your compulsions, you teach yourself a new way to respond and will very likely experience a noticeable reduction in your anxiety. With us, magical thinking often factors into our obsessions and compulsions. This can be a huge source of distress.

To stop myself from engaging in this rational thought, I try to remember the highlights of my most difficult years.In the case of Magical Thinking, this might involve being exposed to intrusive thoughts while resisting the compulsions that the person would typically do to alleviate their anxiety. Engaging in behaviors around “good” numbers, colors, words, or dates, such as crossing a doorway a certain number of times What we believe deep down about ourselves, others and the world, influences and distorts the way we make sense of everyday life. Just because we think something bad might happen, doesn't mean that is how it really is! We are looking at life and situations through those very distorted lenses.