Magical thinking OCD refers to a specific type of obsessional thinking in which one believes that their thoughts or actions can influence the outcome of events in an unrealistic or irrational way. People with magical thinking OCD may believe that they can cause or prevent terrible things from happening, and compulsions often revolve around trying to prevent these negative outcomes.1
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What Is Magical Thinking OCD?
Magical thinking OCD (sometimes abbreviated mtOCD) is a subtype of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by a belief that one’s thoughts or actions can affect something entirely unrelated. Someone with magical thinking OCD will have both obsessions and compulsions related to a person’s feelings of guilt about causing harm.
The obsessions related to magical thinking usually focus on fears that something the person did or said caused something bad to happen. A compulsion is an action or behavior that a person does as part of an unrealistic attempt to prevent harm. For instance, a person may obsess that something they said during an argument is going to cause something terrible to happen. The compulsive action might be constantly checking their phone to make sure the person is safe.
Magical Thinking OCD Can Overlap With Other OCD Subtypes
Even though magical thinking OCD is in its own subcategory with distinctive features, as a concept it can surface in other forms of OCD, such as checking, contamination, or scrupulosity.
Some common OCD subtypes that can overlap with magical thinking OCD can include:2,3
- Contamination OCD: Believing that certain objects or actions have the power to contaminate the person or others.
- Checking OCD: This subtype involves repetitive checking behaviors due to the fear that not checking will lead to something terrible happening.
- Symmetry OCD: Some people with symmetry OCD may think that arranging objects in a particular way will prevent harm or bring about a positive outcome.
- Scrupulosity OCD: Magical thinking might manifest in religious contexts, where someone believes their thoughts or actions may be offensive to a higher power or lead to divine punishment. They might perform rituals or prayers excessively to prevent perceived negative outcomes.
- Hoarding: Some people hoard items due to the belief that discarding them could lead to something terrible happening.
Real Event OCD Vs. Magical Thinking OCD
Similar to real event OCD, the main focus of magical thinking OCD obsessions is the belief that one’s thoughts and actions influence the outcome of events and cause positive or negative things to happen. The biggest difference is that real event OCD is focused on events that can or did actually happen, whereas magic thinking obsessions are focused on things that are not realistically possible.
Superstitions Vs. Magical Thinking OCD
Magical thinking OCD and superstitions may seem similar, but there are key differences. Superstitions are often cultural or familial, are mostly benign, and don’t have much impact on a person’s daily life. An example would be someone who “knocks on wood” to prevent bad luck. This person is likely to go about their day and forget all about it.
On the other hand, someone with intrusive thoughts related to magical thinking OCD is likely to suffer from severe distress due to their obsessions and compulsions. The distress is significant enough to take up a huge amount of their time and cause problems at work, school, and in relationships. Magical thinking OCD is a serious mental health disorder and requires treatment.
Treatment for OCD
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Symptoms of Magical Thinking OCD
A person with magical thinking OCD will experience typical symptoms of OCD along with other symptoms of anxiety regarding their behaviors and thoughts. People with magical thinking OCD may struggle with guilt and an increased sense of responsibility because they overestimate the influence their actions have on others and on events.
Magical Thinking OCD Obsessions
Common obsessions in magical thinking OCD include:
- Preoccupation with determining a link between unrelated events
- Beliefs that their actions control a situation or event
- Believing that lucky or unlucky numbers can cause or prevent bad things from happening
- Fear that talking about something bad will “jinx” someone and cause that event to happen
- Believing that thoughts or words can cause harm to someone
Magical Thinking OCD Compulsions
Common compulsions in magical thinking OCD include:
- Wearing a certain color to avoid negative consequences
- Checking the clock at a certain time when driving in order to prevent an accident
- Checking on someone repeatedly to make sure they are OK
- Collecting objects that are believed to be lucky or prevent bad things from happening
- Mentally reviewing thoughts and actions to make sure nothing was done that could have caused harm
- Seeking reassurance from others to make sure that nothing bad has happened
- Avoiding people, places, and things because they are believed to bring bad luck
- Engaging in compulsions or rituals a specific number of times to prevent an undesirable outcome
Do People With Magical Thinking OCD Think They’re Powerful?
Typically, people with magical thinking OCD don’t think of themselves as godly, extraordinary, or all powerful. Instead, they operate from a belief that their thoughts and actions can significantly influence outcomes, even if there’s no logical connection between the two. In fact, their compulsions aren’t driven by the belief that they have superpowers, but rather from the fear of something bad happening to themselves or other people. Thus, it is not about feeling omnipotent but about relieving anxiety or preventing a possible undesirable event.
What Causes Magical Thinking OCD?
OCD has been shown to have a genetic component as well as other biological factors. Some of the biological factors that are thought to contribute include differences in brain structure, serotonin imbalance, and personality traits such as perfectionism or a high need for control.4
A person’s environment can also contribute to the onset of symptoms. Life stressors and traumatic events, especially those that include death or loss, can contribute to the development of OCD. Someone who has experienced a trauma or loss can become obsessed with the idea that they caused it or could have prevented it somehow. In addition, higher levels of chronic stress contribute to a greater risk of OCD in general.3
Possible causes of magical thinking OCD include:
- Genetic risks: OCD, including magical thinking OCD, has been shown to have a genetic component, with those who have a family history having a higher risk.
- Brain chemistry: Certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin, have been linked with a greater risk of developing OCD.
- Brain anatomy: The parts of the brain that control decision-making, impulse control, and emotional processing have been shown to be different in people with OCD.
- Traumatic events: There is evidence to show a connection between traumatic events and the development of OCD.6
- Personality Traits: Personality traits, including rigid thinking, perfectionism, and an overdeveloped sense of responsibility, may contribute to the risk of magical thinking OCD.
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Magical Thinking OCD Treatment
OCD is a serious disorder, and receiving proper treatment for OCD is critically important. OCD causes a great deal of distress to those who suffer from it, impacting their ability to function in everyday life. Therapy, typically exposure and response prevention (ERP), is generally considered the most effective form of treatment. The goal of therapy is to change related thoughts and behaviors. Medication may be helpful as well.
Treatment for magical thinking OCD involves:
Exposure and Response Prevention
ERP for OCD is the most commonly used form of therapy for people with OCD because it is safe and effective. It slowly exposes someone to the things that cause them anxiety and then prevents them from practicing their compulsive behaviors, helping to break the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. If a person is not yet able to refrain from compulsions, the ERP therapist will focus on delaying it for even 10 or 15 minutes. This gives the person a chance to practice other OCD coping skills and start to build confidence that they can cope without their compulsions.
Examples of ERP Exposures for Magical Thinking OCD
The ERP treatment plan can vary from person to person, but the underlying concept remains the same—gradual exposure to the source of the obsessions to prevent/eliminate the compulsions.
Some examples of potential exposures include:7
- Going to a place you avoid or are excessively superstitious about, such as getting off on the 13th floor in a building
- Repeating a phrase or word silently or out loud that you think will bring bad luck
- Wearing something in a color you’re sure will result in misfortune
- Performing an action you’re certain will doom you and/or loved ones’ life (walking under a ladder or opening an umbrella indoors)
- Resisting the urge to engage in a behavior or ritual that you think will prevent something tragic from happening
- Not allowing yourself to mentally count to a certain number in your mind
- Talking with a person you’re convinced will bring harm to your life
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for OCD
CBT for OCD is another effective type of therapy. CBT focuses on cognitive restructuring, where an individual is coached on how to challenge their obsessive thoughts. For example, a CBT therapist may teach their client the thought labeling skill. This skill involves labeling the thoughts an individual with OCD has as an “intrusive thought” or an “obsession.” This can be helpful for getting some separation from the thoughts and remembering that they are not reality.
Medications for OCD
In some cases, medications for OCD can be helpful and can improve treatment outcomes when used along with therapy. Medication is often considered when therapy alone doesn’t bring relief of symptoms. SSRIs, a common type of antidepressant, are the most commonly recommended as they are thought to help reduce intrusive thoughts and obsessions related to OCD.
How to Get Help for Magical Thinking OCD
As with any untreated psychological condition, magical thinking OCD can worsen over time. Eventually, the obsessions and compulsions can become all-consuming, negatively impacting someone’s overall wellbeing and ability to function in their day-to-day life. As such, if your magical thinking feels that it goes beyond mere superstitions, or random rituals, discuss it with your PCP or a mental health practitioner. You can also consider finding a professional specializing with OCD who can conduct a thorough assessment and provide the appropriate treatment.
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How to Stop Magical Thinking
Aside from therapy and medication, there are additional ways to cope with the effects of magical thinking OCD. OCD is a cycle of obsessions and compulsions, so one step towards recovery is to replace the compulsive coping skills with healthy ones.
Here are seven tips for coping with magical thinking OCD:
- Fix your sleep routine: There is an important link between sleep problems and OCD. OCD can contribute to insomnia and is also shown to be related to circadian rhythm problems. In turn, lack of sleep has a negative impact on mental health. When sleep problems and OCD are both present, it’s crucial to address both.8
- Start a regular meditation practice: Meditation for OCD can be helpful for reducing stress, promoting a sense of calm, and allowing for increased self-awareness without judgment. This can be a great addition to other OCD treatments.9
- Try group therapy: Being with others who share the same challenges and have learned to cope can be a great option. Participants in group therapy can not only share their experiences but also provide support and hope. Online OCD resources like NOCD can be a great place to find group support.
- Practice self-compassion: Remember that OCD is not your fault, and there is nothing you did to cause it. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion like you would a friend who is struggling.
- Engage in fun activities: It’s ok to distract from the obsessions by doing something fun! Engage in activities that are interesting and enjoyable, like hobbies, time with friends, spending time outdoors, or getting some physical activity.
In My Experience
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Joshi, P., & Tripathi, R. (2023). Psychological Treatment of Magical Thinking and Associated Symptoms: A Case Report. Journal of Psychosocial Research, 18(1).
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American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
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Drummond, L. M., & Edwards, L. J. (2022). Everything you need to know about OCD (First ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009004176
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Mahjani, B., Bey, K., Boberg, J., & Burton, C. (2021). Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychological Medicine, 51(13), 2247-2259.
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Pauls, D. L., Abramovitch, A., Rauch, S. L., & Geller, D. A. (2014). Obsessive–compulsive disorder: an integrative genetic and neurobiological perspective. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(6), 410-424.
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Wadsworth, L. P., Van Kirk, N., August, M., Kelly, J. M., Jackson, F., Nelson, J., & Luehrs, R. (2023). Understanding the overlap between OCD and trauma: development of the OCD trauma timeline interview (OTTI) for clinical settings. Current Psychology, 42(9), 6937-6947.
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Law, C., & Boisseau, C. L. (2019). Exposure and Response Prevention in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Current Perspectives. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Volume 12, 1167–1174. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s211117
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Coles, M. E., Schubert, J., Stewart, E., Sharkey, K. M., & Deak, M. (2020). Sleep duration and timing in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): evidence for circadian phase delay. Sleep medicine, 72, 111-117. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.03.021
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Hershfield, J., & Corboy, T. (2020). The mindfulness workbook for OCD: A guide to overcoming obsessions and compulsions using mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (Second ed.). New Harbinger Publications.
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
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Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources. Added “Magical Thinking OCD Can Overlap With Other OCD Subtypes”, “Do People With Magical Thinking OCD Think They’re Powerful?”, “Examples of ERP Exposures for Magical Thinking OCD”, “How to Get Help for Magical Thinking OCD”. New material written by Lydia Antonatos, LMHC and reviewed by Kristen Fuller, MD.
Author: Michelle Risser, LISW-S
Reviewer: Heidi Moawad, MD
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