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
What Is Magical Thinking OCD?
Magical thinking OCD (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 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.
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.
Common compulsions in magical thinking OCD include:
- Feeling the need to wear 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.
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 actually happened, 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 from 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.
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.
Symptoms of magical thinking OCD may include:
- Anxiety over events with no logical connection
- Rumination on present and past actions
- Compulsive actions aimed at reducing the chances of harm
- Unwanted distressing thoughts about causing harm to others
- Compulsive behaviors like repetitive actions (counting, etc.), avoiding certain situations, or seeking reassurance from others.
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.3
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.4
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.5
- Personality Traits: Personality traits, including rigid thinking, perfectionism, and an overdeveloped sense of responsibility, may contribute to the risk of magical thinking OCD.
How to Treat Magical Thinking OCD
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 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:
Therapy
Exposure therapy for OCD is the most commonly used form of therapy for people with OCD because it is safe and effective. Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is a type of exposure therapy that slowly exposes someone to the things that cause them anxiety and then prevents them from practicing their compulsive behaviors. This helps 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 coping skills and start to build confidence that they can cope without their compulsions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (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 skills 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
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.
*These medications have a black box warning, the most serious kind of warning from the FDA for a risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people. You should talk with your doctor about these risks before starting any of these medications.
How to Cope With Magical Thinking OCD
Aside from therapy and medication, there are additional ways to cope with the effects of magical thinking OCD. OCD obsessions and compulsions are a cycle, and 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.6
- Start a regular meditation practice: Meditation for OCD is 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.7
- 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.
- Practice self-compassion: Remember that this 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
As a practitioner, I have seen magical thinking OCD come up most often in my practice is with perinatal clients who are terrified that something they have done or thought is going to cause harm to their baby. While scary thoughts can be normal and common after the birth of a baby, when the thoughts start to impact sleep, relationships, or the ability to function in everyday life, it’s time to ask for help.
Magical thinking OCD is a scary and painful experience. People may feel afraid to ask for help out of fear of being judged. They may be unable to distinguish between their obsessive thoughts and reality, and when compulsions begin, it can be a vicious and hard-to-break cycle. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available, and the outlook is good.
Magical Thinking OCD Infographics
