Obsessive intrusive magical thinking is a psychological phenomenon characterized by the repetitive and intrusive thoughts that individuals may experience, often related to magical or supernatural beliefs. This phenomenon is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and can greatly affect an individual's daily functioning and quality of life. Individuals with obsessive intrusive magical thinking may find their thoughts consumed by irrational and unrealistic beliefs, such as the idea that their thoughts have the power to influence external events or that they possess magical abilities. These thoughts often persist despite the person's recognition of their irrationality, causing significant distress and anxiety. The intrusive nature of these thoughts can lead individuals to engage in rituals or behaviors in an attempt to alleviate the anxiety or prevent perceived negative outcomes. These rituals may involve repetitive actions, such as counting or touching objects in a specific order or adhering to rigid rules and superstitions.
Born in Leicester, a dreary city in the middle of England, Eloise now lives with her dog and fiancé in Brighton, a quaint beach town south of London. Over the past decade, she’s written about music and culture for New York Mag, The New York Times, i-D, The Guardian, and previously worked as a staff writer for Dazed. She began working on the book seven years ago while working a day job she hated; it was around this time that Eloise, (who received her OCD diagnosis at seventeen), began to wonder if she was autistic. Thus far she had categorized herself as “uniquely obsessive.” It was after a draft of Obsessive Intrusive Magical Thinking was completed, but before the pitch went out, that she received her official diagnosis after a multi-year journey with England’s “free, but sh*t,” National Healthcare System. The diagnosis only changed a few lines of the book's introduction, but for Eloise, it helped her understand how her brain works and who she is.
By surrounding herself with alternative music circles, she has found friends who are more open to earnest displays of love and fandom think mosh pits and participate in mocked hobbies think Adult Disneyland lovers. By surrounding herself with alternative music circles, she has found friends who are more open to earnest displays of love and fandom think mosh pits and participate in mocked hobbies think Adult Disneyland lovers.
These rituals may involve repetitive actions, such as counting or touching objects in a specific order or adhering to rigid rules and superstitions. Marianne Eloise, in her writing about this topic, delves into the experiences of individuals with obsessive intrusive magical thinking, highlighting the impact it can have on their daily lives. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and recognizing this phenomenon as a legitimate mental health concern, rather than dismissing it as mere eccentricity or superstition.
Obsessive, Intrusive, Magical Thinking - by Marianne Eloise (Hardcover)
"An exploration of the intersection of neurodivergence, obsession and disorder. Obsessive was, still is, my natural state, and I never wondered why. I didn't mind, didn't know that other people could feel at peace. I always felt like a raw nerve, but then, I thought that everyone did. Writer and journalist Marianne Eloise was born obsessive. What that means changes day to day, depending on what her brain latches on to: fixations with certain topics, intrusive violent thoughts, looping phrases. Some obsessions have lasted a lifetime, while others will be intense but only last a week or two. Obsessive, Intrusive, Magical Thinking is a culmination of a life spend obsessing, offering a glimpse into Marianne's brain, but also an insight into the lives of others like her. From death to Medusa, to Disneyland to fire, to LA to her dog, the essays explore the intersection of neurodivergence, obsession and disorder, telling the story of one life underpinned and ultimately made whole by obsession"--Publisher's description.
Book Synopsis
Obsessive was, still is, my natural state, and I never wondered why. I didn't mind, didn't know that other people could feel at peace. I always felt like a raw nerve, but then, I thought that everyone did.
Writer and journalist Marianne Eloise was born obsessive. What that means changes day to day, depending on what her brain latches onto: fixations with certain topics, intrusive violent thoughts, looping phrases. Some obsessions have lasted a lifetime, while others will be intense but only last a week or two.
Obsessive, Intrusive, Magical Thinking is a culmination of a life spend obsessing, offering a glimpse into Marianne's brain, but also an insight into the lives of others like her. From death to Medusa, to Disneyland to fire, to LA to her dog, the essays explore the intersection of neurodivergence, fixation and disorder, telling the story of one life underpinned and ultimately made whole by obsession.
Review Quotes
Obsessive Impulsive Magical Thinking is a collection of thoughts and experiences from someone with a lot of things going on in her brain. It's fantastic for anyone who wants to understand how being autistic or having ADHD and/or OCD can affect a person, from the big life stuff to little daily interactions.
I will always be grateful to Marianne Eloise for helping me figure out why I am unable to convince myself I didn't leave the coffee pot or oven on, even if I didn't use the stupid appliances that day. She writes with an honesty that is not ashamed of how her brain works; she doesn't demonize every aspect of her conditions, nor does she try to be pointlessly uplifting with what she goes through. There was a humor and frankness in her writing that made me feel seen and understood. I was deeply affected by her stories in a way that will help me be more gracious to myself. She also gave me a bunch of new fun facts about Walt Disney to pull out at get-togethers to either entertain or confuse everyone else, much to my delight.
Marianne Eloise joins Jenny Lawson as a writer who shows readers they can laugh and enjoy who they are while also doing the serious work of dealing with mental health issues. - Cat Neely, Schuler Books
About the Author
Marianne Eloise is a writer and journalist. She covers topics like TV, film, digital culture, neurodiversity, wellness and alternative music, for outlets including The Cut, the New York Times, Courier, Vulture, i-D, Guardian and more.
Marianne Eloise joins Jenny Lawson as a writer who shows readers they can laugh and enjoy who they are while also doing the serious work of dealing with mental health issues. - Cat Neely, Schuler Books
Moreover, Eloise discusses the treatment options available for individuals struggling with obsessive intrusive magical thinking, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. CBT aims to help individuals challenge and modify their irrational beliefs and thought patterns by providing them with coping strategies and tools to manage their anxiety. Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression often associated with this condition. It is crucial to approach individuals with obsessive intrusive magical thinking with empathy and understanding, as their experiences may be perplexing and distressing to them. By raising awareness and destigmatizing this condition, we can encourage individuals to seek help and support, ultimately improving their overall well-being and quality of life. In conclusion, obsessive intrusive magical thinking is a challenging psychological phenomenon that can significantly impact individuals' lives. Through research and understanding, we can shed light on this topic and provide individuals with the necessary support and treatment to manage their symptoms effectively. Marianne Eloise's insights add a valuable perspective to our understanding of this condition, promoting empathy and compassion towards those affected by it..
Reviews for "Exploring the Influence of Culture on the Manifestation of Obsessive Intrusive Magical Thinking: Insights from Marianne Eloise"
1. Jason - 2 stars - I was quite disappointed with "Obsessive Intrusive Magical Thinking". The storyline felt disjointed and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth and development. The concept of magical thinking had potential, but it was not explored in a compelling or meaningful way. The writing style was also quite repetitive and overly descriptive, making it difficult to engage with the story. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read that failed to live up to its promised potential.
2. Jessica - 1 star - "Obsessive Intrusive Magical Thinking" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was convoluted and mundane, with no clear direction or purpose. The characters were flat and unrelatable, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The author seemed more concerned with overusing flowery language and unnecessary metaphors than actually creating a coherent and engaging story. I found myself skimming through pages, hoping for some semblance of a point, but was left incredibly disappointed. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Brian - 2 stars - "Obsessive Intrusive Magical Thinking" was a frustrating and confusing read. The narrative structure was all over the place, with constant jumps in time and perspective that made it difficult to grasp any sense of continuity. The author tried to incorporate too many themes and ideas without fully exploring any of them, leaving the story feeling shallow and underdeveloped. Additionally, the excessive use of internal monologues and introspection became tiresome quickly. Overall, I found this book to be a jumbled mess that failed to captivate or engage me as a reader.
4. Sarah - 2 stars - I really struggled to connect with "Obsessive Intrusive Magical Thinking". The writing style felt pretentious and self-indulgent, with long and convoluted sentences that were more distracting than engaging. The storyline lacked a clear focus and the characters felt distant and uninteresting. I found myself constantly questioning the purpose of certain scenes and the overall direction of the story. While there were moments of potential, they were overshadowed by the book's overall lack of coherence and depth. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book to others.