Magical thinking OCD is a particular form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by a belief in the power of one's thoughts to influence events or to prevent certain outcomes. Individuals with this type of OCD are often preoccupied with certain thoughts, rituals, or behaviors that they believe are necessary to control or prevent negative consequences from occurring. In magical thinking OCD, individuals may engage in superstitious behaviors or rituals to ward off harm or ensure good luck. For example, they may feel compelled to repeat certain phrases or numbers, avoid stepping on cracks in the sidewalk, or engage in specific rituals before engaging in certain activities. They may believe that if they do not comply with these rituals, something bad will happen to themselves or to someone they care about. These obsessions and compulsions can become time-consuming and interfere with daily life functioning.
Steps for overcoming HOCD
I’m guessing that you’ve landed on this page as you have just taken my test on HOCD. I am going to outline what options are open to you if you are serious about overcoming HOCD. If you are not sure who I am, my name is Elaine, and I am the psychologist behind MoodSmith.
I am not going to discuss HOCD in detail in this article, but you can read everything you need to know about it in my Guide.
Regardless of whether you would like my help ( I have an online course that gives you the same things you would get if you saw me in person ) or decide to meet with someone else, these are the things that you need to address.
- Obsessions
- Compulsions
- Behaviours
- Anxiety and Stress
And I shall list my recommended models of therapy before I go on to explain it all to you!
The recommended treatment for HOCD is CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT includes Exposure Response Prevention (ERP); I mention that, as I have found that people look for a therapist for ERP, when in fact, it all should be done within Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
I find that people tend to do better if they also undertake some Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and have an understanding of the brain.
Now I shall explain it in a way that makes more sense!
If you would like my help
Structured self-help course for HOCD from the privacy of your home
Dr Ryan: Psychologist and Founder of MoodSmith
These obsessions and compulsions can become time-consuming and interfere with daily life functioning. Individuals with magical thinking OCD often feel a sense of urgency to perform their rituals, causing significant distress and anxiety if they are unable to complete them. The underlying cause of magical thinking OCD is still unknown, but it is thought to stem from a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors.
User-friendly steps to overcoming HOCD
Learn how to work with your thoughts and images
This can be achieved using CBT, where you will be taught how to correct your thought processes. It is also achieved differently through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, where you shall learn to accept your thought processes.
Why this helps
Your thoughts are one of the main things that keep you stuck in the HOCD cycle. Think about it. You would probably feel much better if you didn’t have the thoughts! Sounds too simple? CBT and Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) will help you relate to your thought differently, in a more helpful way, as I can take a safe guess that your thoughts are not helpful at the moment.
Stop seeking reassurance
Or another way to think of this is to learn how to stop doing what you are doing to get reassurance. This could be learning to stop.
- analysing it in your head
- ‘checking’ to make sure you are not gay
- ‘checking’ to make sure you are still attracted to members of the opposite sex
Why this helps
Not only does the ‘reassurance seeking’ not help, but it also keeps HOCD going. Getting over HOCD is about teaching you to stop doing the things that contribute to your current feelings.
Stop avoiding
You could be avoiding people, places or things that you think might ‘trigger’ your HOCD or make you feel worse. Learning not to avoid things teaches your brain that you are okay, as I find (and you will find in my course) that the things you are doing help make things worse.
Why this helps
Once you stop avoiding, you start to get your life back to normal, but you need to manage stress.
Manage anxiety and stress
This is a must. I think I can safely assume that HOCD will be causing you distress. In addition, we (as human beings) do not change well – it makes us anxious! Learning to manage anxiety is fundamental to the changes you have to make to overcome HOCD; that is why I included an entire program dedicated to managing anxiety, with the course on overcoming HOCD!
Why this helps
Being able to manage stress helps you with all of the above! It also takes the fear away.
Stay out of your head and stop analysing.
Most, if not all, of the distress occurs inside your head. You suffer because of the constant doubt regarding your sexuality, the constant checking, the constant analysis. All this occurs inside your head, but you can learn to let this go. This is achieved by
- having an understanding of what is happening to you, and
- by undertaking mindfulness, which I have also included in the course
Why this helps
Once you understand what is happening to you, you will start to see this as something happening to you instead of your sexuality changing. Once you understand its nature, for example, the obsessions and compulsions, it takes the fear away. It is like standing back from it all and seeing what is happening in your head.
Online self-help course for HOCD
Dr Ryan: Psychologist and Founder of MoodSmith
How to Stop OCD Thought Loops
One of the most commonly discussed symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder is the tendency to get stuck in unpleasant or upsetting thought patterns for extended periods. Patients often say they cannot control these thoughts or break out of the loops, leading to intense frustration, discomfort, and stress.
Fortunately, there are several strategies for dealing with looping thoughts that may help the afflicted regain some measure of control over their obsessive ruminations. Keep reading for a rundown of some ways to keep OCD thought loops at bay, or at least make them easier to manage.
Some research suggests that individuals with OCD may have higher levels of doubt and uncertainty, leading to the development of magical thinking beliefs as a way to cope with these feelings. Treatment for magical thinking OCD typically involves cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. In CBT, individuals learn to challenge and reframe their irrational beliefs and develop healthier coping strategies for managing anxiety. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also be prescribed to help reduce obsessive thoughts and anxiety. It is important to note that magical thinking OCD is a mental health condition and not simply a personality trait or quirk. It can cause significant distress and impair functioning, so seeking help from a qualified mental health professional is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. In conclusion, magical thinking OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by a belief in the power of one's thoughts to influence events or prevent specific outcomes. Individuals with this condition may engage in superstitious rituals or behaviors to ward off harm or ensure good luck. Treatment typically involves cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication to help individuals manage their obsessive thoughts and reduce anxiety..
Reviews for "The Link Between Superstition and Magical Thinking in OCD"
1. John - 2 stars - While I understand that "Magical thinking ocd" tackles an important topic like OCD, I found the book to be incredibly repetitive and lacking in depth. The author kept repeating the same anecdotes and examples without offering any new insights or strategies for managing OCD. Additionally, I felt that the writing style was disjointed and difficult to follow, making it hard for me to fully engage with the content. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others seeking help or understanding with OCD.
2. Emily - 2.5 stars - I was excited to read "Magical thinking ocd" as someone who has struggled with OCD in the past, hoping it would provide some valuable insights and tools for managing the condition. However, I found the book to be quite shallow and lacking in practical advice. The author spent a lot of time describing various OCD symptoms and behaviors without offering much in the way of solutions or coping strategies. I also felt that the writing style was overly simplistic and repetitive, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged and motivated to continue reading. Overall, I believe there are better resources out there for understanding and managing OCD than this book.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Magical thinking ocd" to be incredibly disappointing and unhelpful. As someone who has struggled with OCD for years and hoped to find some guidance in this book, I was let down by its lack of depth and practical advice. The author seemed more focused on sharing personal anecdotes and repetitive descriptions of OCD behaviors rather than offering any real solutions or coping strategies. I also found the writing style to be confusing and disjointed, making it difficult for me to follow and glean any useful information. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for genuine insight or help with OCD.