[Alishia88]

I used to think that this was just anxiety related and kind of like an obsessive compulsive thing.

But I read in the PTSD workbook that a lot of magical thinking (when you think that you can control the outcome of things by what you do or think) is a sign of PTSD when you are numbing and dissociating strongly from trauma material, also panic and strong anxiety, it comes from suppressing trauma material and gets to the surface through panic and magical thinking.

I have this a lot, that I have to touch certain things in an order to stop things from happening or redo my hair to keep things from happening or wear the socks I don´t like to keep things from happening or wash my hands one more time etc.

sometimes it´s more sometimes it´s less. I have it too, when I´m positive excited about things, I´m afraid of losing the good feeling then.

[kaliope]

I wasn't aware that that had to do with ptsd but it makes sense, the magical thinking gives us a sense of control in our lives. thanks for sharing that.

[Mysterious Flyer]

I used to engage in a totally different kind of magical thinking. I would imagine that I lived in the top room of a castle with a cat and a doll, and I had a really pretty dress and pretty face. I would sit in the car or my room and not communicate with anyone because I was in my own little world. Sometimes I would imagine that the castle was on the beach and I would play with my brother and we would never get in trouble, and my brother would not abuse me either.

I don't do that anymore, but it made me feel better anyway. Actually, I would like to regain the ability to do that.

[Alishia88]

I think that´s not so much magic thinking as some sort of dissociating or something? I´m not sure.

However, magical thinking refers to believing that you can control the outcome of things in real life with your thoughts or your actions.

Like if you wash your hands 10 times a day you will not be sick by Sunday or
if you flush the toilet 3 times in a row you won´t get cancer or something...

Originally Posted by Mysterious Flyer

I used to engage in a totally different kind of magical thinking. I would imagine that I lived in the top room of a castle with a cat and a doll, and I had a really pretty dress and pretty face. I would sit in the car or my room and not communicate with anyone because I was in my own little world. Sometimes I would imagine that the castle was on the beach and I would play with my brother and we would never get in trouble, and my brother would not abuse me either.

I don't do that anymore, but it made me feel better anyway. Actually, I would like to regain the ability to do that.

[Mysterious Flyer]

I'm not sure that's a sign of PTSD. Lots of people do that. For instance, it's common to believe that good things happen to those who think positively. As a result, average people often refuse to improve their conditions because that would require acknowledging that something is wrong, which is "negative".

I can see how normal superstitious/magical thinking could lead to OCD if it were taken to extremes, but I've never heard of it being associated with PTSD. I does make sense that a feeling of powerlessness might lead to that.

[Open Eyes]

I think magical thinking is common in most humans. I don't think it is specific to PTSD sufferers though. Our human history is full of magical thinking, mythology, deities and superstitions and good luck trinkets. There is a little magical thinking in many of the TV shows and movies and even books we create.