126. From Fear to Freedom: Conquering Magical Thinking OCD

Ever had a moment where you felt like something bad would happen unless you did a specific thing—like touching a door handle just right or counting to a certain number? Now imagine that feeling controlling your every action, from the smallest decisions to the biggest ones. This is what life is like for those with magical thinking OCD. But how can you tell the difference between these intense fears and harmless superstitions?

In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, host Kristina sits down with Dr. Regina Lazarovich, a clinical psychologist and founder of Compass CBT to talk about magical thinking OCD. They explore how this subtype of OCD involves irrational beliefs that certain thoughts or actions can influence outcomes. Dr. Lazarovich distinguishes it from cultural superstitions and discusses its impact on daily life. She outlines treatment approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (IB-CBT). The episode emphasizes understanding and compassion in managing OCD, offering hope and practical guidance for those affected.

In This Episode

• [00:00:01] Introduction to magical thinking OCD  
• [00:02:15] Understanding magical thinking OCD  
• [00:03:44] Examples of magical thinking OCD  
• [00:05:17] Distinction between superstitions and OCD  
• [00:06:01] Impact on functioning and quality of life  
• [00:08:08] Urgency in OCD compulsions  
• [00:10:06] Internal vs. external compulsions  
• [00:10:59] Treatment options for magical thinking OCD  
• [00:11:34] Explaining exposure and response prevention  
• [00:14:15] Cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD  
• [00:16:29] Tracing the origin of OCD compulsions  
• [00:17:32] Addressing the possibility of harm  
• [00:19:06] Relevance of possibility in OCD  
• [00:19:15] Understanding Inference in OCD  
• [00:20:55] The role of personal experience  
• [00:22:01] Contextual factors in OCD  
• [00:23:25] Belief formation in OCD  
• [00:25:00] Complexity of OCD treatment  
• [00:26:14] Compassion in therapy  
• [00:27:06] Finding the right treatment  
• [00:28:08] Connecting with Dr. Regina Lazarovich

 

Notable Quotes

• [00:07:22] “It’s not about the superstition itself but the intense fear and urgency. With OCD, it’s like something catastrophic will happen if the ritual isn’t done.” -Kristina 
• [00:13:37] “In ERP, we face the fear systematically, like writing the lyrics of an 'unlucky' song, then listening to it, all while not engaging in compulsions. It’s about regaining control over life.” - Dr. Regina Lazarovich 
• [00:16:29] “With ICBT, we trace back to when the compulsion started. It’s often rooted in something deeply understandable, like a childhood fear. Once we understand it, we stop falling for OCD's 'trick.'” - Dr. Regina Lazarovich
• [00:19:15] “An inference is an educated guess based on evidence. With OCD, we over-rely on possibility and dismiss actual evidence. Slowing down can help us make better-informed conclusions.” - Kristina
• [00:27:49] “It’s not about making OCD disappear but transforming your relationship with it. You learn to live your l