Magic Thinking

[Giraffe2]

I have been struggling with anxiety and ongoing fear; mainly around the fact that I’m terrified something is going to happen to my kids. Seemingly “unrealistic” thoughts, though they seem very probable to me (school shootings, a car accident, etc).

I recently started seeing a Psychiatrist. I’ve described how often these thoughts become so intrusive on great days (awesome time with my kids, great day at work, etc). I then feel like things are “too good”, and I sit thinking of all the tragic things that can (and in my mind will) happen. I then try to self-sabotage my own happiness in a way. I’ll take minor things that would make me a little happy (have a glass of wine after dinner, listen to music, etc) and not let myself do them bc I think by doing them, I’ll be making things too good and then something horrible is bound to happen. My Psychiatrist called this “Magic thinking”. Does anyone have any experience with it? Or any tips I can try to stop it? Thanks in advance.

[Kainan]

Hi. I can relate to what you said. I used to, and for a very long time, deny myself simple pleasures, like going out for a meal, simply because things didn't go as I had planned them to. And because of that, I told myself I didn't deserve it. And in the long run, I found that I couldn't enjoy anything at all, not even things that could make me happy. My point is that it doesn't serve us any good to continue denying ourselves little things that could take the edge off, if only for a moment. It's part of self care, and we need to take care of ourselves.

[Icanbeathis2016]

You are definitely not alone. I often wondered was there a term or some kind of name for that kind of thinking. And I often wondered do other people think like me. Now I know I'm not alone. And now I can call it Magic Thinking