Holiday Triggers in OCD: Supportive Tools for the Season – Part 2
In my last post, I talked about why OCD can flare up during the holidays and other high-stress seasons. In this post, I want to focus on something just as important: how to prepare for those stressful moments—like Christmas or any big event—that might trigger an OCD spike.
Start With Honesty
The first step is being honest with yourself. Certain events might trigger your OCD. That’s a real possibility, and it’s also something you can’t control. We can’t control our emotions, and we definitely can’t control our intrusive thoughts—those are the very first thoughts that pop into your mind before the obsessing starts. Everyone gets intrusive thoughts, not just people with OCD. Seriously—everyone.
Think of the random “What if…?” thoughts you’ve had while doing something totally normal:
“What if I drove my car off this cliff?”
“What if I hurt my pet?”
“What if I accidentally offended her?”
These are the kinds of thoughts that both my clients with and without OCD share with me. The mind is a chaotic place; thoughts fly in from everywhere. The difference is that people without OCD usually shrug them off without effort. They think, “Weird thought,” and move on—sometimes so quickly they don’t even notice they’re doing it.
People with OCD, on the other hand, stop and analyze.
“What does this mean about me?”
“Does this make me a bad person?”
And that’s where the spiral starts. When you give these thoughts importance, your brain labels them as relevant and sends you even more of them. So yes—someone with OCD can end up experiencing more intrusive thoughts simply because their brain is trying to help in the wrong way.
You Can’t Control the Thoughts—But You Can Choose How You Respond
So here’s the key: the intrusive thoughts themselves are out of your control. But how you respond? That’s where you have choice. I’ve talked about healthy responses in previous posts, but for now let’s talk about preparing your mindset before the stress hits.
Drop the Fight
If intrusive thoughts are out of your control, stop trying to control them. Be honest with yourself so you’re not going into battle with your own mind. When you fight your thoughts or try to force them away, you actually make them louder.
Think about the classic “Don’t think of a pink elephant” example. The moment someone tells you not to think about it—bam, pink elephant. OCD works the same way. If you tell yourself, “I cannot have OCD thoughts at Christmas,” you’re basically telling your brain, “These thoughts are super dangerous and important.” And your brain responds by… sending more of them.
The paradox is that when you stop trying to control whether you have intrusive thoughts—and you accept that an OCD spike might happen—your brain starts to see those thoughts as less important. And that actually lowers your chances of having a spike.
Acceptance Does Not Mean Giving Up
But here’s the tricky part: you can’t “fake” acceptance. You can’t say, “Okay, fine, I accept it… so that it goes away.” That’s still part of the OCD loop: anytime you are trying to get rid of thoughts or feelings, you will probably get caught in the OCD cycle. Acceptance only works when it’s genuine—when you acknowledge the truth:
There is a risk your OCD might flare up during important moments. Events like Christmas, birthdays, and anniversaries are classic triggers for people with OCD. This is the reality, and ruminating or doing compulsions doesn’t keep you safe from the possibility.
When you stop fighting that reality, you ruminate less, you avoid the mental tug-of-war, and you’re not blindsided if a spike shows up.
Shift the Internal Dialogue
A lot of panic happens when intrusive thoughts or anxiety appear at moments we didn’t expect.
“Why am I anxious right now? I was just fine.”
“Where did that thought even come from?”
“Oh no, not now, I’m supposed to be enjoying myself.”
But with honesty and acceptance, we aren’t surprised when OCD arrives to the party so to speak. The inner dialogue changes.
It becomes more grounded:
“Oh yeah, of course, OCD is popping up now. That makes sense.”
“Yep, OCD loves to show up at inconvenient times.”
“There’s the intrusive thought I knew might happen.”
This gentle, realistic mindset doesn’t eliminate OCD—but it keeps it from running the show.
Putting It All Together
Before the triggering event, practice saying to yourself:
“There is a risk I could have an OCD spike.”
Say it once,
Then move on.
Don’t analyze it.
Don’t predict the future.
Don’t try to outsmart OCD.
Practicing Acceptance in Real Time
Your brain will want to drag you into “But what if…?” territory. That’s expected. Gently remind yourself that there are endless possibilities for how any moment could unfold. Trying to predict or control them isn’t possible—and it isn’t helpful.
Then, practice giving attention to what you actually want to do. Not to OCD.
And if intrusive thoughts show up during the event (because honestly, when is there ever a convenient time for them?), you simply acknowledge them and return to the moment. It’s similar to being in a noisy restaurant—the background noise is there, but you’re choosing to focus on the person sitting across from you. You don’t demand that everyone be quiet, and you don’t lean in to listen to every conversation around you. You let the noise exist, and you place your attention where you want it.
OCD works the same way. Intrusive thoughts can be there in the background, but you allow them to exist without engaging, and gently shift your focus back to what matters to you. With time and practice, OCD starts to leave your awareness, especially when redirecting your attention is paired with an attitude of accepting the presence of OCD.
I’ll talk more about practical ways to prepare for the holidays and other stressful events in my next blog. Stay tuned.
Therapy for OCD in Boston and Los Angeles
If you’re noticing your OCD shows up more during Christmas or the holiday season, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not doing anything wrong. Times that carry more meaning, pressure, or disruption to routine often make intrusive thoughts louder and rumination easier to fall into.
Jen Lescher LCSW, offers therapy for OCD in Boston and Los Angeles, supporting individuals who want to step out of overthinking and build a steadier relationship with their thoughts. As an OCD therapist, my approach focuses on helping clients disengage from mental compulsions, strengthen self-trust, and respond to OCD with more clarity and confidence—especially during high-stress or emotionally charged times of year.
OCD therapy isn’t about trying to feel calm all the time or making intrusive thoughts disappear. It’s about learning how to let thoughts come and go without getting pulled into cycles of rumination, reassurance-seeking, or self-doubt—so you can stay present with what actually matters to you, even during the holidays.
Finding Support When OCD Feels Louder During the Holidays
If you’re interested in OCD therapy in Boston or Los Angeles, I offer a thoughtful, collaborative approach to working with intrusive thoughts, rumination, and uncertainty. Therapy at Jen Lescher LCSW focuses on helping you relate differently to OCD, so it takes up less space in your life, rather than trying to eliminate thoughts or force certainty.
Reach out to learn more about working together or to schedule a consultation.
Explore my blogs and resources for more information on OCD.
See whether this approach to OCD therapy feels like a good fit.
Other Resources I Recommend
Alongside individual OCD therapy, I offer additional resources that many people find helpful as they learn more about their patterns and experiences. On the Common OCD Themes page, you’ll find clear, compassionate explanations of the thoughts and behaviors that show up for a lot of people with OCD—often bringing a sense of relief and recognition.
I also created an OCD and Social Life page, where I talk about the very real challenges of navigating friendships, dating, and relationships when OCD or anxiety is in the mix. These resources are here to complement our work together, offering practical guidance and supportive insights you can return to anytime.
About the Author: OCD Therapist in Boston
Hi, I’m Jen.
I’m a therapist, coffee enthusiast (honestly, it’s my favorite ritual of the day), and a big believer in finding small moments of presence—whether that’s through mindfulness, photography, or a quiet walk with my camera in hand. Photography helps me stay grounded and see the world with a little more curiosity, and that same mindset shows up in my work with clients.
I’ve been drawn to spirituality and healing work since I was a teenager, exploring everything from meditation to energy practices. But I’m also someone who loves blasting music in the car and getting lost in a true crime podcast. I think healing can include both stillness and movement, reflection and laughter. Therapy should have room for all of that. Since 2007, I’ve worked in a range of mental health settings, which taught me that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s personal, evolving, and sometimes messy—but always possible.
Training & Background:
Inference-Based CBT (ICBT) for OCD – The OCD Training School & The Cognitive Behavioral Institute
Certified in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) – The Cognitive Behavioral Institute
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level
Master’s in Social Work – Portland State University, 2012
