Four Reasons why OCD can be aggravated by the Holidays
The disruption of routine and challenges of family gatherings, travel, and monetary pressures, can greatly intensify Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD primarily presents as a need to find calm and control during uncertain circumstances. The more new variables at play - which abound during a holiday - the more likely it is that an individual will lean more heavily on unhealthy coping strategies.
These are the top four ways in which I see the holiday season cause discomfort for OCD-sufferers.
More family togetherness can lead to more observable compulsions.
When an OCD individual spends a greater amount of time around their family members, those around them may observe compulsions (including the rigidity of avoidance) that normal life circumstances allow a person to keep more secret. Our loved one with OCD may or may not be doing more compulsions, but they certainly can seem to be. The complicated intersection of increased time, exposure, and new triggers can cause a considerable uptick in OCD behaviors, especially from the point of view of family members.
Travel can provoke a sense of unreality or cause compensatory rigidity.
While many individuals with OCD love the idea of travel, in practice, being in a new location can give the unsettling feeling of being in a dream, not being oneself, or being detached from reality. This form of OCD is known as existential type, and can also be sparked by challenges in a different environment. Similarly, when we are out of our element of comfort, our OCD may make us overly rigid to compensate for this seeming loss of control.
Family members or a childhood space can trigger trauma memories.
Some OCD symptoms may originate from trauma during our early years. While the compulsive behavior has perhaps long departed from its origin, being back in the place or with the people wherein the behavior began can be reinforcing. For example, for adults with social anxiety, being back in their hometown can bring back strong memories of being socially excluded in high school. Any proximity to our trauma can lead to greater “safety” behaviors, most commonly compulsions.
Even positive experiences can be stressors, and most stressors cause an uptick in OCD behaviors.
A common misconception is that stressors must always be negative events. A stressor is simply an external force that the person may psychologically experience as demanding or challenging. Even positive experiences like moving to an exciting new home, vacationing, or spending time with beloved family over the holidays can be stressors. Simply put: when more is asked of us, even in a positive form, we often react by entrenching ourselves into our maladaptive behaviors.
Kairos Wellness Collective recognizes that our clients need support during the holidays. We have staff therapists available to provide OCD Treatment throughout the holiday season, and are available to take on new clients. Please contact Chelsea in the office for more details.
