“Holiday Stress with OCD and Anxiety: Why It Feels So Overwhelming”
This is not just another post about holiday stress.
Let’s talk about the unspoken stress of the holidays when you’re living with an anxiety disorder.
The season often brings family, gatherings, and expectations — but for people with anxiety or OCD, it can also bring a surge of symptoms, worry, and self-criticism.
Social Anxiety
The holidays often mean reconnecting with family you haven’t seen since last year. Suddenly, there’s pressure to say the right thing and appear like you have it all together.
You might find yourself rehearsing conversations in your head or worrying how others will perceive your work, relationships, or life choices — all while trying to hide how anxious you feel inside.
Panic
There’s the sense of inescapability.
You arrive with your loved ones, and the energy, chaos, or drama starts to rise. The “what ifs” appear:
What if I feel trapped? What if I get hot, dizzy, or short of breath?
The fear of having a panic attack in front of others can make even the most joyful gatherings feel unbearable.
Health Anxiety / Emetophobia
Maybe Grandma offers you her famous pecan pie — and your brain immediately flashes to an article you read about foodborne bacteria.
You start worrying about nausea, contamination, or what might happen if you get sick. For people who struggle with health anxiety or emetophobia, these worries can take over moments that are supposed to feel comforting.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
You’re hosting this year, and it’s consuming every ounce of energy. You’ve spent the week rearranging decor, compulsively checking the appliances, and trying to make everything “just right.”
Underneath all of it is the thought: If I can control this, maybe I can prevent something bad from happening — or maybe people will be happy.
By the time guests arrive, you’re already exhausted.
And then there’s the gift giving — a value you care about deeply — but perfectionism and decision paralysis can turn what used to be joy into stress.
When the Holidays and Anxiety Collide
Holidays naturally come with stress, but when you add OCD and anxiety spectrum disorders, it can feel like the perfect storm.
If this resonates, please know: you’re not alone — and there are tools that can help you reclaim these moments rather than avoid them.
In upcoming posts, I’ll share ways to manage these triggers through evidence-based strategies from ERP and ACT that can help you reconnect with what matters most, even when anxiety shows up.
Anxiety may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define the season ahead.
Together, we can work toward freedom from avoidance and fear — one step at a time.
If you are ready to take the next step, you can read more About my services above, or schedule a free 15 min consultation call below.
