When taboo intrusive thoughts show up during the holidays

For many people, the holidays are a time of connection—a time to cook favorite recipes together, take group photos, exchange gifts, and make memories. But if you're dealing with taboo intrusive thoughts, this increased time spent together can feel terrifying. OCD can weaponize moments of closeness and celebration against us, bringing on a surge of intrusive thoughts that feel disturbing, frightening, or deeply confusing. Thoughts about things you'd never want to do and feelings you'd never want to feel can show up out of nowhere and stick, making it hard to feel present for the moments that matter most. Learn how taboo OCD can show up during the holidays, and how you can learn ways to stay present and connected, even when OCD gets loud.

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Booknerd7

Date posted: 2d

I’m kinda struggling. I had taboo intrusive thoughts during the holiday. They used to give me INTENSE anxiety to the point where I couldn’t sleep. Now that I’m somewhat more “used” to them I guess (?), they don’t scare me as much anymore. They are still annoying, they still cause me distress, and honestly it made my time with family much less enjoyable. But I get scared like, am I slowly turning evil??? Is it a bad sign that the thoughts don’t give me such intense anxiety like they used to?? That in itself gives me anxiety

Steven12

Date posted: 18h

@Booknerd7 I know how you feel. I think like me you’re going through a phase where your body recognizes that these thoughts are actually not that dangerous. It’s a good thing that you don’t respond to them in the same way. I’ve been through the “oh what does it mean that I don’t react like I used to” thoughts. But that is just a new theme. Our bodies start recognizing the OCD lie and so the amygdala will send something else to get your attention back. All the amygdala wants is attention and when you get used to one thing it sends another. All of these themes are the same thing just your amygdala trying to grab your attention. When I think of that then it’s easier for me to not interact with it and try to focus on something else. Stay strong.

jvelez

Date posted: 17h

@Anonymous This is great advice! Stay strong. We’re in this together :)

Anonymous

Date posted: 2d

Ive been dealing with intrusive thoughts on and off all year about hurting my kids like if I lost control of myself.It causes anxiety,shame and a lost of connection to the feeling of love.I handle it by reminding myself it'll pass and that it's not me which works for ths most part but some days the thoughts are more stuck than others and the anxiety is worse especially when I fell like am I becoming a monster or something. I wonder if I have mental issues are is drinking alchol destroying my brain.I also have a strong feeling of sadness come over me sometimes like an emptiness

Steven12

Date posted: 18h

@Anonymous I struggle with the same type of thoughts with my kids. It makes me want to avoid interactions that I used to have with them and that can make me feel down. Mainly the comparison of what I’m going through now and how I used to feel. It’s been very helpful lately though to understand that I’m still the same person and I still have the same love for them but currently my amygdala is sending me these intrusive thoughts because it thinks I’m in danger. The amygdala does not know better, it just wants attention, and it gets the most attention by showing us the most shocking things that are against who we are. It’s been helpful to recognize the thoughts but not interact with it. Also doing the opposite of what the amygdala/OCD wants. So if I have an intrusive thought while I’m putting my kids down, I’ll give them a kiss on the cheek, I’m showing my amygdala/OCD that I’m safe, and they are safe from me. It’s repetitive practice that seems to help. Now when I get an intrusive thought I just try to say to myself “oh there goes the sensitive amygdala alarm” then try to do what non anxious me would do. These thoughts do pass but they may also come up again but at least I know what it is and it’s not actually something that is dangerous. Hope this helps, stay strong!

anglucier

Date posted: 2d

There is no information when you click on the boxes.

jvelez

Date posted: Yesterday

There’s no info!

Anonymous

Date posted: 5h

Family gatherings have been hard for me for years because of this... Not even because I have thoughts about anyone there, but because the feeling that I'm actually a monster and they'd all hate me if they knew what's gone through my head is so overwhelming.

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