Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman anticipates seeing her loved ones during the festive period, but notes one of the only ways she'll endure is by using her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.
For her, this time of year is a particularly difficult time as the noises of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing trigger extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this feeling of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to manage these triggers."
The individual has experienced this condition from a young age and for her that renders the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, especially noises coming from other people.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Researchers reported nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful season can transform into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can provoke a powerful reaction that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a young adult, who has struggled with misophonia since aged 10, says the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Typically, she would frequently go in a separate space to avoid problematic noises.
She notes her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"People assume you to socialize with family, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."
A Few Techniques to Handle It
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Imagine an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Work on connecting the specific noise affecting you with a neutral concept. So for example, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game with the culprit. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the competition element should help distract your brain and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: A further strategy is to try to invent a reason about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound stays the same, your reaction of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
