Yuletide Transforms Into a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
One young woman hopes for being with her loved ones during the festive period, but admits a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - especially during Christmas dinner.
For her, this time of year can be a particularly difficult season as the noises of other people chewing, sipping loudly and nose-blowing trigger profound anxiety.
"I experience this sensation of instant dread, my every muscle will just tense up and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
She has lived with sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that makes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, notably sounds coming from other people.
It is prevalent amongst adults. Experts reported nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Often it's sounds connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, along with examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
Lottie says: "There are so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you dread it.
"My relatives are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy period can transform into a source of agony for sufferers.
Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can provoke a powerful reaction that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with sound sensitivity from childhood, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to avoid triggering sounds.
She explains her condition is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to be around family, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Several Strategies to Manage
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the triggering sound affecting you with a neutral concept. So for example, try to picture someone's slurping is just a waterfall. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the culprit. For example, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your reaction of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
