Yuletide Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
One young woman anticipates being with her family during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll cope is by using her hearing protection - especially during the holiday meal.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a notably tough season as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and sniffling make her feel intense distress.
"I experience this sensation of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
Lottie has experienced this condition since she was 16 and for her that renders the holiday period "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, particularly those made by other people.
It is prevalent across the population. Researchers reported a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Typically it's sounds connected to eating or drinking that cause distress, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the supposedly joyous time of the year can transform into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a young adult, who has experienced misophonia from childhood, says her strategy is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to minimize problematic noises.
She says her sensitivity is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There's an expectation to socialize with loved ones, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then the stress response will take over.
"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
A Few Techniques to Handle It
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Imagine an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the triggering sound causing distress with something completely different. So for example, try to envision someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a competition involving the source. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly try copying the noise. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to create a little story about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not in good health or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
