Christmas Transforms Into a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie anticipates spending time with her family over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll endure is by wearing her hearing protection - notably for the holiday meal.
In her case, Christmas often feels like a notably tough period as the noises of people eating, sipping loudly and sniffling make her feel intense distress.
"I get this feeling of sudden panic, my entire being will just tighten and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these noises."
The individual has suffered from this condition from a young age and for her that makes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, notably sounds made by individuals.
It is prevalent across the population. A study discovered almost one in five people experience it.
Often it's noises linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, along with examples such as crunching, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid 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 managing my symptoms to guarantee everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful period can transform into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even lead to them skipping events entirely.
The student, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity since aged 10, states the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to cope. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to minimize triggering sounds.
She explains her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then the stress response will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Handle It
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is crucial. Attempt to link the particular sound bothering you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to picture someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game involving the source. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or could be emotional. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your understanding of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
