Christmas Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old hopes for seeing her family during the festive period, but admits a primary method she'll cope is by using her earplugs - especially during Christmas dinner.
For her, this time of year often feels like a particularly difficult time as the sounds of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my whole body will just freeze and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these noises."
She has suffered from misophonia for several years and for her that causes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those coming from individuals.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. A study discovered a significant portion of people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds associated with bodily functions that trigger a reaction, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy period can quickly turn into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a powerful reaction that can even cause them skipping events entirely.
She, a university student, who has struggled with sound sensitivity for over a decade, states her strategy is to put her earphones in to cope. Usually, she would frequently go in a separate space to minimize problematic noises.
She explains her condition is worse around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to spend time 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 awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will activate.
"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."
Several Strategies to Manage
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Visualise Something Else: Creative thinking is crucial. Try to associate the specific noise affecting you with something completely different. So for example, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a competition involving the source. For example, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not in good health or are troubled. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
