Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
One young woman anticipates seeing her relatives this Christmas, but admits a key strategy she'll endure is by wearing her hearing protection - notably for the main festive feast.
In her case, Christmas often feels like a notably tough period as the sounds of family members munching, drinking noisily and breathing heavily cause her profound anxiety.
"I experience this sensation of immediate anxiety, my entire being will just tighten and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to stop these noises."
Lottie has lived with sound sensitivity for several years and for her that causes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, particularly those coming from other people.
It is prevalent amongst adults. Experts reported nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Typically it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that cause distress, as well as things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"My family are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into a living nightmare for affected individuals.
Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a powerful reaction that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with misophonia since aged 10, says currently her plan is to use headphones to cope. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to escape distressing triggers.
She notes her condition is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"People assume you to spend time with family, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then the stress response will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and overreacting, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Handle It
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, according to clinical psychologists.
- Picture Something Else: Creative thinking is key. Try to associate the particular sound causing distress with an unrelated image. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or could be emotional. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
