Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to spending time with her family during the festive period, but notes one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by using her earplugs - particularly at the holiday meal.
For her, Christmas often feels like a especially challenging period as the noises of people eating, slurping and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.
"There's this wave of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just tense up and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to manage these sounds."
Lottie has suffered from sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that makes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, especially noises coming from other people.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts found almost one in five people are affected by it.
Typically it's noises linked to eating or drinking that cause distress, as well as things like crunching, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "I face so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee others enjoy themselves."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can transform into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.
Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can provoke a strong emotional response that can even lead to them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with misophonia since aged 10, states currently her plan is to use headphones to cope. On any other day, she would often retreat in a separate space to minimize distressing triggers.
She says her condition is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to socialize with loved ones, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Handle It
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Imagine Something Else: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound causing distress with a neutral concept. For instance, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a game with the person. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt joining in. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not in good health or maybe they're upset. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. While the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
