Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old hopes for being with her family over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a particularly difficult time as the sounds of people eating, slurping and sniffling cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"I experience this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just tense up and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to stop these sounds."
The individual has suffered from misophonia since she was 16 and for her that makes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those coming from those around you.
It's surprisingly common across the population. A study discovered almost one in five people experience it.
Typically it's sounds connected to bodily functions that cause distress, including things like crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "I face so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the supposedly joyous season can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can provoke a visceral feeling that can even result in them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a university student, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, explains the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Typically, she would frequently go in a different room to escape distressing triggers.
She explains her condition is more intense around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to be around loved ones, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"It's like this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then panic will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's hard to explain unless you've experienced it."
Several Strategies to Cope
For those affected then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Work on connecting the triggering sound bothering you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not feeling well or could be emotional. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your reaction of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
