Christmas Transforms Into a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old hopes for being with her family over the holidays, but admits a primary method she'll cope is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the main festive feast.
For her, the holidays often feels like a notably tough period as the noises of other people chewing, slurping and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.
"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
The individual has lived with this condition for several years and for her that causes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, especially noises coming from other people.
It is prevalent in the UK. A study reported a significant portion of people experience it.
Typically it's noises connected to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, along with examples such as chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "I face 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 supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.
Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them skipping events entirely.
She, a young adult, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, states currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. Usually, she would often retreat in a quiet area to escape problematic noises.
She says her misophonia is worse around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to spend time with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then the stress response will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
A Few Techniques to Handle It
For those affected then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Imagine a Different Scenario: Imagination is essential. Try to associate the specific noise affecting you with something completely different. So for example, try to envision someone's slurping is just a waterfall. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a game involving the source. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at copying the noise. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is behaving that way. For example if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your understanding of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
