Yuletide Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones during the festive period, but notes a key strategy she'll endure is by using her hearing protection - particularly at the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, Christmas often feels like a notably tough season as the sounds of people eating, slurping and sniffling make her feel profound anxiety.
"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my whole body will just tense up and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to manage these noises."
The individual has suffered from sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that renders the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds made by other people.
It's surprisingly common across the population. Researchers reported almost one in five people are affected by it.
Often it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, as well as things like chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the supposedly joyous time of the year can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a powerful reaction that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
Jenna, a university student, who has experienced misophonia since aged 10, says the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to manage the meal. On any other day, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape distressing triggers.
She says her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"People assume you to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"It's like this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then panic will activate.
"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's hard to explain unless you've experienced it."
A Few Techniques to Handle It
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Imagination is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with something completely different. So for example, try to picture someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a competition involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Develop a Narrative: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound remains identical, your interpretation of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
