Christmas Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie anticipates spending time with her loved ones this Christmas, but admits one of the only ways she'll endure is by using her hearing protection - especially during the holiday meal.
For the 23-year-old, the holidays is a particularly difficult season as the sounds of other people chewing, sipping loudly and nose-blowing trigger profound anxiety.
"I get this wave of sudden panic, my entire being will just tense up and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to manage these noises."
The individual has experienced misophonia for several years and for her that renders the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, particularly those produced by other people.
It is prevalent in the UK. A study reported almost one in five people experience it.
Frequently it's noises connected to eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, including things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to ensure others enjoy themselves."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful season can transform into a source of agony for affected individuals.
Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says her strategy is to use headphones to manage the meal. Typically, she would often retreat in a separate space to avoid distressing triggers.
She notes her misophonia is worse around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"People assume you to socialize with loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will activate.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Cope
For those affected then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by clinical psychologists.
- Imagine Something Else: Imagination is crucial. Try to associate the particular sound affecting you with something completely different. For instance, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the culprit. For example, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help distract your brain 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 doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
