Yuletide Can Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie anticipates spending time with her relatives over the holidays, but admits one of the only ways she'll cope is by using her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the main festive feast.
For her, the holidays often feels like a particularly difficult season as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my whole body will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to stop these noises."
The individual has lived with misophonia from a young age and for her that renders the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds made by those around you.
The condition is widespread across the population. Researchers found a significant portion of people experience it.
Often it's noises connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, as well as things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy period can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can provoke a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a university student, who has experienced sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains currently her plan is to listen to music to get through dinner. Typically, she would often retreat in a different room to minimize triggering sounds.
She explains her sensitivity is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There's an expectation to socialize with family, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Cope
If you suffer then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is key. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to picture someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Try a Competition: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the culprit. As an example, if someone is eating noisily attempt mimicking the sound. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise remains identical, your reaction of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
