The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie hopes for spending time with her loved ones over the holidays, but admits a key strategy she'll cope is by wearing her hearing protection - particularly at Christmas dinner.
In her case, the holidays often feels like a especially challenging period as the noises of family members munching, sipping loudly and nose-blowing cause her intense distress.
"I get this feeling of instant dread, my whole body will just freeze and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to manage these noises."
Lottie has experienced sound sensitivity for several years and for her that renders the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, particularly those made by individuals.
The condition is widespread in the UK. A study reported a significant portion of people experience it.
Typically it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, along with examples such as chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
She explains: "There are so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are aware, 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 quickly turn into a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises 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 lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says her strategy is to listen to music to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a different room to avoid distressing triggers.
She notes her condition is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and burst into tears and then the stress response will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Handle It
For those affected then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, according to experts.
- Imagine Something Else: Creative thinking is crucial. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with something completely different. As an illustration, try to envision someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. As an example, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By joining in, rather than 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 slightly more tolerant.
- Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to create a little story about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not at their best or are troubled. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. While the sound remains identical, your understanding of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
