Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old hopes for spending time with her family over the holidays, but says a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the holiday meal.
In her case, the holidays is a particularly difficult season as the sounds of family members munching, slurping and sniffling trigger profound anxiety.
"I experience this sensation of immediate anxiety, my entire being will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to stop these triggers."
She has suffered from 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.
It is prevalent in the UK. Researchers reported a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Typically it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, along with things like crunching, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the supposedly joyous period can quickly turn into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a visceral feeling that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a university student, who has experienced misophonia for over a decade, states currently her plan is to use headphones to get through dinner. Usually, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape distressing triggers.
She notes her condition is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Handle It
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is key. Attempt to link the particular sound bothering you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to create a little story about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. For example if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not in good health or are troubled. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound remains identical, your interpretation of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
