Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her family over the holidays, but admits a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her hearing protection - especially during the main festive feast.
In her case, the holidays can be a especially challenging period as the sounds of other people chewing, slurping and breathing heavily make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"I experience this feeling of instant dread, my every muscle will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to stop these noises."
Lottie has experienced this condition for several years and for her that makes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those coming from those around you.
It's surprisingly common across the population. Researchers found almost one in five people are affected by it.
Typically it's noises associated with eating or drinking that cause distress, as well as examples such as chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "There are so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to guarantee everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a living nightmare for sufferers.
Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can provoke a powerful reaction that can even cause them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia since aged 10, says currently her plan is to listen to music to cope. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to escape distressing triggers.
She explains her condition is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Manage
For those affected then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise Something Else: Imagination is key. Try to associate the triggering sound affecting you with something completely different. For instance, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a competition with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at mimicking the sound. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is behaving that way. So if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or are troubled. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
