The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie anticipates being with her relatives during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll endure is by using her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the main festive feast.
In her case, Christmas often feels like a notably tough season as the noises of people eating, slurping and sniffling cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these noises."
She has suffered from this condition from a young age and for her that causes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, particularly those made by individuals.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts discovered a significant portion of people suffer from it.
Typically it's noises linked to eating or drinking that cause distress, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can rapidly become a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can trigger a strong emotional response that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, says currently her plan is to listen to music to cope. Typically, she would frequently go in a separate space to minimize distressing triggers.
She notes her misophonia is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain unless you've experienced it."
Several Strategies to Cope
For those affected then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, according to specialists.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is essential. Attempt to link the specific noise affecting you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a challenge involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt joining in. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or are troubled. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
