Christmas Can Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old hopes for seeing her family during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll endure is by using her earplugs - particularly at the main festive feast.
For her, this time of year can be a notably tough period as the auditory triggers of people eating, drinking noisily and nose-blowing make her feel profound anxiety.
"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tense up and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these noises."
She has suffered from sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that makes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, particularly those made by those around you.
It is prevalent across the population. A study discovered nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Often it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that cause distress, as well as examples such as crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you fear 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 sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy period can quickly turn into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a strong emotional response that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to get through dinner. On any other day, she would often retreat in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers.
She explains her misophonia is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"It's like this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Cope
For those affected then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Creative thinking is key. Try to associate the specific noise affecting you with something completely different. For instance, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the person. As an 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 redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person making the noise is doing it. So if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your understanding of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
