Yuletide Transforms Into a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her relatives during the festive period, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by using her earplugs - especially during Christmas dinner.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a especially challenging period as the noises of other people chewing, sipping loudly and sniffling make her feel profound anxiety.
"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my whole body will just tighten and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
The individual has suffered from misophonia for several years and for her that makes the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds made by other people.
It's surprisingly common in the UK. A study found nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Typically it's noises connected to eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, along with things like chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "I face so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My family are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful season can rapidly become a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains currently her plan is to use headphones to get through dinner. Usually, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape triggering sounds.
She explains her condition is worse around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "hard".
"There is pressure to be around family, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
A Few Techniques to Handle It
For those affected then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Creative thinking is essential. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the culprit. For example, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you a little less affected.
- Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not at their best or maybe they're upset. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
