Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
One young woman is looking forward to being with her loved ones over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by wearing her earplugs - especially during the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a particularly difficult time as the sounds of other people chewing, drinking noisily and sniffling trigger extremely uncomfortable.
"I experience this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
The individual has suffered from sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that causes the holiday period "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, notably sounds made by other people.
The condition is widespread across the population. A study reported almost one in five people experience it.
Typically it's sounds associated with bodily functions that cause distress, including things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to guarantee others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the supposedly joyous period can transform into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a powerful reaction that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a young adult, who has experienced sound sensitivity for over a decade, says currently her plan is to listen to music to cope. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers.
She explains her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"There's an expectation to socialize with family, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Cope
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, according to experts.
- Visualise Something Else: Mental imagery is key. Attempt to link the particular sound bothering you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a competition involving the source. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Develop a Narrative: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not at their best or could be emotional. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. While the sound remains identical, your interpretation of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.