Christmas Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
One young woman hopes for being with her loved ones this Christmas, but says one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her earplugs - especially during the main festive feast.
For her, the holidays is a especially challenging time as the sounds of people eating, sipping loudly and sniffling trigger intense distress.
"There's this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to stop these sounds."
The individual has experienced misophonia from a young age and for her that causes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those produced by individuals.
It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Researchers reported nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Frequently it's sounds associated with bodily functions that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you fear it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the supposedly joyous period can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can provoke a powerful reaction that can even lead to them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a young adult, who has experienced misophonia since aged 10, states the approach she intends to use is to listen to music to get through dinner. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to avoid triggering sounds.
She explains her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "hard".
"There's an expectation to spend time with loved ones, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then the stress response will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Handle It
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is crucial. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game involving the source. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound stays the same, your reaction of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
